The Unexpected Virtue of Another's Achievement
Original Publication 11/07/20
Photo courtesy of The Nook
It’s nearing midday on a Saturday. It’s the first truly pleasant day we’ve had for a few weeks now and, as I sit in a quaint little terrace that is the very definition of a “sun trap”, surrounded on all sides by a varying array of potted plants, an americano in my hand and nourishing plates of goodness in front of me; I feel at peace for the first time in a few days. Then, without warning, my mind drifts to endearing thoughts of friends and family and the experience we all shared over the last few months.
The terrace I sit in, you see, belongs to “The Nook”, a new brunch-style cafe in my hometown, owned and operated by my brother and his fiancee. The feeling I got as I stepped through the front door for the first time as a customer is a hard one to place. It’s somewhere between contentment and admiration.
Like countless other businesses across the country, their progress was stalled by the pandemic. Harsh? Indeed. Frustrating? Most certainly. But, rather than lick their wounds, they rolled up their sleeves and dug in, making use of the financial benefits afforded to them as business owners and finding the upside of exercising patience. As a result, their business received months of undivided attention and care, the likes of which may not have been possible otherwise.
With helping hands, they’ve built this place from what seemed like the ground up. The place was unceremoniously gutted when they took it over and it’s taken blood, sweat and tears to get it to the high standard it now boasts. Well, not literally, but you get the gist. They’re both fortunate enough to have a long list of committed friends and family who didn’t even think twice about lending a hand, in whatever capacity. Personal troubles were set aside, quarrels were put on the back burner, all were united in one common cause: to help their friend, son, brother, sister or daughter, fully realise their dream. Jaded by the monotony of lockdown, friends and family were buoyed by the simple pleasure of a hard day's work. What started off as a couples passion, evolved into a saving grace for many of us.
Personally, I found the whole process to be incredibly therapeutic. For half a day, I could unload my worries and my frustration and find solace in the mental distraction the work offered. I was able to divert my attention to another, my brother. It felt good, sharing the load, achieving that simple joy one feels by easing the pressure from the shoulders of a loved one. I benefited, he benefited, it was entirely a win-win situation.
In a country that already harbours countless cultural cuisines, there’s a rising appreciation for brunch to go alongside that. And why not? It’s delicious, no-nonsense food that brings a smile to your face and a feeling of satisfaction in your stomach. For those looking for hearty, locally sourced food, you’d be hard-pressed to find better value for your hard-earned money than “The Nook”, on Tontine Street in Folkestone.
