Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
G emma tilted her head to the side. She was certain she had misheard the gentleman, or at least misunderstood what he had said. Was he referring to the situation with Mr Jordan? She couldn’t see what other situation he meant, yet why he would wish to talk about it made absolutely no sense. After all, it wasn’t like he’d made any attempt to help Mr Jordan.
“I’m sorry,” she said, still fighting to keep a smile fixed on her face. “I’m not exactly sure I understand what you mean.”
“Perhaps it would be better to talk about it in the kitchen?”
She fought down a scoff. “The kitchen? No. The kitchen is for staff only.”
“I understand that but?—”
“It sounds a little like you have a problem with how I run my cafe?”
The man sniffed. “At this precise moment, yes, I do.”
His words were muttered, spoken under his breath, yet more than loud enough for Gemma to hear. Her blood began to boil.
Any benefit of the doubt had been erased. This customer was not a nice person. They had not said something without thinking, then hurriedly wished to backtrack or profusely apologise. They were entitled and rude and not the type of person she wanted to waste her time on any longer. Her jaws ground tightly together as she reached down and snatched the menu back off the table.
“I’m sorry, I’m afraid we’re not serving right now,” she said.
The man raised his eyebrows. “Excuse me. What are you talking about?”
“Let me make myself a little clearer. We’re not serving you right now,” she said. “Or ever, actually. You’re not welcome. You need to leave.”
The man’s lips parted. Though rather than looking angry or even continuing his confused expression, a smile curled up on the corner of his lips.
“Oh, I think you may have misunderstood me here,” he said.
“No, I don’t think so,” Gemma replied. “I understood you perfectly well. You were incredibly clear. You had to wait an extra three minutes for me to come over here and give you a menu because I wanted to prioritise an old man’s health. An old man who I happen to be very fond of. Who comes into this café every day and is nothing but polite and kind? Two things that you are clearly not. This is why I am telling you that you will not be served in this café. Not now. Not ever.”
Even though Gemma’s eyes remained locked on the man’s, she could feel the rest of the customers staring at her. If she turned around, she suspected she would see Sophie behind the counter, gawping wide-eyed. It wouldn’t be a surprise. Gemma had never spoken to a customer in that manner before, or any other person, for that matter. But she was furious.
Someone thinking a cappuccino was more important than coming to the aid of an elderly man made her feel near nauseous, and it was taking all her strength to control the tremble in her hand.
“You need to leave now,” she said. “I will not ask you again.”
And yet the man did not so much as stand.
“Like I said before, you seem to have misunderstood. I’m not here for coffee and cake.”
For the first time, it was Gemma’s turn to feel confused.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean... exactly that. I’m Kent Parker.”
“Is that meant to mean something to me?” Gemma frowned.
“I’m Kent Parker. I’ll be taking over. Working in the kitchen. Does that ring any bells?”