Chapter 46
CHAPTER 46
K ent had come prepared, with the prices of every drink from every coffee shop in Maldon on his tablet. Looking at the numbers like that, en masse in front of her, meant there was no denying it. They were missing out on some serious money.
“I just feel bad,” Gemma said honestly. “Some of the elderly people that come in can’t afford to pay much more, and a cup of tea in the cafe is often the highlight of their day. I really don’t want to take that away from them.”
Kent rested his chin on his knuckles as he stared at the prices.
“Okay, so why don’t we do a smaller size special? And we can do a loyalty card, so every twelve drinks, they get a free one.”
“Twelve? Five,” Gemma suggested.
“How about we meet in the middle—they buy nine and get the tenth free?”
She wasn’t exactly sure that was meeting in the middle, but it could work. It wouldn’t offset the hike in prices exactly, but it would make a difference.
“And we’ll tell people it’s coming. We can put a little leaflet on the table, saying that the price rise will be happening in one month due to the hike in the cost of living. Most places have already done it. I’m willing to bet the customers will be completely understanding.”
Gemma nodded thoughtfully. It was hard to ignore reality. She knew prices had gone up everywhere, but that was why she’d tried to avoid it at the cafe. Even with the loyalty card, there would be people affected by this. People who wouldn’t be able to afford their own drinks. She could subsidise them now and then, the way she did with Mr Jordan, but that wasn’t something she could do long term. Not with Kent, the owner and her boss, permanently on-site. She was still pondering that point when a thought struck her.
“Have you seen those sticky note things?” she said.
“Sticky notes?”
“Yes, not normal ones. They have them in restaurants and places in big cities mainly, so when people pay for their drink, they can also buy one in advance for someone who can’t afford it. You put them up on a pin board, and if someone is struggling, they just pay with one of the vouchers. You won’t be losing any money because the drinks have already been paid for. I can purchase the first dozen or so, so people understand how the system works—if you agree to that, of course. I know it’s usually used for the homeless, but a lot of elderly people are far closer to the breadline than you’d realise. Especially in winter. They come to the coffee shop because they can’t afford to keep the heating on in their own homes. I hate to think of them freezing in their houses, with no company, and nothing to look forward to because they can’t afford to come and get a cup of coffee anymore. I’d really like to do this. If that’s okay?”
Gemma wasn’t sure what response she expected Kent to give. She hoped he’d say it was a great idea and that they could start immediately, though she suspected he might say he wanted to look into it further before he agreed to anything. But as the silence spread between them, she was almost certain he was about to reject the idea, and a frisson of anger took hold. She drew in a sharp breath, ready to give all the reasons why this was a wonderful idea for the community and why he was just being an arrogant ass if he didn’t agree, when he let out a short chuckle that caught her by surprise.
“You’re remarkable,” he said as his eyes locked on hers. “You know that, don’t you? You’re a truly remarkable person.”