CHAPTER SEVEN
-:- BLAKE -:-
The comment from Bitty regarding Franklin has me searching through the paperwork I have tucked away safely, with my late husband’s birth and death certificates.
Sitting at the kitchen table, I find the DNA paperwork. With my eyes, I scan every word, looking for anything that seems out of place. If this is a forgery, which it has to be, if what Bitty said is true, then there has to be a way of finding that out.
As it’s Monday morning I have little time as I have to leave for work in a few minutes, so this will be my chore once I get home this evening. Placing the paperwork in the top drawer of the dresser in the hallway, I pick up my jacket and head out of the house.
The walk to work will take me twenty-five minutes, so I don’t have time to waste. I’m looking forward to working in this job. It is a nice place and has a great reputation. The boss, Liam, seemed friendly and I think I will get along with him well.
Arriving at work, I walk into the shop and smile at Liam. “Good morning,” I quickly say as I reach the end of the counter.
“Morning, Blake. Come on into the kitchen. I have to ask you to work in the kitchen today, as we are going to be busy. Mondays are usually quiet, but a group of ladies have booked three tables. They are elderly and we never rush them as they come in once a month and have their knitting circle meeting here.” Liam gives me a pained look, and I can’t help the smile that appears at the thought.
“I can look after the kitchen. Washing up and keeping things clean will not be a problem,” I try to put Liam at ease, even though he is throwing me in at the deep end.
“This is Marg. She’ll be helping in the shop along with myself and Millie,” Liam introduces them, and after we’ve given each other a smile and nod, Marg rushes out of the kitchen and into the shop.
“You can see what needs doing, I’m sure. But if we bring through a canister that needs filling for the paninis make it a priority, you’ll find everything you need in the fridge.” Liam points to the commercial fridge and I give him a nod of understanding. “If you struggle to find anything, or just struggle, give one of us a shout and we’ll come through. Elaine will come in for two hours later this morning to help, and she can give you instruction in here if you need it.”
“Okay,” is all I manage to say before Liam turns and walks out of the kitchen, leaving me to do whatever is needed.
Taking a deep breath in, I turn a full 360 degrees, checking the counters, cabinets, cutting table, and sinks, then grab an apron folded on a pile at the end of the table, where I’d had the interview last week.
Right...so let’s get on and do something, I think to myself before walking over to the sink and running the hot water. I’ll wipe all the counters as I clear them, rinse the few dishes and fill the dishwasher...yeah, that’s where I’ll start!
The morning rushes past. I’ve filled the dishwasher many times, cleaned counters, and refilled the canisters with the fillings for the panini. I also chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and anything else you can imagine, along with rushing to the rescue when Liam, or one of the servers, needed something urgently. I even was sent to the storeroom to grab supplies, which was a little spooky as it was a cellar, basically.
Liam gave me a lunch-break along with Elaine and we sat at the table in the corner of the kitchen. I had a breakfast panini and a large mug of Americano. The caffeine hit the spot perfectly, as I had been flagging.
“How are you getting along this morning, Blake?” Elaine asks, shaking me out of my thoughts.
“Good. I think I’ve kept up with everything?” I question it slightly because I’m not sure I know all I’m supposed to do, but with Liam just dropping me in the kitchen and disappearing, it was a learn on the job type of thing.
“I honestly think you’ve shown you are more than capable of fitting in here. You were dropped into the kitchen this morning and left to get on with it. But you have kept up with the shop's demand for fillings, clean cutlery, and crockery. When I first came to work here I was followed around for days,” Elaine giggles at the memory, “I flooded the kitchen after leaving the tap running in the sink, and of course it then took quite a while to get it mopped and dried thoroughly. You have run the kitchen single-handedly, kept up when we’ve shouted through, or come to you for something, and not a word of complaint, and not even questions of how to. Amazing, Blake, you’ve been amazing.”
I can’t help the smile that crosses my face with the praise she’s given. It’s been a long time since I’ve had nice things said to me, or about me. Shaking my head because I do not want to go down the road of having a pity party. It helps no situation, it only makes the depression worse than it would have been.
Liam walks into the kitchen an hour later as I’m filling the washing machine with aprons and tea towels. “No, you don’t need to do that, Blake. Throw them all in the large basket in the storeroom and they’ll be collected by Heather’s company, who now does all the laundry.”
“Oh, okay. I didn’t realize.” He must see the confused look on my face as he steps forward to explain.
“We use the washing machine if we have any major spillage. We get it quickly into the machine with the strong stain removal detergent. It helps stop any stubborn stains from forming.”
“Good idea,” I smile as I respond, but step toward where my jacket and purse were left when I started my shift.
“Take care and I’ll see you tomorrow,” Liam smiles as he steps back into the shop, with Elaine following him while giving me a finger wave.
I need to rush home and get something to eat, changed out of these kitchen smelling clothes before taking another look at that DNA paperwork. Something is bugging me, but I can’t pinpoint it.
Rushing out of the back door of the Coffee House, I make my way onto the sidewalk and start the walk home. I’m not looking where I’m going as I have my head down and thinking about the day, when I’m barreled into and knocked to the ground.
“Hey, bitch, you need to send me money for Franklin, or something bad’s going to happen to you.”
Looking up as I climb to my feet with the help of a large hand, I first give Yax a nasty look, and second turn my head to thank whoever has helped me get to my feet.
Now, I’m standing with my mouth hanging open because this man is tall and well built. The first thing I notice is his eyes. They are the darkest brown I’ve ever seen. He has a neat beard and mustache, that shows he cares for himself. He has one of those earrings where you see a hole right through the earlobe. A tunnel? Gauging? Who knows, but it had to hurt. He has short hair, but how short I’m not sure as he has a baseball cap on and facing the right way around. I want to giggle at that thought, but keep it to myself.
“Are you okay?” The man asks.
“Yes, thank you,” I reply as I turn to look at Yax, who is standing in front of me snarling about money.
The man next to her, who is scowling at Yax, snaps. “Shut your mouth. We saw you intentionally push her onto the ground. I don’t care who you are, or what you want, but fuck off before I lose my temper.”
“Now, BS, is that any way to speak to a woman?”
“She’s not a woman who has any right to any respect. Seen too many like her over the years. Never work a day in their life, living off other people's hard work. What respect does that earn someone?”
“How dare you...” Yax I can tell is going to spill her vileness at this man, but she must decide to be quiet as she sees the nasty look on his face. Whirling around she rushes away, and it’s nearly jogging, which amuses me as she is wearing what you can only describe as stripper heels!
“Are you sure you are okay?” I’m asked again by the man who helped me stand.
“Yes, thank you again. She’s not a nice person, and you more than likely saved me from having a huge drama happen right here on the sidewalk.”
“You’ve skinned your knee by the look of it. Do you live nearby? Oh, my name is Mav, and this is BS.”
“Oh, I’m Blake. I’ll put a bandage on my knee when I get home. I need to get walking or I’ll be later home than I intended.” I give them a smile before quickly setting out for home. If it wasn’t for that DNA paperwork I need to check out, I’d have a bath and go to bed early. But I need to get clean and eat before I can climb into bed.
By the time I’m home, my legs are screaming from the walk and standing all day. I will need to make sure I get enough rest or my legs are going to suffer. I also need to sort out my knee, which is just a scrape if I’m honest, but it needs cleaning.
An hour later I’ve had a shower, put on joggers and a tee and am eating the last of the frozen leftovers I’ve defrosted and heated in the microwave. My eyes are flicking over this DNA and I can’t put my finger on it, but something doesn’t look right!
Knocking on the door grabs my attention, and not having anyone that would be interested in coming to see me, I’m wary that it’s Yax again.
“Blake, open the door. My old ass doesn’t want to be standing out here.”
Rushing to the door, I open it and nearly get mowed down by Bitty, who dashes past me and takes a seat at the kitchen table. Closing the door, I retake my seat at the table and give Bitty a questioning look.
“Look girlie... You have no one that comes to visit you, apart from bitch features. So, you’ll have to put up with me, ‘cause I like you and I’m thinking of adopting you.” Bitty is giving me a bright smile by the end of her speech, and right before she grabs the DNA from the table. “Oh, I’ll take this to Specs. He’s my tech man. He can find anything, and if this is dodgy, he’ll find out.”
I’m not sure what the heck is going on, adoption? Tech man? You know what? I’m too tired to even be bothered. “Do you want a drink, Bitty?” I ask, giving her a weak smile, because if I’m honest I’m too tired for more than that.
We have our drinks, then I wash up and tidy the kitchen as Bitty tells me all about packing up her house, ready to sell it. She’s going to move in permanently at the clubhouse as she has her own room, and all the stuff in her house is just that, stuff.
“Tomorrow night I’ll bring takeout and we’ll eat together, but now I have to get gone. I have people to see and things to do.”
Like the whirlwind she is, Bitty has gone before I can say anything at all. Looking at the table, I see she’s taken the DNA with her. I have no idea what she has in mind, or what this person called Specs can find, but anything may help me get out of this mess with Yax. The last thing I need is to be landed with having to make payments to her for Franklin. But, if I do then the house will be sold as I can’t afford to pay anything more than I am already.
Turning out the lights after checking the door is locked, I wearily make my way upstairs. I double check my alarm is set for work in the morning, and lay my head on the pillow, breathing out slowly as I calm my aching body. Sleep isn’t long coming...