Chapter 7 #2
‘Oh, I’m only kidding. A few minutes don’t matter here or there.
Come on through, and I’ll introduce you to everyone.
’ She pointed to a cupboard in the small office.
‘Put your bag in there.’ Jen glanced at her younger sister, who was clearly in charge, and did as she was told, even though it felt strange.
Jen was used to being the bossy one growing up.
Now the tables had turned. ‘That’s Marcus.
’ A tall, curly-haired man in his mid-twenties standing by the hot stove, held his spatula aloft, and grinned.
Good-natured, laid-back vibes emanated from him.
‘Marcus, this is Jen, my big sister, who’s going to help us out this morning. ’
‘Less of the big, Lucy,’ said Jen with a smile. ‘Hi, Marcus, good to meet you.’
‘And that’s Amity, and that’s Kaydee—our servers.’
Jen exchanged greetings with the two young women. One with short, spiky hair dyed pink, and the other with the rose-tinted flowing tresses of a Botticelli. ‘They’re twins,’ added Lucy. Jen raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. ‘Now you know everyone, let’s get on.’
Lucy led her to a double Butler sink. Both looked original to the building. At least the taps weren’t the small brass dinky taps, which were of the same era. Lucy had had the kitchen done up like the rest of the place but had retained its charm—so long as that charm was also functional.
Jen looked at the pile of dirty dishes and felt a sinking in her heart.
She was really grateful to Lucy for giving her a job and a reason to get out of the house, but she couldn’t help comparing doing the dishes to her book launch a year earlier.
It had been attended by everyone who mattered in the industry, and some that didn’t.
Like Alistair. He hadn’t allowed her to stay long.
At that moment, Amity dumped another pile of dirty crockery and pulled a face. ‘Sorry.’
‘No problem,’ said Jen, tying the apron firmly before switching the mixer tap on and reaching for the detergent. ‘No problem at all,’ she murmured to herself. At least here she was among good people, and she was free to be herself.
Four hours later and the flow of dirty crockery had dwindled to a trickle. Despite the rubber gloves, Jen’s hands knew they’d been dunked in very hot water for hours. And her back and legs were acutely aware she’d been on her feet the whole time, except for an occasional break.
‘Thank you so much,’ said Lucy. ‘I really appreciate it. The dishwasher should be fixed tomorrow you’ll be glad to hear. So I’ll put you on other duties then.’
Jen grinned and pulled the plug. Gripping the side of the sink, she stretched her aching back. ‘No problem. Glad to be of service.’
Lucy pulled a face. ‘Yeah, I bet.’
Jen stopped grinning. ‘No, really. You cancelled plans to come in the dead of night to collect me and Liam from the airport at only a day’s notice.’
‘The plans were probably better off cancelled.’
Jen frowned. ‘Didn’t you re-arrange them?’
Lucy shook her head. ‘Uh-uh. I… only made them in a moment of weakness. Let’s just say sense has prevailed.’
‘Sounds like there’s a story there.’
‘Well, if it is, I’ve reached The End,’ said Lucy. She turned at the sound of a bell. ‘Kaydee,’ she called. ’Counter please!’
Jen couldn’t help smiling. Lucy was all business and cool control. This wasn’t the kid sister she remembered. As a youngster Lucy had been dramatic and emotional. She wondered where all that emotion had gone. Or if it was still there, why she was hiding it.
Lucy suddenly looked up and waved. ‘I’ll be right with you,’ she called. ‘My friend, Megan,’ she said. ‘Anyhow,’ she added, ‘I wanted to ask one more favour before you leave.’
‘Of course. Anything. You’re doing me a huge favour employing me like this.’
‘You’re earning your money, believe me.’
‘So what’s next then?’ Jen said, pulling off her gloves. ‘Fridges need cleaning? Floors mopping?’
‘Signs need writing. I’m rubbish at it and Marcus generally does it, but he has to leave early.’
Jen swallowed. It was one thing being tucked away in the kitchen, quite another being in the public space. It made her feel vulnerable. She immediately drew herself up a little taller, determined to leave behind the woman she’d been.
‘Sure. I did a calligraphy course at college. Hopefully, I’ve remembered something.’
‘Perfect.’
Even more perfect, Jen couldn’t help thinking, now that the chance of running into Sam was well past. She didn’t know if he’d been into the café or not but, if he was like most men and a creature of habit, he’d have come in early in the morning as he had yesterday.
She stepped out from behind the counter and cast a quick, cautious glance around. There were only a couple of people — an elderly couple lingering over a pot of tea and cake, and Lucy and her friend, heads close as they chatted in earnest about something.
She wiped her sweating palms on her apron, repeating the mantra, ‘I’m home safe, I’m home safe’ to herself as she unfolded the list of specials for dinner that night.
She jumped only once when someone yelled at a friend across the road as they walked past the open door to the café.
She heaved a calming sigh and took up the brush and paint.
Kneeling down in front of the blank menu board, she began to paint.
She did a double take at the first item. Planked Whitefish? What on earth? She shook her head and focused on writing.
She was soon absorbed in trying to turn the words into a work of calligraphic art. It wasn’t until someone called her name that she looked up, rubbed some paint on her chin accidentally and blinked. And blinked again.
‘Sam!’