Page 14 of Mav

“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 rescuewhen 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.”

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