Page 68 of Best Summer Ever

‘Coming right up,’ I responded.

I hoped Penny was right about the adrenaline keeping her going and I hoped I also had the stamina to keep up with what was required. Working in the café suddenly made my shorter shifts in the pub look like a walk in the park, even though my skills, for what they were worth, were better suited to the café. The constant footfall throughout the day had kept me on my toes and the gaff with the ice lolly overcharging aside, I’d just about held my own. On day one. There were still weeks of summer to go and my earlier conviction that I’d made the right decision was already being tested!

‘Lock the door quick,’ said Penny at the end of what felt like the longest day ever, ‘and I’ll draw the blinds.’

It was way after the café’s official closing time and there were still people on the beach, but the boss had said she’d had enough and I was more than happy to lock up as requested.

‘Oh my god,’ I groaned, as I collapsed into a chair. ‘I can’t believe we did that. You never could have managed on your own, Pen. No offence, but it would have been impossible for you to do everything.’

‘No offence taken,’ she said, wilting into the chair opposite mine. ‘You’re right. I’d already worked out what it might be like on a weekend after you and Josh helped me out the other day, so…’ She then stopped and took a very deep breath. ‘With that in mind—’

‘I’m beginning to think you’re going to need two pairs of extra hands, rather than just mine,’ I cut in before she’d finished her sentence. ‘At least that way you could factor in some proper breaks.’

Penny didn’t say anything further and I quickly looked at her to make sure she hadn’t fallen asleep already. She hadn’t.

‘Sorry, I interrupted. What were you going to say?’

‘Well,’ she said, shifting in her chair and looking upset. ‘The thing is… and I did try to tell you this earlier…’

‘Tell me what?’

‘That Ihavetaken on an extra pair of hands. Two extra pairs of hands, in fact.’

‘What?’

‘After that crazy day last week, I had a video call with Sophie and she suggested I take on a couple of teenagers for the season,’ Penny explained. ‘In her rush to leave, she’d forgotten to mentionthat’s what she usually did and it wasn’t until I called her and admitted that I was struggling to manage everything, that she brought up taking on summer staff.’

‘Oh,’ I said, feeling taken aback. ‘I see.’

‘I should have realised she didn’t fly solo through the summer,’ Penny carried on. ‘So, I took her suggestion to heart and got on with finding some help.’

‘So,’ I said, trying to sound breezy, ‘you don’t actually need me to work with you here, after all.’

She shook her head.

‘If you’d told me what you were planning to do,’ she said, looking upset, ‘then I would have explained that I’d already got the situation in hand and suggested you keep your job in the pub.’

‘Damn,’ I said, putting my head in my hands. ‘I’m so sorry, Pen.’

‘What are you apologising for?’ she tutted. ‘I’m the one—’

‘You’re the one with the friend who impetuously rushed in and wanted to save the day but hadn’t given a thought to the fact that you might have already saved it for yourself,’ I again cut in.

My actions had been well intentioned, but rash and impulsive too. I had wanted to make the summer easier for my friend and make the experience of running the café what she so desperately wanted it to be. But I could see now that it would have made far more sense to have told her what I was planning, rather than try and make it a surprise.

‘And I love that friend for wanting to do that,’ Penny said sincerely. ‘And I honestly couldn’t have managed without you today. I’m sorry I didn’t find a way of telling you earlier.’

‘It’s fine,’ I said, wondering how long I would be able to keep the blunder from my parents. I’d have to find another job fast, assuming Penny’s tag team were starting soon. Hopefully I’d have a couple of weeks grace to find something. ‘So, when do your new members of staff join the ranks?’ I dared to ask.

‘Next Wednesday,’ Penny told me. That was just four days away. ‘It’s the Smith twins. They’re in Spain on holiday until Tuesday, then they’ll be here the day after.’

I knew the twins she was talking about and their family. The Smiths were local, affluent and extremely successful, thanks to their inherited work ethic. The enthusiastic boy and exuberant girl would be perfect for helping Penny out. They embodied the ultimate beach aesthetic and with youth on their side, they’d be far more energetic than I was at the end of the busy day.

‘You couldn’t have taken on anyone better,’ I commented kindly.

‘They’re hard workers, I’ll give them that.’

‘Oh god,’ I laughed, trying to see the funny side. ‘I’ve just quit my other job for two days’ work, haven’t I? Today and tomorrow!’

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