Page 15 of The Big Dip in Crumbleton
‘Like what?’ Pete demanded, feeling his neck grow warm.
‘Like you look at a new batch of triple chocolate cookies,’ said Libby with a smirk. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t tell Mum and Dad. Yet.’
CHAPTER6
SCARLETT
Scarlett was busy thanking her lucky stars she’d done her fair share of café work during her time at uni. It had been a while, but it didn’t take long before her muscle memory kicked in, and her hands remembered what to do, even if it took her brain a bit longer to catch up.
The machine was a bit older than the state-of-the-art behemoth she used to wrestle with at the trendy Bristol coffee shop. Still, the principles remained unchanged. Grind, tamp, brew, steam, pour, serve, repeat.
Of course, there wasn’t any time for the fancy-pants coffee art she used to have to fuss around with back then. Somehow, she had a feeling this crowd were more interested in a good coffee served quickly than elaborate hearts, ferns and swans drawn in their froth.
By this point, The Limpet was bursting at the seams, with every table occupied. People had spilled out onto the deck to make room for new customers as they elbowed their way inside, keen for a dose of caffeine before braving the waves.
‘One oat milk latte!’ Scarlett called out, sliding the finished drink down the counter to a woman with an impressive collection of swimming badges sewn onto her tote bag.
‘Cheers, love!’ the woman replied, dropping some coins into the tip jar. ‘Proper coffee at last, not like that dishwater we had on the drive over here.’
Just as Scarlett thought the main rush was almost over, the café doors opened again. This time, it was the Chilly Dippers, with Brian Singer leading the charge.
‘Damn, I thought we’d cracked it there for a second!’ Pete whispered in her ear.
‘This lot shouldn’t give us any trouble,’ chuckled Scarlett.
‘What makes you so sure?’ said Pete, running his fingers through his already haywire hair.
For a mad moment, Scarlett wanted to follow the path of his fingers with her own. Instead, she gave herself a quick shake and grinned at the familiar faces now standing at the till.
‘Because I’m one of them,’ she said. ‘Or an honorary one, at least.’
‘Ah… so Seabury has arrived?!’ said Pete, hurrying over to the till to start taking their orders.
‘Well I never,’ said Brian, as he bumbled along the counter, peering at Scarlett over the cake stands. ‘You seem to be settling in rather well! Everything alright?’
‘Right as rain, thanks Brian,’ said Scarlett, shooting him a smile over her shoulder.
‘I have to say, I didn’t expect to find you running the place!’ he laughed, shaking his head in wonder.
‘She’s not running it,’ Libby interjected as she passed by with a tray of empty cups. ‘She’s saving it. And us. Mainly me.’
‘What can I get you, Brian?’ said Scarlett. ‘Your coffee’s on me for the lift all the way over here yesterday.’
‘Well, that’s very kind,’ he said with a broad smile. ‘Since you’re offering, I’ll have a large black Americano with hot milk on the side, please.’
‘Coming right up,’ said Scarlett, already reaching for a fresh cup.
Lou spotted her next, pushing her way through the crowd with a look of disbelief on her face.
‘Scarlett Finch!’ she exclaimed, hands on hips. ‘What on earth are you doing behind the counter?’
Scarlett shrugged, not pausing in her coffee-making. ‘Helping out?’
Lou shook her head and started to laugh. ‘Typical! You’re meant to be on holiday!’
‘It’s oddly relaxing, actually,’ she said with a smile, handing Brian his coffee.
‘If you say so,’ said Lou, sounding dubious. ‘Though I must say, the viewisrather nice.’ She waggled her eyebrows meaningfully in Pete’s direction.
