Page 9 of Rivers of Ink
“Just the book or would you like a drink too?”
There was a table free in one corner, with one chair, so Alicia decided to stay for a while. She perused the menu on the wall. “Um, can I get a vanilla latte and a slice of the lemon polenta cake too, please?”
“Good choice.” The waitress waved the book. “This one too. Would you like me to bring your drink over?”
“Thanks, that would be great.” Alicia tried not to feel guilty as she waved her credit card over the machine. Nell would only remind her that she didn’t really have money to be spending on cake and books when there was rent to pay. And no job, at least not yet. She tucked her book under her arm, picked up her cake, and sat down. Setting the plate on the low coffee table, she glanced out of the window and thought she saw Callan walk past. Now she was starting to hallucinate, she clearly needed the cake more than she realised.
The redheaded waitress brought her latte over and placed it down, smiling at Alicia. “You seem happy, having a good day?”
Alicia nodded. “I am actually. I’ve been for a job interview, and it seemed to go well.”
“Good for you. Where was it?”
“Oh, it’s at the end of the arcade here, at The Unbound Soul. Do you know it?”
The waitress laughed. “Just a bit. My fiancé works there, you probably met him?”
For a moment, Alicia felt sick. No wonder Callan hadn’t wanted to talk about himself if he were about to be married.
“Aidy Brown? He’s the head stylist or whatever the barber shop equivalent is of that.”
A relieved giggle escaped from Alicia’s lips. “Yes,” she said. “He interviewed me. He seemed nice.”
“Well, if you do get the job, make sure you come in here. We’ve got a loyalty card scheme that entitles you to free cake after six visits.” She pulled a card out of her apron and thrust it at Alicia. “Aidy and Callan swear by it. I’m Wren, by the way.” She glanced over to the counter where a small queue was beginning to form. “I should get back. Hope to see you again.”
Alicia watched Wren walk away, a sense of relief washing over her. That could seriously have made things awkward if she did get the job. The lemon polenta cake was calling to her, and she took a forkful. It was, as she had anticipated, totally delicious. She decided to come back there whatever happened with the job. She opened up her book and started to read, getting engrossed in the story and totally losing track of time. It was only when she realised that Nell had left her four messages in the last half an hour that she thought she ought to head home.
The minute she opened the door, Nell was in the hallway, bounding up and down like an excitable puppy.
“How did it go? Does the fact you’ve been gone for hours mean they liked you? When do you find out?”
“One question at a time!” Alicia laughed. “Let me go to get changed and I’ll tell you everything.” She went to her room, stripped off her interview outfit, and pulled on leggings and an oversized jumper. She made sure she had her phone with her as she went back into the living room.
Nell sat expectantly on the sofa. “Well?”
Alicia settled down beside her, cross-legged. “I think it went okay. I seemed to get on with both of the guys interviewing me. In fact,” she began, fiddling with one of her rings. “I know I got on well with one of them. It was the guy from the Trackside Social the other night.”
“Wait, what? The guy you went home with?” squealed Nell.
“Yep. It wasn’t awkward at all.” Alicia rolled her eyes.
“Oh my god, how did you deal with it?”
“Gave my best answers and pretended like it hadn’t happened.”
“What about him? How did he react?”
“Barely said anything, to be honest. He wasn’t unfriendly though, he let his colleague ask all the questions.”
“Of all the people to meet in that situation. Do you think it’s damaged your chances?”
“No idea. They were seeing at least one other person though. How’s your day been?”
As Nell regaled her with the tales of the issues she was having with one of her managers, Alicia tuned out. It was killing her not knowing if Callan liked her or if he’d consider offering her the job. If she did end up working at The Unbound Soul, would that mean any kind of relationship would be off limits? After all, shagging your boss wasn’t cool. She was jolted from her reverie by her phone ringing. The screen showed a mobile number she didn’t recognise, but she answered it anyway.
“Hi, is that Alicia? This is Aidy from The Unbound Soul. Can you talk?”
“Uh huh, I mean, yes, sure, carry on.”
