Page 15 of Kiss Me Ever After
“Here.” She tucked a ten-pound note into my apron pocket. “Add that to your tips for today. For not giving away our cake secret and for locking up later.”
I could have hugged her. “Thanks, Bryony. I’m only glad I’m not completely useless any longer.”
She cocked her head. “Well, except for messing up the vegan versus vegetarian breakfast this morning.”
“Hey.” I held up my hands. “Easy mistake to make.”
“Lennon, there was a poached egg on one plate!”
“Admit it, I am getting better though…”
“Don’t push it. I’ll make you open up tomorrow as well if you’re not careful.” Bryony nudged me with her shoulder as she walked back to the kitchen.
Suddenly, I felt like I belonged.
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. By the time half past four rolled around, June had already left, and Bryony gathered up her things in preparation to go.
“Don’t be afraid to shut the door and turn the sign to closed before five if there’s no one in here,” she said. “And be strong, make sure you don’t stay open unnecessarily. No one will die if they can’t get a cup of tea and a sticky bun.”
“I have been here at closing time before, you know.”
Bryony sighed. “I do. But you know how much of a control freak I can be…”
Gently, I pushed her towards the door, jangling the keys at her. “It will be fine.” I gestured to the elderly couple who were getting up to leave. “What can possibly go wrong in thirty minutes?”
“Okay, okay, I’m going. See you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything.” She fluttered her fingers at me as she left.
The couple paid—leaving me a generous tip—and went, leaving me on my own. I turned up the music on my phone and pottered about making sure the sugar bowls were full, the tables were spotless, and that everything was ready for the morning. Which took me all of about ten minutes. I leaned back against the counter, absently kicking my heels on the skirting board.
While there wasn’t anyone in the cafe, I opened the till and half-heartedly started counting out the money in there to get a head start on cashing up. A noise from the door made me look up and a group of four lads around sixteen or seventeen took up residence at the table by the window. Typical, just as I thought I would get to close on the dot of five. I stuffed the cash back into the till and slammed the drawer shut.
“What can I get you, guys?” I stood by the table, pad in my hand, pen poised.
They looked between each other. “Four beers,” one of them said, causing the others to snigger into their sleeves.
“Sorry, I don’t think so. None of you look old enough to drink. Not legally, anyway.” I smiled.
“You can’t refuse to serve us,” one of them barked.
“I never said I wasn’t going to serve you. I’m just not going to let you have beer. Now, can I get you a coke or a juice or something?”
The oldest looking boy took the menu and waved it at his mates. “Give us a minute.”
“Sure, I’ll come back.” I plastered on a fake smile and walked away. While they studied the menu, I shut the door and turned the sign to closed. At least no one else could come in while this lot worked out what they wanted.
The sound of crockery crashing on tile made me spin around. The last thing I needed was an accident. My gaze snapped back to the boys. Three of them had moved to stand near a table and one of them picked up a sugar bowl, holding it for a second before making eye contact with me, and then deliberately dropping them from shoulder height onto the floor.
“Stop that!” I shouted. “What do you think you’re doing?”
The older boy stalked towards me. “We said we wanted beers.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “And I said I wouldn’t serve you.”
A menacing smile crossed his face as he slid a hand into his pocket. “Maybe this will make you change your mind?”
The click of the penknife filled the room as loudly as a gunshot.
For all the chaos ensuing around us as the other boys systematically kicked over chairs and tables before heading into the kitchen, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the blade.
