Page 63 of Fireworks at Pennycress Inn
‘A cucumber. Haha.’ Polly laughed before shaking her arms and taking a deep breath. ‘Okay, we’re fine. We’ve got this. Please tell me we’ve got this.’
Zac grinned. ‘We’ve got this. How hard can mac and cheese and chips be?’
Polly widened her eyes. She hadn’t even thought about the fact they’d have to cook. ‘You’re kidding, right? I’ve got no idea how to make the mac and cheese they serve in the café.’
‘I’m pretty certain Jarvis mentioned that he was prepping it all earlier today. I think we’ve just got to serve.’
‘I hope you’re right.’ Shoving her hands in her pockets, Polly looked around her. There were five other food trucks, all standing along one side of the playground, each and every one of them manned by people who looked as though they knew what they were doing.
Trying to calm her nerves, she turned her attention to the playing field to the side of the playground. A large pile of wood had been collected and positioned in the middle of the field and metal railings had been erected at the edge of the grass to stop anybody wandering too close once the bonfire had been lit.
Stopping in front of a smart green van, Zac smiled as he opened the door and held his hand out towards Polly. ‘We’ll find out soon enough.’
Taking his hand, she stepped into the van and shrugged out of her coat before moving across to the counter. It certainly smelt as though the food was ready to be served. Lifting the lids on two huge bowls, she relaxed. ‘You’re right, it’s all done.’
‘Excellent. Here.’ Stepping behind her, Zac lowered an apron over her head before tying the apron strings around her middle.
Looking over her shoulder, Polly smiled. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Leaning over the counter, Zac swung the hatch open and nodded towards the school gate opposite. ‘Are you ready? Because here they come.’
Looking up, Polly watched as a swarm of people filed through the open gates, some meandering into the hall and others heading towards the food trucks. This was it. There was no reason to be nervous now. What would be would be as her grandma had always said. She couldn’t change anything now.
‘Hey, we’ve got this.’ Zac repeated to her, as he turned to their first customer. ‘Good evening. How can we help you?’
‘Hi, could I have two helpings of mac and cheese, please?’ the man standing in front of the van asked.
‘Coming right up.’
Biting down on her bottom lip, Polly widened her eyes. She’d known she’d forgotten something. Placing her hand on Zac’s arm, she lowered her voice, ‘I haven’t put the signs up on the outside of the van so people can see we’re serving what they can get at the reserve’s café. Will you be okay for a few minutes while I go and grab the posters? I think they’re behind the stall.’
‘Yes, of course. You go while I serve.’
‘Thanks.’ Pulling her apron over her head, Polly hung it on a hook by the door before climbing down the two steep steps. How could she have forgotten?
Hurrying across the playground, she weaved her way through the crowds of people walking around the hall until she arrived at their stall. Slipping behind, she grabbed the posters from the box sitting by the wall before pausing and watching a long queue form at the stall. She caught sight of the mum and the boy who they’d seen at the toy shop and waved as they caught her eye.
While people waited to pay for raffle tickets, they picked up the leaflets, flicking through and chatting with the people in front or behind them, pointing at the photos and looking at the map.
‘A good start, hey?’ Declan nudged her shoulder and raised an eyebrow.
‘Yes, it is, isn’t it?’ Polly grinned before shaking herself and looking down at the posters in her hands. ‘I’d better get back to Zac.’
‘Good luck.’
‘Thanks.’ Taking a final look at the crowd gathered around the stall, Polly hurried back outside as relief flooded through her body. Zac was right. Tonight was going to be a success. They were raising awareness of the reserve and, if the stall was as busy all night as it was now, they should make a tidy profit too.
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Locking up the door to the food truck, Zac passed Polly her coat before shrugging into his own. ‘I’m shattered after that.’
‘I know exactly what you mean.’ Polly laughed. They’d sold out of both chips and mac and cheese so when they’d spotted Miss Cooke standing in the middle of the playground ringing an old-fashioned school bell, they’d decided to join the crowds for the bonfire and fireworks display rather than keep the food truck open just to serve the few drinks they had left. ‘And I don’t think I’ll want to eat mac and cheese for months to come.’
‘Haha, I think I could. I actually wish I’d kept a bowl aside.’ Zac chuckled as he led the way towards the metal railings before taking Polly’s hand and manoeuvring her in front of him. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her back towards him and whispered in her ear, ‘I think this is definitely a success.’
Polly grinned as she watched Miss Cooke slip between the panels of railings, pick up a microphone and position herself in front of the gathered crowd. Zac was right. Judging by the comments she’d had from people she’d served asking her about the reserve, she was happy that they’d managed to get people talking about it and hopefully that would mean a few more visitors too.
‘Good evening, folks.’ Miss Cooke’s voice projected through a microphone across the playground as the crowd continued to grow. ‘We’re in for a treat tonight! Have you seen how big this year’s bonfire is?’
