Page 6 of Light Up
“Someone put it there to get me into trouble, Matilda.” Corey sing-songed back to her, then bit his lip. Sarcasm would only make things worse. Well no, it probably wouldn’t, but it definitely wouldn’t make things better.
“The customer is sitting in my office. Return the wallet, apologise and hope he doesn’t want to call the police. I suspect he does.”
Fuck off!“I’m not apologising. I didn’t take it. The police can check it for fingerprints. Mine won’t be on it.”
Matilda looked down at her hand. Corey almost saw theoh shitrun through her head.
“You could have worn gloves,” Matilda blurted.
“Because no one would have noticed me putting on and pulling off gloves in the restaurant as I messed around with the jacket of a guy who wasn’t even sitting at one of my tables?” So much for no sarcasm. “We’ve been busy, I’ve not had a break. I’ve done nothing but move between tables and the kitchen. I haven’t even been to the bathroom let alone in here. Anyone could have put the wallet in my backpack. Someone saying they’d seen me do it is the likely suspect.”
And he could guess who it was. Vincent had bided his time.The fucking snake.
“Was it Vincent?” Corey asked.
Matilda hesitated, then said, “Yes.”
When Corey had told Vincent he didn’t want to go out with him, he’d known he’d eventually pay for turning the arrogant twat down.
“Why would Vincent lie?”
Because he hadn’t liked it when Corey had saidnoand had continued to try to make him change his mind. Corey had stopped using words when Vincent turned physical. Instead, he’d fought back. “He doesn’t like me.”
“Vincent’s lovely. He likes everyone.”
Not after Corey had rammed his knee into the guy’s balls. Maybe it had been a slight overreaction. Vincent had cried, but…
“Come with me,” Matilda told him.
Corey followed her to the office. Matilda handed the wallet to the middle-aged guy waiting in there.
“Ah.” He checked inside and sighed with relief. “Everything’s here. Where was it found?”
“In his backpack,” Matilda said.
When Matilda said nothing else, Corey ground his teeth, then added,“I didn’t take it.”
“Your backpack?” The guy frowned. “Then…”
“I didn’t take it.”
“But it was in your backpack,” the man said.
Oh my God.Corey gave in. Nothing he said would make this right. Without Matilda’s support he was doomed. He unfastened his apron, pulled it off and stuffed it into Matilda’s hand. “Since I started work here a year ago, I’ve handed in two wallets, an expensive watch, several bags of shopping and a woman’s purse. I’m not a thief and I’m insulted you’d think I could be. I was nowhere near this guy’s table. You chose to believe Vincent over me, and you didn’t even tell the customer I denied doing it. So stuff your job. I quit.”
“Wait a moment.” Matilda moved in front of the door as Corey stepped towards it, and for one brief moment, he thought his boss might finally be going to stand up for him. But Matilda turned to the customer and asked, “Do you want to call the police?”
“I have it back. Nothing’s missing. It’ll soon be Christmas. You’ve given us a free meal. Let it go.” He left the room.
When Corey tried to follow, Matilda blocked him. “Don’t be so hasty. I had to ask him. Put your apron back on.”
Fuck you!“Nowyou’re worried about being a waiter short with the busiest few days of the year coming up? Tough. I’ve worked here longer than Vincent. You’ve never had a reason to criticise me. I’ve done extra shifts when you’ve asked me to. I’ve stayed late and helped with clean-ups. I’ve never cheated on the tips. I pool all the cash I’m given. But I’m done.”
Matilda scowled. “Then pack your shit and get out of the bedsit right now. And get your car out of the garage. Tonight.”
Corey gulped. He’d not thought this through.
“Or you keep working until the New Year, then you can fuck off,” Matilda snapped.
