Page 36 of Trust Fall
“Nope! I love the park, and movies, and pizza!” The young girl smiled up at her Dad, then turned to Cleo.
“ComeonAuntie Cleo, let’s go!” Sophie grabbed her hand and gave it a swift tug. “Bye Dad, see you later alligator!”
“After a while crocodile!” Evan replied. “Seriously, Cleo, thanks.”
“Seriously, Evan, don’t mention it,” she said, laughing as Sophie pulled on her arm again.
“Can we get another hot chocolate today? Pleeeeeease?” she looked up at her aunt with her largest puppy dog eyes.
“Hmmm, we’ll see,” Cleo told her niece. Though she already knew the answer was a resounding yes. That way, she got to see Ivy.
Chapter 32
Ivy
“Seven hours to go until closing,” Toni groaned, as she looked along what seemed to be a never-ending queue.
“Then you’re off for three days, together, after almost a full week off, because I’m too good a boss to you.” Ivy laughed as she arrived with another stack of coffee cups.
The day had been busier than normal due to a seasonal market setting up in the area which had driven foot traffic throughthe roof all morning. Ivy had sent a message to Lucas about it earlier, and he had transferred extra supplies from the shop furthest from the market which wouldn’t be as busy as theirs now would be. It arrived within the hour.
“At least they’re mostly takeaway orders, I don’t think we could cope if many more were to sit in. Ty would kick me out the kitchen if I took any more dishes through to him just now.” Ivy laughed, but Toni knew she was only part kidding. “Hopefully it’ll calm down soon during lunch time when the food stalls finally open. Not that I’m turning away business, but I didn’t think we’d bethisbusy given we’re a few streets away,” she added.
“Hi there, what Cuppa Comfort can I make for you this morning?” Toni asked the next customer in line. The reply included six stupidly over-complicated drinks. Ivy heard how hard Toni tried to resist the urge to let out a groan. She couldn’t help but snigger at her.
She turned to the next customer and welcomed them with the same phrase. “Two medium lattes please,” the woman in front of her said.
“Absolutely,” Ivy replied and smiled. Toni rolled her eyes at the easy order she had received.
Two hours later, and the food stalls at the market had been open an hour, and trade was finally starting to calm down in the shop.
“You can let Ty know the worst seems to be over now, it’ll maybe get him in a better mood,” Ivy said to Nina as she cleared the last of the dirty cups from the tables.
“Nah, I’ll let him stew a while longer before I brave talking to him just yet,” Nina replied with a chuckle. “He may be a teddy bear, but the claws are out just now.”
Nina wheeled the cart of cups and cleaning supplies through to the kitchen, and Ivy surveyed the shop from between some ofthe tables while Toni served the only customer left in the line, for now.
The door opened and Ivy felt every muscle in her body relax, noting that she didn’t know she had been tensing until just then. Cleo and Sophie walked in and stood at the counter. Toni looked over at Ivy and nodded her head to Cleo, who quickly turned around to find Ivy.
Ivy felt the warmth from Cleo’s smile land on her like it was coming straight from the sun. She wore white sneakers, light jeans, a marl grey hoody and an open long camel colored coat. Ivy’s belly fluttered at the sight of her.
“Hey you,” Cleo said, her smile growing.
“Hey back,” Ivy replied as she walked over to her. She tipped her head towards Sophie, “is it?” she asked Cleo, not sure whether it was ok to kiss her in front of her niece.
“Ivy,” Cleo reached out to take her hand, “always”.
Ivy leaned in and gave Cleo a gentle kiss. When she pulled away, Cleo held on to her hand, lacing their fingers together.
“How are you today, Sophie?” Ivy asked the young girl.
“I’m great! We’re getting hot chocolates and then going to the park and then back to Auntie Cleo’s house for movies and pizza. It’s almost a perfect day,” Sophie replied.
“Almost?” Ivy asked with a gentle head tilt, curious about Sophie’s reply.
Sophie’s shoulders slumped. “Yeah, Auntie Cleo said because we’re having a hot chocolate now, and pizza later, that I can’t get ice cream too.”
“Oh?” Ivy said, looking up with a mischievous glint in her eye at Cleo.
