Page 25 of Chocolate Cake for Breakfast
‘Mostly quirky romances. But I haven’t been published oranything.’
‘But she will be,’ says Maddy firmly.
Anna nods. ‘Fantastic. I love romances and anything that hasa mystery to solve. I’m always reading in my break at work, although not somuch recently.’ She groans. ‘We’re a housekeeping assistant down and we’re allup against it these days.’
‘Are you interviewing for staff, then?’ asks Madison.‘Because I think Martha’s looking for a job.’ She raises her eyebrows at me.
I sigh inwardly. I really appreciate Maddy’s concern, butI’m not sure I’m in the best of head spaces to start work again. On the otherhand, I really want to be earning so that I can pay my way. Dad’s been greatletting me live there rent-free after splitting with Geraint, while I pursuedmy writing. But I’m not writing now so it’s high time I found a job...
Anna smiles at me. ‘Well, wearelooking for a newhousekeeping assistant. But if you’re interested, I’d advise you to get yourapplication in straight away? The closing date is the day after tomorrow.’
I nod. ‘I might just do that. Which hotel is it?’
‘Oh. It’s the Swan, right here in Sunnybrook.’
My heart lurches. I can’t apply for a job there! I’d runinto Logan. What the hell would I say to him after all this time?
Anna glances along the road. ‘Ooh, here’s my bus.’
She waves cheerfully at us from the top deck and I turn toMaddy. ‘Anna seems really nice.’
‘Oh, she is. She’s like the auntie you wish you had. I usedto call her Auntie Anna all the time when I was little. You should apply forthat job.’
I shake my head.
I can’t. I really can’t. And yet...
Part of me yearns to see Logan again. Maybe this is fate,Anna mentioning they need staff at the Swan Hotel?
When we arrive at the Little Duck Pond Café, where Fen’s hostingthe night, everyone’s so lovely to me – asking me how I am and making sure I’mcomfy and not in a draught – that I find myself relaxing almost immediately.
The café is filled with mouth-watering aromas, which wequickly learn are down to the salted caramel hot chocolate that’s on the go –plus the cakes and muffins baked by Fen, fresh from the oven. Everyone’ssitting around, tucking in – all except Fen, who’s behind the counter and seemsto be in charge of keeping up the constant supply of hot chocolate.
‘Anyone for plain hot chocolate?’ she asks. ‘I know saltedcaramel can be a bit too rich for some people.’ But everyone declares they’reloving what she’s made already.
‘Fen, I wish you’d just sit down and join us,’ begs Ellie.‘Try some of this gorgeous chocolate and black cherry gateau you’ve made forus, before it’s all gone. I feel terrible that you’re doing all the work.’
‘It’s fine. It’s my turn to host.’ She leans on the counter,twisting a tea towel in her hands. ‘And anyway, I’m sticking to water tonight.’She raises her glass and takes a swig.
‘Oh, I thought that must be gin,’ says Maddy.
‘No, no. Alcohol and sugar is banned. Rob and I are on a rawfood diet to get healthy.’
Maddy frowns. ‘Crikey. I thought these meetings of ours wereabout having fun, not wearing a horsehair shirt for the night. Can’t you cheatjust this once? Rob will never know.’
She grins. ‘But he would. I can’t tell fibs to save my life.As soon as he asked me if I indulged at all, my face would blush the colour oftomato soup and he’d know straight away.’ She straightens up and pats her tummywith a smug smile. ‘And anyway, I don’twantto cheat. I made that cakethis afternoon and I wasn’t even tempted to lick out the bowl.’ She turns upher nose. ‘Sugar. Ugh! It’s the work of the devil, pure and simple. And do youreally want to be eatingpoison?’
Jaz, who has a forkful of cake half-way to her mouth, putsit back down on her plate with a frown. ‘Well, when you put it like that.... no, I really don’t.’ Then she grins. ‘But you know what? I’ll think aboutthat tomorrow.’ And she spears the cake, pops it in her mouth and chews happily.
Even Fen laughs. ‘Okay, maybe I’m alittlebittempted to have some. But do you know what? I really don’t need it. I’m lovingwhat we’re eating right now. All those fresh, crunchy vegetables. Honestly, rawcabbage is a revelation. And my body is so grateful!’
‘Grateful, eh?’ Maddy grins. ‘And I bet it trumpets itsgratitude all over the place, with all that raw cabbage.’
Everyone chuckles and Fen shakes her head. ‘Laugh all youlike, but we’re feeling so healthy on it. We really are. You should try it.You’re obviously really hungry to start with, missing all those carbs, but onceyou’re into it, it’s honestly a breeze!’
‘Maddy’s just jealous because she’s not as strong-willed asyou are,’ points out Katja with a grin. ‘When we both started work here she wasgoing through a healthy phase and exercising all the time. But it didn’t lastlong. Now she actually considers chips to be one of her five a day.’
‘No, I don’t!’
