CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CALLA
“You want me to train him?”I look at Rosie and shake my head. “No. No way. I’m all for giving him a go, but I didn’t realise I’d have to show him the ropes.”
Rosie doesn’t know why we fell out, but maybe she might think again if she knew the details.
“If I had the time to do it myself, I would do, but it’s chaos in here, and I’ve got to get on with the take-away orders. Come on, Scott has worked in bars before so he can’t be that useless and as you were happy to work with him?—”
“Yes… yes I am.”
Her eyes narrow. “What’s got into you, Calla. At least give this a chance for all our sakes. Yes?”
I bite my lip as the deep dread in my stomach stirs old feelings. If I carry on thinking about it too hard, I’ll lose my nerve. “Okay then, let’s do this.”
“And for the love of God, clean yourself up Cal, you’ve made a right mess of yourself.”
I look down at my pink trainers. The remaining bean juice is drying nicely from the sun's heat and a slight coastal breeze, but it’s the least of my concerns. The prospect ofworking with the enemy has my stomach clenched in knots. I haven’t felt like this in a long time.
Scott is busy clearing tables when I get back inside and it’s good to see he’s using his initiative to get on with the job. After I’ve cleaned myself up and replaced my apron, I take advantage of the way he’s coping on his own and get on with serving and making up the orders. The café is packed to capacity with the added pressure of a queue for take-aways. Perhaps I shouldn’t have spent so long outside with Ash, especially now the holiday season is in full swing. Thankfully, it means there isn’t much time to socialise with my colleagues which eases the awkwardness of this situation.
As the day goes on, Scott is doing okay. I’ve got to admit, I’m impressed with his work ethic. He doesn’t mess about, gets straight to work on the washing-up, plus he’s chatty with the customers. I wasn’t looking forward to spending time with him, but there’s been little chance to do anything but work.
We finish up and close the shop at six. It gives Rosie half an hour to cash-up and me time to get things ready for tomorrow. Scott is clearing the remaining tables. I showed him what I could during the few moments I had to spare, but ultimately, he was left to his own devices and had to find his own way around the kitchen. He’s done a great job. He saw what he had to do, got on with it and made mine and Rosie’s life a lot easier.
I’m sitting down with a cuppa, while Rosie talks over the counter to me. When Scott finally finishes wiping the sideboards down, he comes over to where I’m sitting, a pained look on his face. “Hey,” is all he says at first, perhaps testing the water and I reply with an uncertain, “Hey,” back, but he takes it as an invitation to take a seat opposite.
“Cuppa Scott?” Rosie asks.
“I could go for a Coke if you have one, please.”
“Coming up,” she says while cashing up.
It’s the first time we’ve been face-to-face today, so this is odd, and conversation is difficult to find. Finally, I think of something, if only to make Rosie happy. “How did you find your first day?”
“I enjoyed it, actually. I’ve been bored shitless, since I got home and it gave me something else to think about.”
“You two alright?” Rosie asks with a hopeful grin, setting a can of drink down for Scott.
“Yeah, sure.” I force a smile to be polite.
“Good, because I thought you did a great job today, Scott; especially as we left you on your own for most of the time. Also, when you were helping Cals, I was impressed at how well you worked as a team.” Rosie points to Scott with a tea towel dangling from her arm.
“Thanks,” Scott says, eyeing me cautiously in the way he used to at school when he was getting a bollocking. There are still glimmers of that little shit, but it looks as if he’s trying to be a good person.
“Great, then I’m happy to offer you a permanent job, that’s as long as you carry on working as hard as you did today.”
Scott is staring over at me; I know he is. Perhaps he’s waiting for some kind of approval, I don’t know, but the brief smile I give him must serve as the green light he is looking for.
“I’ll do my best Rosie, thank you for the chance.”
He offers his hand to shake, but Rosie holds out her arms instead. “We’re all one big happy family here, Scott. Come on, bring it in,” she signals, waving him forward. He gets up from his seat and does as she asks and from over her shoulder,Scott has a grimace on his face. I’m sure he’s trying to make me laugh, but I’m not in that place with him yet.
Rosie pulls back, holding his shoulders. “I can give you five days in all which might run into the weekend, depending on the rota. Sound good?”
Scott gives her a lopsided grin, “I really appreciate that. Thanks.”
“Alright then,” Rosie replies, heading back to the counter. She throws me the keys so I can lock the café door. Once I’m done, I lay the keys on the table and sit opposite Scott in awkward silence for a few moments.
