“Wow, that sounds exciting.”
John snorted. “Not really. I specialise in corporate law. It’s pretty dry stuff. And what about you, Bailey?”
Bailey hated this type of question but it was bound to come up. He felt like an idiot admitting to these university graduates with proper careers that he worked in a call centre. “I work at Wonder Energy—”
“I’ve seen their ads on telly. They’re really trying to give the big boys a run for their money now the industry is deregulated. It’ll be interesting to see the long-term impact on energy prices, particularly with growing energy shortages affecting manufacturing and big business, and the focus on reducing emissions.”
John really seems to know his stuff.
“Yeah. I work in customer service.”
John nodded. “That’s cool.”
John didn’t look too disappointed that Bailey hadn’t responded with corporate speak about the industry, and Bailey let out a sign of relief. Bailey hardly knew anything about the topics John had raised and he worked at the company, for God’s sake.
“So you reckon I should change my electricity provider?” John asked.
Relief was short lived. Bailey hated these conversations. “I… um….”
“For God’s sake, John, leave the poor guy alone,” Tom interrupted. “He’s not at work now.”
John laughed. “Sorry. It’s not often I have a captive audience instead of having to wait half a lifetime on one of those frigging phone queues.”
“And when they finally answer you’re talking to someone in another country who doesn’t even know where Glebe is,” Phil interjected.
“Don’t get me started.” John nodded, then he and Phil launched into a conversation about the horrors of call centres and trying to get their issues resolved.
Bailey sank into his chair, frowning as the conversation went on around him. He’d heard the same discussion multiple times—as soon as anyone mentioned the words “call centre,” everyone in ear’s reach offered up an opinion or shared their worst ever customer service experience. Bailey tried not be irritated but his tension must have shown. Tom looked his way and mouthed sorry. Bailey gave Tom what he hoped was a reassuring smile in return. It wasn’t as if it was a situation he wasn’t used to. He focused on finishing his meal until the story swapping died down.
“Has everyone had enough to eat?” Bailey asked as he stood to clear the table.
After a chorus of agreement he began moving around the table and put a hand on Tom’s shoulder to keep him in his seat.
“You sit and catch up with your friends. I’ll do the washing up. It’s the least I can do after a meal like that.” He picked up Tom’s plate and added it to his own.
“I don’t mind—” Tom started to protest.
“I know you don’t, but I want to do it. It won’t take long.” Bailey collected the rest of the plates and carried the stack behind the cafe counter to the food prep area. He started to scrape and rinse the plates and cutlery in the large stainless steel sink. Tom’s laughter as he chatted to his mates carried across the room and over the sound of the running water. But instead of lightness filling his chest, Bailey was weighed down by thoughts of inadequacy, a feeling that he didn’t fit in with this particular group of people no matter how nice they seemed—
“Let me give you a hand.”
The clatter was loud as Bailey dropped a handful of cutlery at the unexpected voice.
“Sorry.” Phil reached for the knives and forks in the bottom of the sink. “Thought I’d help.”
“Thanks.”
Phil put the cutlery in the dishwasher as he chatted easily, keeping the conversation flowing as he told Bailey about his last holiday. Phil had spent a week skiing at the family’s lodge in Perisher.Of course, he had. Bailey mentally shook his head at his own sarcastic thought. It was hard to hold any animosity despite his own feelings of inadequacy. Phil couldn’t help who his family was any more than Bailey had control over his own. And from what Tom had said, his mates were all decent guys. Still….
“Thank, mate.” He nodded at Phil as he dried his hands.
“No worries.”
They headed back to the table. Bailey stopped by Tom’s chair. “I might leave you guys to it,” Bailey said, addressing the group but really talking to Tom.
Tom looked up. “Really? We’re going to play a couple of hands.”
“Yeah, you should join in. We could use some fresh blood,” Elliot said, his voice full of humour.
