“How about now? Emma, you’re okay to continue on your own for a bit?” Bailey said.
“Sure.” She gave a thumbs up and immediately bent her head to the book.
Bailey followed Tom to the back of the cafe, helping him clear a table on their way past. They put the dishes on the counter next to the sink.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said, about offering a job to one of your kids.”
Bailey laughed. “They’re not my kids.”
Tom elbowed him and chuckled. “You know what I mean. Besides, they may as well be your kids, with how much you worry about them.”
Bailey’s face grew serious, his brows tightening. “Someone has to. Everyone needs someone to worry about them, someone to rely on. There are some parents that just shouldn’t have kids.”
“Agreed. Thank goodness for friends, huh?” Tom glanced to where Emma sat, still engrossed in her book. “Anyway, business has been picking up and I’ve got a few hours I’m looking to fill each day—waiting tables, making coffee, washing dishes.”
“I’m so glad you’re open to one of the kids.” Bailey reached out, giving Tom’s arm a squeeze through the fabric of his shirt.
“To be honest, it wasn’t my first option. I did contact Bobby yesterday. He’s the guy who used to work here in the mornings before I had to let him go. I wanted to give him first dibs. But it turns out he’s happy at his new job and they can offer him more hours than I can at the moment. But your suggestion made a great plan B.”
Bailey gave his arm another squeeze. “I’m glad you gave Bobby a call. I know you felt bad when you had to tell him there wasn’t enough work. But I hope it’s okay that a little part of me is glad he turned you down.”
Tom chuckled. “Not at all. I’m glad I can help out. Now tell me more about Cassie. She’s the one you thought would be a good fit?”
Bailey nodded. “Either her or Jude.” He launched into the story of Cassie’s background—not all the personal details but enough about her work experience to reassure Tom that she’d waited tables before and knew her way around a till.
“Will you pass on my details to her?” he asked.
“You bet. I’ll do it tonight so she can catch up with you tomorrow. Unless that’s too early?”
“It’s perfect. The sooner the better. You think she’ll be interested?”
“Iknowshe will.” Bailey’s lips tilted in a smile. “I’m so glad things are looking up for you. And looking up for Cassie.”
“Me too.”
And Tom meant that from the bottom of his heart. He hadn’t felt so positive and hopeful about his future for a very long time, and he was happy he wasn’t the only one who had good things happening in his life.
* * *
By the beginning of September, business was picking up, so much so that having both Lauren and Cassie on board was now essential. Without the two casual workers, Tom had no doubt he’d be losing business due to his inability to keep up and serve customers in a timely manner—office workers didn’t want to wait around for takeaway coffee or waste their lunch break waiting for food. But he had other concerns too, things that were essential to get done to ensure he kept making forward progress.
He looked to Bailey as they walked down the aisle of the hardware store and stopped at a shelving display. “You see, the new office buildings also bring new cafes and I can’t afford to be left behind. There’s a risk I won’t attract new customers or I’ll even lose my existing customer base to the new businesses. Even if they aren’t attracted by the new and shiny, those cafes are bound to have opening specials and promotions designed to attract new customers.”
Bailey took a bottle from the shelf and passed it to Tom. “So you have to have something to keep your customers and to entice the workers in those new buildings to venture out and discover Take Two?”
“Exactly.” Tom took the sugar soap and scanned its label. “This makes up to forty litres and it’s only a couple of bucks. Good choice.” He dropped it in the trolley, along with the sandpaper, scraper, and other painting preparation supplies. “Everyone keeps telling me they love the atmosphere at Take Two—”
“That’s because it’s fabulous. Comfortable and cosy. Plus you make great coffee.”
Tom smiled at Bailey’s enthusiasm and was chuffed that Bailey was obviously his number-one fan. “Thanks. I agree it’s got a nice feel about the place, but there’s a difference between old world charm and plain decrepit. There are lots of areas in that building that are starting to get too close to old and worn rather than just showing character. I need to spruce things up a bit, give the interior a bit of a makeover without going over the top. Clean and fresh, not modern and cold.”
Bailey walked at his side as he pushed the trolley into the next aisle. “So a bit of painting? What else do you have planned?”
“Eventually I’d like to do the kitchen area. New appliances, new countertop, better storage, that type of thing. But for now I’m going to stick to the dining area and front counter because those are the areas the customers see. Fresh paint on the walls, sand the floors, and I’ll see if I can stretch to new fabric on the lounges. I’m not so good with interior design but I have a few ideas for decorating the space plus I’ve budgeted for some new crockery. Later I’ll do the fireplace and update the lighting.”
“It’s a long list.”
“Yep. Lucky I’ve got time.”
