‘I’m too good at making coffees. Taken loads of barista courses since I rocked up here so my skills are better served front of house. I’d love the occasional day up to my elbows in soap suds, but it’s never gonna happen. Did Hattie show you how to use the coffee machine?’
‘No. She was supposed to but claimed she was too busy all day.’
‘Well, that’s true,’ said Felix. ‘It was mad busy. Ever since we were in the local paper, people have been flocking here for our cakes and coffees. Did Fran tell you we’re up for an award?’
‘No.’
‘Yeah, some big awards ceremony up country. All thanks to Fran’s wizardry in the kitchen. You’ll learn a lot from her.’
‘You mean I’m going to be stuck in the kitchen all the time?’
Felix frowned and scrubbed his hands through his messy hair. ‘You hate it that much?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then how about I give you a lesson in coffee making now?’
‘Now?’
‘Yes, no time like the present.’
‘But the café’s closed.’
Felix dug around in his pocket and pulled out a bunch of keys. ‘Ta da. Problem solved.’
‘Won’t Hattie mind?’
‘No, I’ll be doing her a favour. Training newbies is a bit much on top of everything else she has to do.’
‘So I’ve noticed.’
‘That’s harsh. She’s doing such a great job running the place with so little back-up.’
‘If you say so.’
Felix let out a loud sigh. ‘Do you want me to train you up or not?’
‘Fine. It’s not like there’s anything else to do around here.’
They left the tipi and squelched their way back to the café. It was eerie with no one there, like a school with no pupils, or an empty train station. Felix switched on the lights and set the coffee machine spurting into life.
‘We’ll start with the basics and work up to the more complex orders. I’ll be your taste tester.’
‘Isn’t it a bit late to be drinking coffee?’
‘Not for me. I can sleep anywhere, anytime.’
‘All right for some.’
‘You don’t sleep well?’
‘Not lately.’
‘Oh dear. If you have any trouble sleeping in the tipi, you know where to find me.’
‘What? In the middle of the night? Thanks, but no thanks.’
Felix laughed. ‘I didn’t mean it like that. Right,’ he said, turning to the coffee machine, ‘you start off by putting fresh ground coffee in here.’
