‘You don’t believe me?’
‘No, it’s not that. It’s just there are always two sides to every story, and I’d like to know the full picture if possible.’
‘He claimed he didn’t know I was in there.’
‘How’s that possible?’
‘Exactly.’ Sarah folded her arms and humphed with victory.
‘No, I mean, how is that possible? What reasons did he give?’
‘He claimed he had his headphones on and was half asleep.’
‘And you don’t think that’s plausible?’
‘And you do?’ Sarah looked at Hattie, ignoring the niggling feeling that she might have gone too far. There was no option but to stick to her guns.
‘I suggest we leave this conversation here for the moment. When Felix comes in, I’ll listen to his account of what happened and take it from there. I’m not saying I don’t believe you,’ said Hattie, leaning over and patting Sarah’s arm. ‘But it’s only fair I talk to Felix, too.’
‘OK. Why did you want to talk to me?’
‘Yes, um…’ Hattie took a swig of coffee and avoided catching Sarah’s eye. ‘Now, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I’m not sure you’re cut out for waitressing.’
The room began to spin, and Sarah felt the telltale signs of panic seeking her out. What would she do? She had no money, nowhere to go. She’d be homeless on the streets. ‘You’re… you’re… you’re… firing me?’
‘God no!’ Hattie leaned forward and met Sarah’s eyes with her own. ‘Sarah, take deep breaths, in, out, in, out.’
Sarah closed her eyes.In two, three, four, hold two, three, four, out two, three, four, hold two, three, four. ‘I don’t understand what you’re saying,’ she managed when her heart rate reduced to a scamper rather than a full-blown samba band.
‘What I’m saying is I think you’re better suited to working in the kitchen with Fran. You get on well with Fran, don’t you?’
‘Yes.’
‘And she’s keen to work with you. She told me you have potential. Between you and me, I think she’s eyeing you up as her protégé.’
Sarah decided Hattie must be lying. There was no way after a few days working together, Fran would have said all that.
‘I’ve just been finding my feet, that’s all. Please don’t demote me so early into my time here.’
Hattie laughed. ‘Sarah, this isn’t a demotion. Fran’s a modest lady, but she has a stellar reputation. If anything, being her sidekick is a promotion, not a demotion.’
‘But why won’t you give me another chance at waitressing?’
‘Urgh, I didn’t want to go here, but you may as well know. I’ve had some complaints about you.’
‘Complaints? From who?’
‘Customers, but also two Saturday girls.’
Sarah thought back over the past week. Nothing stood out as being cause for complaint.
‘I don’t get it. What am I supposed to have done?’
‘It’s not what you’ve done. It’s more your attitude. The complaints have all centred on the way you speak to people. You’ve been called rude and a little aggressive.’
Sarah let out a mirthless laugh. ‘Aggressive? Me? That’s nonsense and you know it. I’ll work in the kitchen because I like and respect Fran. You don’t need to make up silly reasons to convince me.’
Sarah stormed through to the kitchen, leaving Hattie shaking her head and wondering what the hell she’d done bringing Sarah into the team.
