Felix laughed. ‘You’re talking to me about team dynamics?’
‘What’s funny about that?’
‘You’re hardly a team player.’
How was it that despite Felix being in the wrong, he was making her out to be the bad guy? ‘I think you’ve said enough. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve got work to do.’
‘Fine, if you want to be like that.’ Felix marched out of the kitchen, letting the door slam behind him.
Sarah pounded her fists into a bowl of dough. The fragile happiness she’d built was at risk. She thought back to the call with her mother. There couldn’t be a worse time for Cynthia to drop in on her new life.
Chapter 31
Sarahstaredatthetray of scones not long out of the oven. She frowned, counting them for the sixth time.
‘Fran? Has anyone been in the kitchen while we were on our break?’
‘How would I know? I was out there with you,’ said Fran.
‘I think someone’s been stealing.’
Fran laughed. ‘Sarah, it’s a few scones. You must have miscounted.’
‘I didn’t. I was careful to make the exact amount, just like you asked. Someone’s been in here and taken some.’
‘Why don’t you look on the counter? Someone’s probably come in and plated a few up while we were on our break.’
Sarah walked through to the café. She studied the counter. Cakes and pastries filled every inch of surface space, but there were no scones to be seen.
‘Who took the scones from the kitchen?’ demanded Sarah. Hattie looked up from the till, Felix turned from the coffee machine, and the two Saturday girls sniggered.
‘Sarah? What’s this about?’ Hattie asked.
‘Someone has stolen five of my scones.’
One of the Saturday girls spluttered and covered her mouth with her hand.
‘It was you, wasn’t it?’ said Sarah, pointing her finger at the young girl.
The Saturday girl flushed a deep red and shook her head. ‘I’ve been nowhere near the kitchen,’ she said to Hattie. ‘I’ve been here with you all morning.’
‘Sarah, if there’s a problem with the food, it’s best we discuss it in the kitchen,’ said Hattie, glancing at the customers turning to look.
‘It’s a simple matter. We can sort it out now if someone will just own up.’
Hattie apologised to the customer she was dealing with, grabbed Sarah’s arm, and guided her back to the kitchen.
‘Whatever’s going on?’ asked Fran.
‘That’s what I’d like to know,’ said Hattie, red-faced and nothing like the relaxed, friendly woman Sarah knew. ‘Sarah has just come through to the café and accused the staff of stealing scones. Scones for goodness’ sake! Of all the things to get your knickers in a twist about, she picks a few bloody cheese scones.’
‘It’s the principle of the matter,’ said Sarah, standing her ground despite her confidence slipping. She’d been on edge ever since things with Felix went wrong. Was she overreacting? She took a deep breath. ‘Stealing is stealing, whether it’s a Rolex watch or a cheese scone.’
‘I don’t think they’re comparable,’ said Hattie, taking a deep breath.
‘Hattie’s right, love,’ said Fran, walking to Sarah and putting an arm around her. ‘What’s this really about?’
‘It’s about what I said it’s about. Can none of you see the problem here? Someone is stealing food and you don’t give a damn about it.’
