‘All right.’
At closing time, Sarah, Fran, Felix and Hattie climbed into her car and set off on the short drive to the local pub. No one spoke. If Fran and Felix knew the cause of the latest staff meeting, they weren’t letting on.
As they made their way into the beer garden, it surprised Sarah to see Millie nursing a glass of wine at the furthest table. What was she doing there?
Just as she’d promised, Hattie bought the first round of drinks, setting them in front of everyone and taking a deep breath.
‘I know this is unorthodox,’ she said, taking a sip of her pint. ‘But I wanted to talk to you all together. We have some news.’ Hattie took Millie’s hand in hers and smiled. ‘Do you want to tell them, or should I?’
Please, not another wedding, thought Sarah.
‘You do it,’ said Millie.
‘Right, well, my amazing, talented, incredible partner here…’
Millie groaned.
‘Sorry,’ laughed Hattie. ‘My lovely partner Millie has been headhunted.’
‘Oh, that’s wonderful, love,’ said Fran, smiling for the first time that day.
‘Yes, it is…’ Hattie looked round the table. ‘The only slight issue is that the restaurant is in Sydney.’
‘Sydney?’ asked Fran.
‘Australia.’
‘Congratulations,’ said Felix, grinning from ear to ear and leaning over to give Millie a hug.
‘They’ll be lucky to have you,’ said Fran, patting Millie’s hand.
‘What about the café?’ asked Sarah.
‘That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,’ said Hattie. ‘There will be some changes. Millie’s got another think coming if she thinks I’m going to let her go to Australia without me.’
‘I wouldn’t dare,’ said Millie. Everyone laughed except for Sarah.
‘What does that mean for our jobs?’
‘Nothing in the short term. We won’t be leaving until the end of summer, so for the next few months, everything will stay the same. When we leave, I want the café left in safe hands. That’s why…’ said Hattie, creating a drum roll on the table. ‘I’ve asked Felix to take over managing the café. To my immense relief he said yes.’
‘Well, isn’t that wonderful,’ said Fran. ‘Not that you’re leaving, of course, but that Felix will run it. You’ll do a great job,’ she said, patting Felix on the arm.
‘I will with you by my side,’ he replied.
Sarah felt sick. How could Hattie conceive of leaving the café in the care of Felix? He wasn’t trustworthy. He was a thief. Sarah weighed up her options. If she exposed his stealing now, in front of the group, he’d worm his way out of it. Everyone would buy into his lies. He’d still get the manager's job and wouldn’t hesitate to throw Sarah out on her ear.
‘This calls for a drink,’ said Sarah. ‘Same again, everyone? Hattie, could you come and help me at the bar?’
‘Sure,’ said Hattie, following Sarah inside.
Before they reached the bar, Sarah grabbed Hattie’s arm and pulled her into a corner.
‘I need to speak to you in confidence.’
‘Look, Sarah. I know you and Felix haven’t always seen eye to eye, but you don’t need to worry about your job. He’s promised to keep you on, and even if he tried to get rid of you, he’d have to get past Fran first.’ Hattie laughed, but Sarah remained grim-faced.
‘That’s not what I’m worried about. There’s something you need to know about Felix. He’s a thief.’
