“I’m sorry. Do you have any more tattoos?”
He chuckles. “It’s ironic that each time I inked up one of my dreams, they disappeared out of reach, so I never bothered again.”
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out with you and Miss Daisy. She must’ve been special for you to get a tattoo for her.”
He pulls a white t-shirt on, hiding all the details of the lion and flowers. “Yeah, she was. Still is, she just doesn’t want me.”
My eyebrows pinch. “Why not?” I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to be with Gray. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man.
He shrugs his shoulder. “She chose a career instead.” His voice is curt, and I don’t push for more. He pulls his jeans on and slips on his tired Nike trainers, then disappears out of the apartment, his footsteps travel down the stairs.
I open the box I dug out from the junk room and dust off some old photo albums. Turning the page, my great-uncle in his younger days has his arm around Betty. A smile pushes my cheeks up, and I turn another page. Mum and Gray’s mum as teenagers stand outside the tea shop. The main shop sign is still the same to this day.
Another photo at the back of the album is Mum and I in front of the silver Christmas tree. I laugh silently at how bushy and sparkly it used to be, compared to how it was yesterday when I threw it out. Seeing this photograph almost makes me regret getting rid of it, but it’s lost its lustre, like everything else.
Christmas hasn’t been the same since Mum passed. I couldn’t face coming back here without her, but now I’m here, I feel like she’s with me. My fingers trace over Mum’s face. I miss her, but looking through these photos isn’t as painful as I thought it would be. I’m glad Gray didn’t throw them out.
* * *
The girls, Glory and Trudy, have done nothing but chat amongst themselves all morning while serving the odd customer. They didn’t both need to be in today. Not with Gray and I as well. If he wants to make a profit, he needs to make some cuts. Paying for two staff members when one will do is probably the first thing to implement.
I wave Glory off as she leaves, then continue looking through the accounts. “Gray, do you have a moment?”
“Sure.” He slips his notepad and pencil into his apron with a slogan that reads ‘nice until proven naughty’. It’s cute on him and makes me smile every time I catch a glimpse of it.
“Your tea supplier is expensive. I’ve been online, and you can get the same quantity at half the price.”
“They’re special blends. Authentic British blends that you can’t buy locally. We have them shipped, which is why they cost more.”
“I doubt anyone would notice if you changed supplier.”
“Your aunt was adamant that she wanted this brand. She wouldn’t touch any other.”
“Betty isn’t here now, Gray. We are, and we need to make some changes if we’re going to survive.” I flip the page in the folder for the invoices. “What is this invoice for $214 from Cocoa Corner?”
“Oh, that’s Tizzy. She owns the local chocolate shop and supplies little chocolates that we give out with certain drinks.”
“So, is this a monthly invoice? Why are they so bloody expensive?”
“Because they taste good, and they’re handmade.” He whisks behind the counter and brings a few chocolates on a floral plate with gold edging. “Try for yourself.”
“I’m good, thanks. I’ve just eaten the sandwich you made me.”
“Just try them.”
“I don’t need to try them. No piece of chocolate, handmade or not, is worth this much money. It’s a waste. You need to cut this bill in half. It’s eating into your profit.”
“I won’t do that. Tizzy works hard in that shop and created a range just for us to compliment our speciality tea blends. It’s not all about money. She did that to support us, and I help her out, too.”
I stiffen my spine. Something about Gray helping Tizzy rubs me the wrong way.
“Plus, your aunt always liked to support local businesses.”
“My aunt didn’t know how to run a business. It’s nice to support others, but charity begins at home. If we don’t make some cutbacks and earn some profit, this place won’t be here by Christmas.”
“Why do you care? You’re not even sticking around.”
“I meant you. I’m trying to help you here, Gray. And while we’re at it,” I lean over and whisper. “You need to let some staff go.”
