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I noticed a few boys and girls from school sitting at one of the tables. A couple of them were from my year, and one boy in particular caught my eye, mainly because he was very popular and always seemed to be surrounded by pals. Wonder what that’s like.
He was in my art class, but I’d also seen him out on the sports pitch training with the school rugby team. I didn’t know much about rugby; however, he seemed to play an important position because he tended to be running with the ball a lot.
Yes, that was the extent of my knowledge.
He was also ridiculously good looking, tall with chestnut brown eyes that held a kindness, dark blond hair that was longer on top with a bit of a wave to it, classically handsome features and broad, sturdy looking shoulders. His looks weren’t the only reason I tended to notice him, though. He had this happy-go-lucky, carefree energy, like the world was his oyster, his future bright and full of promise. Again, I wondered what that felt like. Some people were just blessed to have it all, it seemed.
“Would you like to order something, or are you just going to stare at Tristan Balfe all day?” Someone asked, and I realised I’d made it to the top of the queue and was standing in front of the girl with the blue-black hair.
Tristan Balfe? As in, the Balfe hotel where my sister worked? Right, I did recall her saying it was a family business. That explained a lot. If my family owned a fancy five-star hotel, I’d be happy-go-lucky and carefree, too.
“Oh, um, no,” I replied, flustered, and she smirked.
“No, you don’t want to order, or no, you’re not going to keep staring at Tristan?”
“No to both,” I managed and found myself pressing my fingernails into my palms, hoping the dull sting would rid away my nerves. “I noticed the ‘Help Wanted’ sign out front and was wondering if you’re still looking for someone?”
The girl studied me a moment, tilting her head. “I haven’t seen you around here before.”
“I’m Erin. I just moved here, so I don’t know a lot of people yet, but I really need a part-time job right now. I’d be grateful if—”
“All right, follow me,” she said and began taking off her apron.
My heart fluttered. “Pardon?”
“Things are starting to slow down. I’ll interview you now to see if you’re the right fit.”
Oh, God. An interview right this minute? But I’d had no time to prepare. “Uh … are you in charge of hiring?”
“My grandmother owns this place. She said I can have final say on who we employ, so yeah, I’m in charge.” She looked to the woman who was busy clearing a table that had just been vacated. “Marie, will you keep an eye on things for a few minutes?”
“Sure,” Marie replied.
“I don’t have a CV with me.”
“That’s fine. You can email it to me later. I’m Tara, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Tara.”
She led me to a small table in the back of the café and sat down. Still aware of the students from my school boisterously laughing and joking nearby, I took the seat across from her. I was a little nervous to be interviewed in a public setting, but I tried to remind myself to relax. This girl was my age, and she seemed cool. I didn’t need to be stressing.
“So, Erin,” Tara began. “Do you have any experience in food service?”
“Not as such, but I used to work in a pub collecting glasses back in Roscommon. I couldn’t work behind the bar because I was still underage at the time, but—”
“Is that where you used to live?” she asked, and I nodded.
“Why did your family move here?”
Hmm, a little nosy, but this girl was the decider in whether I got a job, so I ran with it. “It’s just my sister and me. She’s been my legal guardian since my dad passed away. She was offered a new job here, so that’s why we moved.”
Her black rimmed eyes coloured with sympathy. “That sucks about your dad. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.”
“It must be tough, just you and your sister trying to make ends meet.”
“It can be. I’m actually not going to be able to stay with her for much longer, so I’m hoping to find my own place, rent a room in a house share, maybe.”
