Page 112 of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

Someone like me?

I feel like I should push the feeling of being brave further and ask him but the kitchen door opens and in walks Carlos and Oz. I hurriedly withdraw my hands from George’s but not before I see Carlos noticing and frowning.

‘George was just?—’

‘I hear you’re Oscars?’ George says, stepping forward to shake their hands. ‘I love your food.’

‘Yeah?’ Carlos asks. ‘I haven’t seen you in our bakery before and I definitely would have remembered you.’

I wince at Carlos’s tone.

‘I found out about you from a friend who lives in the building. I’ve been meaning to pay your bakery a visit and after tonight, I’m going to make a point of it.’

‘Tell all your friends,’ Carlos says, his tone softening a miniscule. ‘We could do with all the customers we can get.’

‘You’re the guy in advertising?’ Oz says, oblivious to Carlos’s hard stares. ‘We could do with your advice. We’re trying to get the word out but haven’t the resources to spend on marketing.’

‘Oh, but George isn’t here to dish out free advice all evening,’ I interject.

‘That’s okay,’ George says with a quick smile for me before answering, ‘You need to get your customers to help you out.’

‘How so?’ Carlos asks.

‘Do you have something like a hashtag frame customers can take a selfie in front of and tag your premises? Or, Ashleigh mentioned you’re thinking of doing a gallery wall of local artists? Maybe you could start with that and post selfies on your channels?’

‘Ashleigh told you we were thinking of doing a gallery?’ Carlos asks, looking mystified.

‘It was Oz’s idea,’ I chime in.

‘You need more than one approach,’ George adds. ‘The crucial question is what do you want from your advertising?’

‘More customers,’ Carlos answers. ‘I figure we can retain loyalty once they taste the goods.’

‘Good point. But you need focus. More private chef customers or more walk-ins to the bakery. People hiring a private chef want a very different online experience to people visiting a bakery.’

Carlos slowly nods. ‘If it’s a private chef it’s about the food, if it’s someone coming into the bakery, then being online includes our personalities.’

‘That’s it exactly.’

‘Carlos is in business school,’ Oz says proudly.

‘The main problem is that while everyone loves Oz,’ Carlos muses, ‘Oz only loves a select few.’

‘Then focus your online presence on baking so that when they visit you can turn them into regular customers.’

‘I like the sound of that better,’ Oz says. ‘What do you suggest?’

‘Off the top of my head? Well, alongside getting mentions on socials why not offer something like private Bake-Dates?’

‘Bake-Dates?’

‘An immersive experience. Couples come and learn to bake together. Maybe teach them one of your signature bakes? That way, they heard about it online but then also fall in love with the experience in person so keep coming back and tell all their friends too.’

‘That’s not a bad idea,’ Carlos says and then, turning to Oz, ‘Do you think you’d be comfortable being that front of house?’

Oz’s smile is soft and makes my heart go gooey as he replies, ‘If it helps save the business, with you at my side, I can do anything.’

‘I’ll help,’ I add, without thinking.

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