Page 110 of Tiers of Joy

“Oh fuck! I can’t! I'm so sorry, I can't.” I giggle, holding my stomach.

Amy is now giggling with me.

“What on earth is with you two?” He asks.

“Seriously?! You don’t hear it?” I ask wiping the tears from my face.

“No, clearly I don’t.” He snaps back.

“Major. Dick. Stroker.” I state his name slowly back to him.

“What?” He asks. “You are clearly high. I’m leaving! Never in my life have I been interviewed in such unprofessional manner.” He stands and leaves. Amy and I are roaring with laughter.

“Ahh Major Dick Stroker! I’m sorry but you need to lighten up! Don’t be such a stiff!” I cry laughing. “Oh god I’m going to pee my pants.” I giggle.

After we’ve calmed ourselves down we welcome the next applicant.

“I’ve got this Amy.” I say, holding up my hand.

“Let’s just cut to the chase. We’ve had the most surreal interviews and I just want to go home. So what’s your name?” I ask.

The woman looks uncomfortable.

“Uh…Dawn Sullivan.” She answers nervously.

“Good, now do you wash regularly and have good hygiene i.e. not bringing in your own bottle of piss as perfume?” I ask.

She looks even more baffled by this question.

“Err, yes I have good hygiene and no I don’t carry around my urine in bottles.” She answers.

“Great, you like cakes? Can carry a cup of coffee?” I ask.

“Yes.” She nods.

“Great, the job is yours! Amy will fill you in on all of the necessary details. I’m off home.” I say smiling.

“Welcome to the madhouse Dawn!” I yell over my should as I leave.

I tell Gaige about the interviews and he thinks I’m lying.

“I swear it’s the truth! I don’t even know if the other candidates turned up; I just had to leave to get out of there. I feel bad for leaving Amy to deal with it. I will give her some of her favourite cake as an apology tomorrow.” I sigh as Gaige massages my feet.

“Oh god.” I moan. “I'm exhausted.”

“You need to start taking it easy. Oh and before you bite my head off, you need to look after yourself for the baby.” He points out.

“I know, I know. I find it hard to step back what with the café opening. It’s just I can’t let it fall apart. I have to make sure that it all goes smoothly.” I say, yawning.

“I know but today you’ve been on your feet for fifteen hours. You need to slow it down. Promise me that after the opening you’ll slow it down.” He pleads.

“Fine. I promise after the opening I will slow it down.” I promise.

Later that night before bed Amy texts. It turns out that Dawn was perfect for the job; she was a single parent of two and was desperate for the job. I smile to myself, at least one good thing came from those disastrous interviews.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I walk around the upstairs of the bakery, my old apartment, and I cannot wipe the smile from my face. Bob has opened it all right up; he even put in a mini library and a reading nook for children. One wall is painted with chalk board paint so that the kids can draw and the adults can too if they wish. There is a couch, armchairs, coffee tables, and even some bean bags. The dark wood, open fireplace, and brightly coloured furniture makes it a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

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