Page 15 of The House on Waterfall Hill

‘There is a small kitty of money,’ Luke said. ‘If there is some decorating or any repairs that need doing, especially with your plans to reopen the café, there is a bit of money to do any renovations with.’

‘Oh my nan never mentioned that. I got the impression she didn’t have any money at all.’

‘It’s just for any improvements or repairs. So let me know what you need and I’ll get it for you or arrange it. I know a lot of local tradespeople so I can get jobs done quite quickly.’

Flick felt herself brighten at the prospect of smartening up the place. ‘I’ll make a list today.’

She looked around. They were on the far side of the village green, which was surrounded by brightly coloured shops and houses. She was surprised to see pirate flags flying from every tree, lamppost and shop window. There were skeletons in cages, parrots perched on top of lamp posts, and cannons dotted around the green that certainly hadn’t been there when she used to come here as a child.

‘What’s with all the pirate stuff?’

‘Oh, we have our annual pirate festival on Saturday, everyone dresses up, there’s skirmishes on the boats, cannons being fired and lots of bands singing sea shanties. It’s a lot of fun. Well, for half the town. The other half all roll their eyes and laugh at grown adults dressing up.’

‘Which half are you?’

He closed one eye and hooked a finger. ‘Arrr,’ he growled.

She laughed.

Polly came over then with two trays laden with burgers and fries. They both thanked her and she went back to the van.

Flick tucked into her burger. ‘Oh my god, this is amazing.’

Luke grinned. ‘I know, Bumblebees does the best burgers in Lovegrove Bay.’

Flick popped a chip in her mouth. ‘These are great too, crispy, fluffy and perfectly seasoned.’

‘I think she uses paprika.’

‘They’re delicious.’

‘Polly is a culinary queen. She does the best bacon or sausage sandwiches in the mornings for breakfast, and burgers, baked potatoes and other sandwiches for lunch. A lot of people just come here for the fries. She does great hot chocolates too, with lots of different flavours. Coffees and teas too of course.’

‘Do you think she wants a job running a café?’ Flick joked.

Luke paused with a chip halfway to his mouth. ‘Why don’t you ask her? Her Bumblebee van is a bit limited in terms of size and its cooking capabilities but it’s flexible, she can take it wherever she wants and Waterfall House is a little bit out of the way so not as much footfall as she gets down here. But we used to get loads of visitors up there when the caféwasopen so maybe being out the way won’t matter with the right person running the place.’

Flick swallowed her mouthful of burger as she stared at him. She wasn’t sure whether Polly would go for it, but there was only one way to find out. As Polly was clearing away the rubbish from the next table, Flick waved her over.

‘Is everything OK with the food?’ Polly asked, as she walked closer.

‘Everything is great. Better than great actually. We were wondering if you wanted a job?’

Polly looked at her in surprise. ‘A catering job?’

‘I’m from Waterfall House, up on Waterfall Hill.’

‘The House with the Wonky Tree? Yes, I know it.’

‘I’m Audrey’s granddaughter and I’m taking over themanagement of the place. We want to reopen the café and we’d like you to run it.’

Polly blinked in surprise.

‘It’d be totally yours to do with what you want. But really we’d like the same kind of thing you’re doing here, bacon and sausage sandwiches for breakfast, burgers, chips, baked potatoes and sandwiches for lunch, maybe some cakes. Though if you wanted to do something more elaborate that would be fine too.’

‘What are your terms? Am I renting the place off you or are you employing me and paying me a wage?’

Flick cursed that she hadn’t really thought this through. She certainly didn’t have any money to employ her and she didn’t want to have to think about sorting out national insurance or anything else as an employer.

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