Page 65 of In the Long Run
‘Don’t get scared,’ he volleys back.
‘I’m not—’ I stop because I don’t know how to finish the sentence.Scared would be downplaying it.I’m fucking terrified.That I’m going to want more than I can have.That my years of learning to be level-headed will be undone by more kisses, more touches.That I never learnt how to choose myself.
Eugene stands and walks over to me.He puts his hand on my shoulder, and the weight of it combines with the sincerity in his gaze to anchor me to the ground.
‘It was instantaneous with my Alizée.It does happen, mate.And it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.If she was here’—he blinks and I reach up to grasp his hand—‘I’m sure she’d say the same thing.Let things develop and take your time.See where they go.’
He’s always known me better than I know myself.
I manage a smile.‘I’ll be back soon, okay?’
I knew it was Brand.The smug bastard sits at a table in the corner of Alizée’s, sipping a takeaway coffee from the café closest to his office.The morning paper is spread across his table and his foot taps idly against the floor.He looks up, sees me and lifts his cup in salute.
I’ll deal with him later.I push through the gate in the front counter, and head down the hallway, looking for Celeste.
‘We’ll take some food samples and send them to the lab for tests,’ a deep male voice says.
‘We’ve never had an issue before.Nothing like this has ever happened,’ Celeste says.The worried edge to her voice makes me speed up.
I grab my cap and apron off their hook in the break room, not wanting to give the council any actual ammunition for what I know are baseless accusations.
‘Knox.’Celeste sighs when I step into the kitchen before introducing me to the Environmental Health Officers.We shake hands and I have to remind myself to not cross my arms or let any of my frustration at Brand show.Being defensive isn’t the right play here.We haven’t done anything wrong.
‘Can someone please catch me up on what’s going on?’I say.
Celeste has already explained, but I’d like to hear the officers’ version to confirm what we’re really up against.A stocky man with a friendly face and a large clipboard details the complaint against Alizée’s and their investigative process.
‘We’ve already done a tour of the kitchen, and I’ve provided a copy of all of our pest control logs,’ Celeste adds.
‘Is there anything else you need?’It’s a struggle to keep my tone even but I manage.Just.
‘This all seems above board.We’ll run some tests to be sure, but I don’t think you’ll have any issues.This place is spotless and all your records are up to date.’
A grim smile is the best I can do.
‘We’ll get out of your hair,’ the stocky guy says, pocketing his pen and flipping his clipboard shut.The other picks up the bag containing the samples.‘Have a good day now.’
‘Thank you,’ Celeste says.
‘Here.’I point at the back door to the car park where their council van is parked.‘Quicker if you go this way.’And I’d prefer that as few people as possible see them here.
‘Well, that sucked,’ Celeste says as I shut the back door and flick the lock, giving it a jiggle when it gets stuck.I add replacing it to the list of things I need to fix at Alizée’s.
‘If anyone asks, tell them that it was a routine inspection.’
‘On a Saturday morning?I didn’t even think the council was open on the weekends.’Her eyes are wide.
‘I think someone used their family name to call in a favour and to try to stir up trouble for us.’
‘Oh,’ she says.‘I was so worried though.Eugene and you have trusted me to run this place and then …’
‘They’re not going to find anything in our samples,’ I say firmly.‘This is Brand Bolton wanting to get Gen back and take control of this building for his new real estate office.And if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go and have a word with him.’
But he’s not there.Like the coward he’s always been, all that’s left is the coffee cup advertising our competition.
Whatever.Let Brand pull his stupid little stunts.He’s not going to get the reaction he wants from me.It’s time to stop focusing on the stuff I can’t control and prioritise what I can, which is having fun with Gen and all the other Croissant and Kilometres members running the Rail Trail.
It’s time to do something for me.And I’m all in.
