Page 51 of A Spot of Tea
The manager, a middle-aged woman in a cardigan and high-waisted pants, emerged her office and greeted Eliza with a handshake. “I was wondering when you’d come back, or if you ever would.”
“To be honest, I didn’t think I could do it.” She stopped herself. “I’m sorry, I know you had it much worse. I slept through most of the robbery.”
The manager laughed. “Please, let’s not compare trauma. We’re doing okay here. The bank sent a counselor to talk to all of us. Have you talked to anyone?”
Just to the bank robber, day in and day out. “No.”
“Come with me. Do you want some tea? Water?”
“Tea would be nice.”
She stopped at an electric kettle and made up two cups of Earl Grey before leading the way to her office.
Eliza cleared her throat. “This is going to sound silly, but I’ve been trying to learn more about the robbery.”
A smile crossed her face. “Hoping to get the reward?”
“It’s not just that. I’m trying to reclaim some of my dignity.”
And sanity, though that seemed like a lost cause.
“Your dignity!” The manager snorted a laugh. “Oh, stop. No one understands how scary it is to be in that sort of a situation. I can’t count how many people told me how they would’ve handled it better than I did.”
Eliza smiled. She took a sip of tea and the tension loosed from her muscles. “I’ve had a similar experience.”
“I’m happy to help in any way I can, but to be honest, he wasn’t here much longer than you were.” She set her tea down. “After you fainted, he took a few thousand dollars from us, emptied the ATM, and drove off in his truck. He didn’t leave anything behind.”
Eliza frowned. “What did he seem like to you? Charming? Funny?”Good at flying?
The manager looked up at the ceiling, biting her lip. “If I had to put it in a word, I’d say professional.”
It was her first time hearing that. “Really.”
“He knew what he was doing, as in he was sure of every action. I know he’s robbed banks before, but it was something else.” She shook her head. “I told this to the police, but I think he either works in our banks or knows someone who does.”
Eliza raised an eyebrow. “That’s interesting.”
“I thought so, but the agent interviewing me thanked me for my ‘astute conjecture’ and said to leave it to the professionals.”
Now it was Eliza’s turn to laugh. “Was it Agent Stacy? Skinny with long dark hair?”
“Yeah, that’s the one.”
At least Eliza wasn’t the only one Stacy was mean to. That was a small comfort. “She thought I was involved in the robbery, and I was playing dumb.” Eliza leaned in. “I cannot stress this enough: IswearI had nothing to do with it. I’m so sorry I helped him walk in here. I was afraid to show my face again…I’ll never live it down.”
The manager waved a hand. “Please, don’t apologize! He was coming to rob the bank with or without you. It wasn’t your fault. Don’t beat yourself up about it.”
This woman was so nice. And sort of cool. She reminded her of her mom. “I came to the bank that day to ask about a student loan that day. Not to rob it.”
Her smile brightened. “Well, why don’t I help you with that? We can get back on track.”
“Right now?”
She turned to her computer. “There’s no time like the present.”
Eliza sighed. “If you say so.”
Filling out the loan application made her feel like the trip to the bank was worth it, even if she hadn’t learned anything new. Afterward, she drove into town to pick up frozen puff pastry – it was cheating, but she didn’t have the patience to fold in all that butter herself – and decided to stop by her favorite coffee shop.
