Page 16 of Eden's Comfort Kitchen
The following day, Eden woke later than she’d meant to. She’d struggled to get to sleep, and though she wasn’t entirely sure why, it didn’t take a genius to guess that perhaps family matters had been on her mind. It hadn’t helped that her dad hadn’t sent a reply that evening, and though she knew he often took a while, that was on her mind too. When she woke, there was a reply, one he must have sent when he’d got up.
I’m glad you messaged. I don’t know what’s going on, and I’m sad you don’t feel like you can be here with us and you don’t want to say where you are, but I understand. Please know you always have a home here and we love you. Keep us updated. Dad
Eden wiped away a tear as she read it. She’d have to phone him soon – she realised it wasn’t fair not to. And while she felt undeserving of his concern, she was glad of it. He still loved her, after all she’d done. She couldn’t quite believe she deserved that either, but the thought made her happy.
Thanks, Dad. I love you too. I’m OK here. I’m kind of working on myself, and I need to figure some things out. I will see you soon, I promise. I’m actually starting a new job today – at a local pub, believe it or not. I’ll phone as soon as I can. E x
Livia had told Eden it was probably best to wear something she didn’t care about for her first shift at the Darling Dolphin, but Eden hadn’t brought much like that with her to Sea Glass Bay. So she wore some expensive jeans and a blouse she’d bought on Oxford Street because she figured if she was doing this, she might as well make a good impression.
‘You look lovely!’ Livia said, admiring the blouse as Eden went to the bar. ‘That colour really suits you…Is it silk?’
‘Yes.’
‘Hmm…’
Livia might have had thoughts on Eden’s choice, but, if so, she didn’t voice them. Eden supposed she’d sort of ignored her advice and that she might well spill something over the blouse before the night was out, but it didn’t worry her.
‘Is Ralph going to show me the ropes?’ Eden asked, searching for his huge frame.
‘He’s in the kitchen, but I’ll get you started. Come on…’ Livia lifted the hatch that opened to the area behind the bar so that Eden could get to it. ‘First thing’s first – I’ll show you how to use the till. It’s not complicated – if I can use it, then any old idiot can.’
‘What about a young idiot?’
Livia laughed. ‘It’ll be fine. Look – there are big fat buttons with almost every drink already programmed in. We don’t get asked for much fancier than a gin and tonic. If there is the odd thing not on here, we have a few random buttons here…’ Shegestured to a big square that simply said ‘cocktail’ and another that said ‘fancy cocktail’.
‘I like the logic there,’ Eden said with a grin.
‘That was my idea. I couldn’t see the point in pricing everything up differently when we only do a couple of basic-level cocktails. So push your buttons for what the order is…for instance, a pint and a Guinness and a lager dash, or whatever, and then total up. Dead easy.’
Livia moved to where the steel drink measures were kept and began to talk Eden through those. But before she’d got halfway, they were interrupted by a nervous cough from behind them. Eden turned to see a slight woman of perhaps forty standing at the bar.
‘Debs.’ Livia smiled. ‘You’re after Ralph?’
‘Yes, he said he had some’ – the woman shot a furtive glance Eden’s way – ‘you know…’
‘Right,’ Livia said cheerfully. ‘He’s doing the menus with the chef, but he put some stuff out for you. Come through and I’ll get it for you.’
Livia left the bar area, gesturing for Eden to wait, and the woman followed her to the kitchens. A couple of minutes later – minutes where Eden was slightly panicky at the thought of getting a customer while her friend was missing, they came back out. The woman – Debs – had a basket on her arm.
‘I don’t know what we’d do without—’ she began, but Livia put a hand up.
‘Don’t think anything of it, Debs. We look after each other, right? And it would only go to waste.’
‘Tell Ralph I said thank you.’
‘I will, but he’ll only say he doesn’t need any thanks.’
Debs hurried out of the pub, leaving Livia to return to Eden.
‘Sorry about that,’ she said, coming back to the business side of the bar.
‘Is she all right?’ Eden asked.
Livia smiled at her puzzled look. ‘Yes, she is now. At least, she will be for a day or two.’
‘What does that mean?’
Livia shook her head. ‘It’s nothing…it’s just…’
