Page 99 of The Winter of Second Chances
The truants brought their empty cups to the counter, their dried painted pebbles held carefully in open palms.
‘Would you like me to hold on to those for you and I’ll bury them under the stones for you tomorrow, give the paint a chance to sink in a bit more?’
The teens agreed. They thanked Annie and Gemma for having them, which made Annie feel both warm and fuzzy, and as though she was complicit in their truancy. Annie felt sorry for them with only their blazers to protect them against the elements. They had reached the door when the boy with the patch came back to the counter.
‘Can I bring my CV down? For if you ever need someone to work here at weekends and holidays and stuff? I’m a fast learner.’
‘How old are you?’
‘Sixteen. I’ll be seventeen in March.’
Annie bit her lip. She could really do with some help on Saturdays when Gemma was home with the kids and over the Christmas holidays. But was it fair to take someone on for such a short time? Gemma had taken the job on the understanding that it could all be over by Easter.
‘What’s your name?’
‘Billy. Billy Maitlin.’
‘I’m Annie. Here’s the thing, Billy, this might be a really short lease. I may only have the cafe until Easter.’ Billy’s face fell. ‘But, between now and Easter I am going to need someone to work Saturdays and over Christmas and the February half-term.’ Billy’s face brightened. ‘If I ask Ely about you, will he tell me you’d make a good employee?’
Billy nodded.
‘I’m sure of it,’ he said. ‘I’ve been out with him loads. I always helped my grandad. Ely knows I’m a good worker.’
‘In that case, be here on Saturday morning. Jeans and smart T-shirt will be fine. I’ll give you a trial in the cafe and we’ll see how it works out. How does that sound?’
‘What time?’ asked Billy.
‘Can you get here for half past eight?’
‘Yes.’
‘Great! I’ll see you, Billy, at half past eight on Saturday morning. Don’t be late.’
‘I won’t be.’ Billy’s grin seemed to stretch the full width of his face. ‘Thank you! I won’t let you down!’
He practically skipped over to his classmates.
‘Oh, and listen, you three,’ Annie called. The teens turned slowly to face Annie. ‘You are always welcome here outside of school hours and your positivity pebbles are beautifully painted. But please don’t use my cafe as your bunk-off hideaway.’ Annie smiled to let them know that her admonishment was meant in the warmest way but equally, she didn’t fancy having the truancy officer staking out Saltwater Nook. They shrugged their shoulders, cheeks colouring up, and smiled sheepishly, mumbling that they wouldn’t do it again.
‘Nicely done,’ said Gemma, nodding approvingly.
‘I’ve had my fair share of dealing with teenagers,’ said Annie.
‘Good. I’ll drop Lennox and his belongings off with you when he turns thirteen.’
‘Ha! No thanks. I’d rather eat worms.’
‘That bad, huh?’
Gemma looked at her watch. ‘Oh shit!’ she said.
‘Go,’ said Annie.
‘But we haven’t done the clear-down.’ Gemma was turning on the spot in a kind of panicked daze but not actually doing anything.
‘Just go,’ said Annie, laughing as she took her friend by the arms to stop her from spinning. ‘Go on, off with you! I can clear down. I don’t want Lennox and Esme blaming me for keeping them waiting at the school gates like a couple of waifs.’
‘Thank you, Annie. Sorry, sorry, sorry,’ Gemma sang as she grabbed up her belongings and headed for the door. ‘Take it out of my wages.’
