Page 58 of A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street
Mr Hastings cuts off Bram’s comeback. ‘Besides, I thought nothing was impossible. Isn’t that what the quote on your wall says, Miss Jordan?’
‘We didn’t say it was impossible,’ Bram answers before I have time to come up with a witty retort. ‘But we are quite busy. I assume the garment bag is for me?’
‘I wanted to make sure you have something suitable to wear on Sunday, Abraham.’
It irks me hearing Mr Hastings use his full name. Itisn’this name and it feels like a little niggling way of insulting him.
‘I have something suitable to wear.’ Bram sounds so weary that I suspect this is approximately the seventh time they’ve had this conversation.
‘Well, why don’t you show me and I’ll be the judge of that?’
‘Because I’m not four years old. I don’t need my clothing choices to be policed by you.’
‘We’ve been over this, son. This is the most important day of your sister’s life. You need to put her first and putaside your own choices for one single day, unlike what you put poor Tabby through when she was trying to planyourwedding.’
‘I have my clothes. Cleo can vet them later to make sure they’re suitable. You can trust her judgement even if you don’t trust mine.’
‘Yes, well…’ Mr Hastings looks me up and down, like I’m hardly a candidate for fashion advice, with my hair tied in a messy knot, a baggy T-shirt that takes the place of an apron, and there’s probably flour smeared across my face. He turns back to Bram. ‘Take this anyway. It’s a suit – understated and sophisticated. I’m just trying to help.’ His eyes linger on Bram for a moment, like he wants to say something else, but then he sighs and his gaze returns to me. ‘I’m glad you’re here actually, Miss Jordan. I have a letter for you in my car. I was going to drop it by the tearoom in the morning, but you can save me a trip. If you’ll accompany me outside…’
He shoves the garment bag at Bram, and then jerks his head to indicate that I should follow him.
‘Let me hang this up and I’ll be out too.’ Bram takes the garment bag and catches my eyes as I follow Mr Hastings.
‘I fear you think me unduly cruel, Miss Jordan.’ Outside, Mr Hastings stops at his posh car but doesn’t open it or look at me. ‘I dread to think what my son has told you, but you seem to have achieved the impossible and formed a mutually respectful connection with him.’
‘Oh, we’re not…’
‘He listens to you. It’s been years since he listened to me. He just won’t…’ Mr Hastings makes a noise of frustration. ‘If he could just look… normal. Get a proper job. Something with security. Long-term prospects. A pension plan. There’s no future in bleedin’ card tricks, is there?’
‘What he does is so much more than card tricks. He’s exceptionally talented. He makes people believe in the impossible, and doing that makeshimhappy.’
‘I had a future all lined up for him,’ Mr Hastings continues as though I haven’t spoken. ‘In-demand qualifications. A well-paying job. And he goes and throws it all away to toss around cards and throw confetti. I only want what’s best for him, and I don’t understand whathewants from life. I don’t know how to make him see…’
‘Maybe it’s you who could see it from his point of view,’ I say carefully, feeling hideously out of my depth. Mr Hastings obviously needed to vent, and he’s chosen to do it tome, but he’s still my terrifying boss. Does hereallywant my input on this? ‘All he wants is what any of us want – to be happy and to be loved.’
‘Idolove him. Idowant to see him happy. I just…’ He sighs and shakes his head. ‘The distance between us is growing and I don’t know how to reach him. I try, but all I end up doing is pushing him further away.’
‘Just because he’s different to you doesn’t make him wrong. There’s plenty of space for both of your viewpoints, but?—’
We both look up as the door opens and Bram comes out.
‘I know what it’s like to lose a parent without making amends,’ I say quickly. ‘Any compromise is worthwhile before it’s too late.’
‘’ello, why are my ears burning?’ Bram bounces down the steps, suspicious eyes looking between us.
‘I was just getting an update on the catering from Miss Jordan,’ Mr Hastings says. ‘Which brings me nicely to my point. I wanted a word about some complaints we’ve received.’ He opens the passenger door of his car and extracts an envelope from the glovebox, and hands it to me.
I tear open the ominous-looking brown paper, glad the outside floodlights are bright enough to read by.
Food Safety Warningis stamped in big red letters across the top.
Due to a number of complaints received about the quality of food served at your establishment, the localauthority deems it necessary to complete a food safety inspection. An inspector will arrive onsite at nine o’clock on 31 May. This appointment is non-negotiable.
If shortcomings are found, steps must be taken to ensure these incidences do not occur again. If serious issues are found, then we will be forced to insist that you cease trading with immediate effect.
Please ensure you are following correct hygiene protocols and that your business is closed on the given date and you are available to answer the food safety inspector’s questions and co-operate fully with our investigation.
Bram is reading it over my shoulder and he scoffs. ‘This is ridiculous.’
