‘Well in that case, I apologise for trying to support wellbeing amongst my staff.’ He picked up his plate and stalked inside.
‘What is with him lately?’ The sous-chef giggled, before a glare from Wendy and a not-so-subtle nod in my direction wiped the smile off his face.
‘Sorry Jessie. No offence.’
None taken. I was asking myself the same question. At least being the boss’s twin meant I could ask him, too.
11
After lunch, Isaac allowed me to stop rushing around after Avi and help with the décor. I sat folding place-cards, and after school Connie’s son Wilf joined me, twisting napkins into roses.
‘You’re really good at that,’ I said, watching the pile rapidly grow.
‘I know. Most people can’t get the edges all lined up the same, but you just need to follow the instructions properly.’
‘You’re really fast.’
He nodded, eyes fixed on his task, fingers a blur. ‘Yes, but can you please stop talking now so I can concentrate.’
‘Of course!’ I ducked my head to hide my smile and got on with my own task.
Isaac wandered past. ‘Hey, great job, dude. I thought you only started that a few minutes ago.’
‘One-fourteen,’ Wilf replied, stopping to give Isaac a high-five, his face beaming. ‘It’s now one-thirty-two so it’s taken me eighteen minutes to do twenty-nine napkins. If your sister doesn’t talk to me again I’ll be finished at one-fifty-one.’
‘Way to go. At this rate you’ll need a pay rise.’
‘Hmm.’ Wilf looked thoughtful. ‘Mum said I can have a burger, fries and coke from the Crooked Arrow after we’re finished, which costs fifteen pounds ninety-five in total. How much is this pay rise going to be?’
Isaac grinned, his grumpiness vanished. ‘How about an ice-cream from the pudding menu?’
‘A rocky road sundae? That costs four pounds seventy-five. It’s a… 30 per cent pay rise!’
Isaac gave a mock wince. ‘Ooh… okay then, done.’
‘Mum!’ Wilf shouted at Connie, hanging bunting up a few metres away. ‘Isaac says I can have a rocky road sundae after my burger!’
‘Oh, really, is Isaac paying?’ she called back, twisting around while still holding the bunting above her head.
‘Well yes of course he is because it’s a 30 per cent pay rise for working so fast.’
‘Then that’s great!’ She mirrored her son’s exact smirk, arching one eyebrow at Isaac. ‘Has he noticed how fast I’m working today, too?’
‘Hey, Isaac should come with us,’ Wilf said, his face lighting up. ‘Ithinkthe rocky road sundae is four pounds seventy-five, but it might have gone up. Or I might have remembered wrong. He should come just in case.’
‘Honey, we both know you have that menu memorised. And Isaac’s going to have worked a long day, with an even longer one tomorrow. The last thing he wants is an evening spent at a medieval-themed pub having to answer all your questions about their Cottage Cup.’
‘It’s the Chimney Cup,’ Wilf retorted. ‘And you don’t mind, do you Isaac? I won’t be talking about work, so it’s not against the rules.’
Isaac stiffened, no doubt remembering how he’d come across earlier.
‘I’m sorry, but I’m sure Isaac’s Friday night plans don’t include people dressed as serving wenches.’ Connie shook her head, smiling. ‘Maybe another time.’
Isaac opened and closed his mouth a couple of times. ‘I’ll check the foyer.’
‘Huh.’ Wilf pouted as Isaac hurried out the door. ‘He forgot my pay rise.’
‘I’m sure he’ll give it to your mum with the rest of your pay,’ I said.
