Progressing

(The second children's book is almost complete... will be complete before the end of this week... the first draft at least. And I am really enjoying how it is coming together... always better than I planned... in so far as I ever really plan. Here's another installment from PB. Don't know where these characters came from... really, I don't.)

THE GOOD TIPPER

Eileen was late getting to The Bobbing Boat. No explanation, just sorry she was late. Guthrie didn’t seem to mind. He sent her through to the small staff toilet in the back to freshen up. She looked as though she hadn’t slept.

The morning was busy. They barely spoke save to pass details of the orders back and forward. Aidan came in again and ordered tea for two and sat alone looking out of the window as if he was expecting someone. Eileen passed no comment to Aidan or to Guthrie. She made sure the cups were not chipped and that there was a spoon for the sugar.

And the man who had touched her was back at the table by the door, his eyes following Eileen around the cafe until she came to take his order. She was as polite as she could be, not smiling at the man, but not swearing either. She wrote down his order and said it would just be a minute.

Guthrie asked if she was feeling ok. She admitted that she was a little tired, but aside from that she was great. She smiled then and Guthrie was reassured.

‘It’s been a long week,’ he said. ‘First busy week of the season. Takes a bit of getting used to. You should get an early night tonight.’

The woman called Moira came in about eleven. She sat at a small table near the counter and did not look at Guthrie. He wondered if he should come and take her order, but Eileen beat him to it.

‘Good morning,’ Eileen said. ‘Can I help you?’

‘It’s Eileen, right?’

Eileen nodded. Her pen was poised ready to write down what the woman wanted.

‘Moira, I’m Moira.’ And she held out one hand to shake Eileen’s. ‘I expect Guthrie has told you about me. You know, stuff about us way back. I used to do the job you are doing now. Just the same. Only not so smartly dressed and not so nice to everyone that came in.’

She was prettier than Eileen had imagined. Older, too. Though that shouldn’t have been a surprise. She thought of Guthrie as old and they were from the same time. She had long thin fingers and Eileen noticed that she was not wearing any rings.

‘And we were allowed to sit with the customers if they asked us. I expect that’s not allowed now?’

Eileen looked at Guthrie. She wasn’t sure what she should do.

‘Oh don’t mind him. He can be a bear sometimes, but mostly he’s the soft to cuddle kind. Take it from me, he’s fond of you. I see the way he looks out for you.’

Guthrie heard what Moira said. He laughed as if what she’d said was a joke.

‘I’ll have a pot of tea and something sweet.’

Eileen began listing what there was on offer for the day. Moira interrupted her and said Eileen should choose for her. Just anything. Then she pulled Eileen close and whispered something so that Guthrie did not hear.

Eileen delivered the order to the counter. Guthrie expected her to say something. She just looked at him.

‘What?’ he said.

She shook her head. ‘And a pain au raisin.’

‘What did she tell you? What did she say? Was it about me? What?’

Eileen smiled. 'She told me she was a good tipper and I should not spit in her tea,' she said.