6
She showered and changed quickly, then she and Jack walked down to the seafront, heading straight for Coast. She wasn’t dressed quite so casually this time, wearing a light, short-sleeved tunic top over cargo pants, and she’d put on a little make-up. It was a warm, sunny Sunday, and there was a relaxed, holiday vibe as they strolled through the town. The sun was shining and the streets were filled with tourists and locals wandering about enjoying a lazy Sunday, snippets of foreign languages and accents drifting in the air.
Lou had timed it so that the lunch service in Coast wouldn’t have started yet, so that hopefully Aidan would have time to see her. They’d probably only need a few minutes anyway – just long enough for him to tell her there were no vacancies.
The red-headed waitress they’d met the last time – Ingrid, Lou remembered – was laying tables and looked up as they entered. ‘Hi! Jack, isn’t it?’ she said, looking down at him. ‘Are you here to see Aidan?’ she asked, switching her focus to Lou.
‘Yeah, just for a quick word, if he’s available.’
‘He’s back there.’ She jerked her head in the direction of the office. ‘You can go on through – you know the way?’
‘Yeah, I remember.’
‘I’ll look after this fella for you,’ she said, smiling at Jack.
‘Oh, that’s really kind. Thank you. I won’t be long.’
‘Take your time.’ She came over and took Jack’s hand. ‘Would you like a juice, Jack? Or a milkshake?’
Jack nodded enthusiastically, his eyes wide.
‘Oh, is that okay?’ Ingrid asked Lou as an afterthought.
‘Yeah, it’s fine.’ She ruffled Jack’s hair.
Ingrid led Jack away and Lou went through to the back of house.
‘Oh, hi. It’s you!’ Aidan said, looking up from his desk when she knocked on the open door. ‘You came back.’
‘Yeah.’ She was surprised he seemed to remember her. ‘You said I could call in whenever we moved here.’
‘Yeah.’ He waved to the seat across the desk from him.
‘So, I just came to check if you have any job openings,’ Lou said.
‘Well, you’re in luck.’ He pulled open the desk drawer and Lou was surprised to see him take out her CV. ‘Though I’m sorry to tell you we’ve filled the KP job,’ he said with a sympathetic smile. ‘I know you kind of had your heart set on that.’
‘Aw, shucks.’
‘I know that must be very disappointing for you.’
‘I’ll try to get over it and move on with my life.’
‘But we do have a couple of wait staff who were here for the summer and will be leaving in the next few weeks.’
‘Oh. That’d be great!’ Lou said, brightening.
‘What sort of hours were you looking for? I know you have a son…’
Lou nodded. ‘I can’t work nights,’ she said with a wince, knowing she was probably writing off her chances of getting hired. ‘But he’s starting school in September, so I was hoping I could pick up some lunch shifts.’
‘Will he be going to the school in town?’
‘Yes. We were very late enrolling, so I was lucky to get a place for him.’ She’d been especially relieved that the school was within walking distance, so she wouldn’t have to splash out for a car right away.
‘He’ll be in the same class as Bo, then. She’s starting there too.’ Once again when he spoke of his daughter, he smiled and his features softened.
‘Oh, I think we met her yesterday. She told us the specials.’
