She begins wiping down the table to my left, but catches me staring. Dammit. I’m bad at this.
‘Can I help you with something?’ she asks, raising an eyebrow.
‘I thought it was you!’ I reply, breezily. ‘Alfie not giving you the runaround today?’
She smiles politely. ‘Do I know you?’
‘Christ, sorry, yes! I looked a little different yesterday,’ I reply, gesturing towards the grotto. ‘White beard. Eight reindeers. Dangerously overweight.’
She laughs loudly. ‘Of course! Sorry, the voice threw me off. Your Santa voice is much deeper and, well, slightly questionable.’
‘Yeah, I’m still trying to figure that out,’ I reply, my face flushing. ‘Is it really that bad?’
‘It reminded me of that film where the murderer asks the babysitter if she’s checked on the children. I much prefer this one.’
‘Noted.’
‘Americano with milk!’
‘Oh, that’s me, two secs.’
I grab my coffee and return to her table, pretending like it’s not burning my hand off. I want to save the rainforest and the baby monkeys too, but I really wish they hadn’t gotten rid of those cup-holder things.
‘Anyway, thanks so much for yesterday,’ she continues. ‘You must think I’m mother of the fucking year. My sitter dropped him off here and he was supposed to just sit quietly for two minutes but. . .’
‘Don’t be silly, I’m sure it happens all the time. I’m Nick, by the way.’
She wipes her hands on her apron and holds one out. ‘Sarah. Honestly, thanks again. He was so happy on the way home, couldn’t stop talking about you! You made his day!’
My initial rush of pride is soon diminished by a pang of guilt. She’d be horrified if she knew I’d just promised her kid something that might be impossible.
‘It was nothing,’ I reply. ‘Part of the job description.’
‘I hope he asked for a Nintendo Switch,’ she says, gesturing over to another member of staff who’s trying to get her attention. ‘I’ve been busting my ass doing extra shifts to afford that thing.’
‘Yup,’ I lie. ‘That’s exactly what it was.’
Fucking hell, Nick, stop lying to this family, you moron.
She picks up some empty cups and a half-eaten pastry. ‘Sorry, Nick, I need to go. Morning rush is crazy. Nice to see you again though!’
Shit. I’ve been so busy chatting, I forgot why I came in here and my shift starts in five minutes.
‘A date!’ I blurt out. ‘How would you feel about going on a date?’
She stops for a second and starts to blush. Good God, she’s pretty.
‘A date? Like, adate-date? I’m not sure I—’
‘Just dinner, maybe some drinks. I swear you’ll have a great time! Say yes!’
‘Um. . . OK. Yes. Why not. I could use a night off.’
‘Amazing!’ I reply delightedly, pulling out my phone. ‘Let me get your number.’
Grinning, she begins typing her number into my phone. I’m so happy right now I could kiss her. I want to call Alfie and tell him that phase one of the plan is now underway.
‘So just send me a text or—’
