Page 32 of Minnie: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

Charlie pastes on the friendly smile again. “Table for two?”

I shake my head. “I’m actually here about a job.”

“A job? I recognize you from town. What kind of job are you looking for? I could text a few people that I know to see if they need any help. The funeral home or the retirement home might need someone.”

Instead of grimacing like I want, I let out a yawn. “Are you hiring?”

“Oh. “ Her eyebrows shoot up. “You want to work here?”

I shrug. “It’s whatever.”

Great. That’s my response? There’s no way I’m getting hired now!

“Unfortunately, we’re not hiring at the moment. We’ll keep you in mind if a job opens up.” Charlie says, her tone implying it is never, ever going to happen. Especially since she already admitted her hostess is away and she clearly needs the help.

What am I thinking, walking in here and asking for a job? I’m not qualified to work in a pub. I only lasted two weeks at the hotel bar, and my manager told me I should consider a different line of work.

But I really need this job, or I won’t be able to afford the cruise, and then…

I realize I’m spiraling a split second before Formula M comes to my rescue. It calms me down and summons the words I need. “I have tons of server experience.” I don’t. “I have a bartender license.” I really don’t. “I’m great at multitasking, I’m a team player, and I can clear a table in under a minute. Plus, I don’t mind having cheese in my hair.” Which is an outright lie.

Even Charlie looks impressed. “Wow! If you can really do all that, I can tell my hostess to stay in Syracuse to realign what she wants. What’s your availability?”

“Monday nights, Tuesday mornings, and Friday afternoons.”

Charlie frowns. “Those are oddly specific hours. Why only those days?”

“I have a very busy social calendar.” Which consists of two part-time jobs, the prison’s visiting hours, and my ability to find a trustworthy babysitter for Natty. I should tell Charlie that, but Formula M keeps my lips zipped tighter than the pumpkin spice jar at Jewels Cafe.

Charlie rolls her eyes. “Of course you do. You’re welcome to drop off your resume. If there are any openings, I’ll give you a call.”

Which is polite speak for no way in hell, Minnie Alexander.

I want to cry, but yawn instead. “It’s your loss.”

As I turn to leave, I see Charlie move her hand quickly. I swear she tries to fling bacon bits at me.

I drag the wagon with the still-sleeping boy out of O’Malley’s. I don’t stop until I turn the corner, and then, I just stand there, completely at a loss.

How will I ever convince anyone in town to hire me? But if I don’t, how will I pay for the cruise? After two failed attempts to find work, I don’t really feel like any more rejection, but what other choice do I have? Hope that Peppermint’s friend can break a curse no one else could?

Chapter 17

Minnie

Since the bakery doesn’t have a working kitchen or any food apart from a few boxes of applesauce and granola bars, we always eat out. And since I’m on a budget, our food requirements are ‘free’ with a side of raw meat for Snow.

So when Zoe texts an SOS the following evening, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Free dinner, here we come!

Formula M stops me from worrying too much about her emergency, and I barely care that Tiptoe is still staying at Julian’s while he tries to remove the pink collar.

I drop Natty off at Jewels Cafe. Luckily, Amber’s always happy to watch him while I run ‘home’ to grab something, which is code for walking slowly around the corner, waiting for the invisibility spell to kick in, and popping into the bakery.

Amber’s practically bouncing on her toes when she sees me. The moment Chase has Natty out of the wagon, she grabs my arm and pulls me outside so we can talk privately.

“Pepp literally just texted,” she says, holding up her phone. “Her friend will be here tomorrow morning. Which means we can break the curse!”

My insides churn.