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I scan the buttons, wondering if it’s a case of pressing something that hasn’t been pressed. It’s similar to the one Cora had but bigger. I’m no expert, but I fiddle around with it. Casey makes her way out the back door, leaving it wide open as she walks around the side of the building to the designated smoking area.
It doesn’t take me long to get the dishwasher working. There is a satisfying hum as it kicks into life. When I’m positive it is working, I approach the open door to tell Casey.
The sun has burned off the mist that lingered this morning, and the result is a dazzling blue sky, which isn’t bad for early April. I place my hand on the side of the door frame, just about to swing my head out when I catch the sound of masculine voices. I quickly hold myself flat against the door frame, still in earshot of the two men, who I quickly realize are Piero and Gianni. They must’ve wandered around the back of the building after taking the journalist outside. I take a second to pick up their conversation.
“I don’t know what you were thinking when you hired that bunch.” Gianni’s voice is unmistakable, the gruff tone that scrapes the back of his throat.
“We didn’t have a lot of applicants to choose from, remember?” Piero is calmer, his voice a tone softer than his brother’s.
“I knew I should have done the interviews.”
“Look, it’s early days. Give them a chance.” There is a slight pause making me think Gianni has possibly given his brother a doubting look.
“Lewis is a mess. His uniform is creased. If he can’t manage his appearance, how will he manage a shop?”
“He has previous experience running a coffee shop… several, in fact. Experience-wise, he ticked all the boxes.”
“It also begs the question of why he has a list of previous employment as long as your arm,” Gianni snaps back, quickly following it up while he is on a run. “And we said no students.”
“We said we’d try to avoid students, but, unfortunately, this line of work lends itself to students who need money and unsociable hours.” Piero keeps his tone low as if trying to keep Gianni grounded with his voice.
“They always need time off for exams and study, or they ring in sick, hungover.”
“We have some pretty reliable students at the other branches. You can’t generalize them all. It’s not fair.” There is another slight pause at which I think their conversation is over, but as I’m about to move away from the doorway, Gianni speaks.
“And I’m not impressed with the Daniels woman.” My heart plummets into the pit of my stomach.
“Give me one good reason.” Piero’s voice is slow and steady, daring Gianni to challenge him.
“You know the reason. What were you thinking?” There is no mistaking the aggression in his voice, and although I can’t see him, I can almost hear the snap of his neck as he faces his brother.
“Look, you said yourself, the rest are the best of a bad bunch. She is the only one with some experience and the right character for the job. I wouldn’t have hired her if the rest hadn’t been so poor.” I dared to breathe. Piero’s words seem out of character.
What does this mean? Had they noticed the gap on my CV where I appear to have been unemployed? Have they figured out I’m dyslexic? I did not mentioned it at the interview, and Frank had filled in the application form for me, along with all the other documents I’d been given before my starting date. So, what’s their problem? I’ve decided Gianni doesn’t like me—his whole alpha male role suits him—but Piero? He’s been nothing but courteous. Why the sudden change?
I lean against the frame, pressing my head up to the wall as I strain to hear Gianni’s response, his voice is low, and his reply comes as a feral snarl.
“Get rid of her.”
“I can’t just get rid of her, Gianni. It’s not that easy. Employees have rights these days, in case you didn’t know.” Piero is exasperated.
“What’s the alternative?” Gianni growls, trying to raise his voice while trying to keep it quiet. “Do you have any idea—”
Casey sweeps around the doorframe, brushing Gianni’s words away as I lose the conversation. Casey nearly collides with me, the smell of fresh cigarette smoke following her in.
“Christ, Casey! You made me jump,” I exclaim as I clasp my hand to my chest.
Casey tuts, screwing up her face as she eyes me. “What do you expect when you go hiding behind doors?” She shakes her head as she makes her way back out into the shop.
I press my back against the wall, my hand still clutching at my heart, trying to slow the thunderous beat that’s threatening a storm in my rib cage. I don’t understand what’s going on. What have I done to Gianni that’s so bad he wants me fired? How dare he think I can be ‘gotten rid of’ as if I were a piece of rubbish.
“Hey, Chloe.” Lewis materializes from behind the dishwasher, the sweat having returned to his brow. “There’s no time for a rest. I need you out front.”
“Sorry.” I give a small nod, trying to understand why, suddenly, no one seems to have any patience for me.
My new start is turning out to be worse than my last job if that’s possible. Cora’s psycho tendencies had been hard enough to contend with, but meeting Richard had been the nail in my coffin. Why can’t I get a job where management likes me? I’ve done nothing wrong to Gianni or his mother, so why do they both seem frightened of me?
I stomp my way out front, wondering if Gianni is serious about getting rid of me. Piero doesn’t seem to share his brother’s opinion, but how persuasive is Piero when it comes to his brother? From their conversation outside, it appears as if Gianni wears the pants in their business relationship, and it is blatantly clear that Gianni has a grievance against me for reasons unknown.
