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“That’s £6.68.” I smile at Mrs Ludlow, who’s a regular now.
“Thank you, dear.” I hand over her coffee and cake.
The morning so far has been steady but quiet, both Emily and Keeley taking their first break so it’s just me manning the shop. The bell goes, and I turn, smiling to find Cameron’s wife eyeing me. Her friend is smirking, and they both laugh. Call it a woman's intuition, but everything about their mood is off. Until now, I haven’t had to deal with either Cameron or his wife coming in, which only confirmed my suspicions that she has an issue with me.
I hold my smile and turn away when someone comes up to the counter ordering a refill. “I’ll just be a second,” I inform, taking their cup for a fresh one and moving to the machine. My eyes flit to the wall clock, but both girls aren’t due back for another five minutes. Great! I hand the refill over and brace for impact.
“Chai Latte, regular,” Cameron’s wife says, coming up to the counter.
“Hi.” I smile purposely, highlighting that she left her manners outside my shop. “Will that be all?”
My over friendly demeanour catches her off guard. “Just the latte.”
“Sure thing.” Turning away, I begin making her order.
“Did Cam say where he was taking you to dinner?” the other girl asks.
His wife gives a self-indulgent laugh. “No, he always treats me like that,” she muses. “The other night, he gave me the best surprise ever.” Her voice drops, but I can hear her loud and clear. They are doing this on purpose, oversharing to make me uncomfortable.
“With what, jewellery, flowers?” her friend asks excitedly.
His wife’s voice trails off as the machine hisses, but I hear the tail end and wish I hadn’t. “Up against the front door, he was like a madman,” she breathes.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I turn with her drink in my hand. “Here you go.” I smile brightly. “That’s £4.45, please.” I hold her cold smile with a kind but false one of my own. She pays by card and soon her friend is taking her place. “Hi, what can I get you?”
“Same.”
“That will be £4.45 then, please.”
Cameron’s wife’s friend pays, and I make quick work of her drink. No sooner have I placed it down, she snatches it off the side and walks away without thanking me. Urgh, immature bitch! They take a seat not too far from the counter and continue to talk about Cameron. Oh, for the love of god.
Emily and Keeley come back soon after, and Emily widens her eyes when she clocks them. I give a subtle shake of my head and try my utmost to ignore their antics. “Want me to pour coffee over them?” Emily whispers, making me giggle.
“God, don’t tempt me.”
“She feels threatened by you,” she says under her breath.
I shake my head in answer. I’d never steal someone's man or try to make someone feel uncomfortable.
Sighing, Emily moves close by and whispers, “Honestly, Holly, if I was with a man, no matter who, and you showed up, I’d become insecure,” she tells me.
“What?”
“Come on, Holly, you're like the complete package; Hugh Heffner would snap you up in a second.” She chuckles, grabbing a brownie and sticking some change in the till. “Sorry ass.”
Snorting, I lean against the coffee machine, avoiding looking at the women haggling for my attention. “Hugh, no thanks.” I gag. “And hey, are you saying I look fake?” I pout.
“Not at all, that's why he’d go ga-ga for you. You’re naturally stunning. Your body is smoking, and you have this whole innocent vibe which I think sends men loopy,” Emily tells me, picking at her brownie with more decorum. “Your tits are real, aren’t they?”
“Yes!” I splutter.
“Lucky bitch.” Her shoulders droop, and she shoves another chunk of brownie into her mouth. “Oh god, incoming.” She draws my head round to the counter where Cameron’s wife is standing impatiently.
“Sorry,” I apologise. “Another latte?” I ask, reaching for a clean cup.
“Actually, no, this one tastes off.”
Emily groans, and I try my hardest not to laugh. This woman has got it in for me. Keeley glances up from re-stacking the shelves and frowns.
