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“I am looking forward to the lie-ins,” he said. “I have no plan of ever setting another four-forty alarm clock again, although something tells me that when the grandchildren are old enough to stay over, I’ll be getting up at that time, anyway.”

Gemma chuckled.

“You will still come in and visit us, though, won’t you?” Sophie asked. “You know you’ve got free cups of coffee for a lifetime here.”

“Is that right? I think you ought to check that one with the boss first, don’t you?” he said, casting a grin at Gemma, though she struggled to smile back. George had been like a father figure to her during her time at the Waterfront Cafe. He had seen her grow up and watched as she tackled so many bumps in the road. It didn’t seem right that he wouldn’t be there anymore. Particularly as the person replacing him had less compassion in his entire body than George had in his little finger.

“Of course, you get free coffee for life,” she said. “I’d extend the offer to cakes too, but I know what your sweet tooth is like—you’d put us out of business.”

A light laughter filled the air. Three tables still needed to finish before they could clear away and shut up for the day, but somehow, it already felt like it was the weekend. And it would be a great one, too, as long as the weather held.

Glancing through the window, Gemma watched as a boat drifted lazily across the river, and a feeling of peace settled in her. A sense of peace that lasted until the moment she saw him walking towards her.

Kent Parker was back.

CHAPTER 9

He looked like one of those stereotypical movie villains. Dashingly handsome, with a stare that could turn you to stone and a heart that already was. News of the argument the two had shared on Monday had quickly spread, and now everyone knew two things about the person taking over in the kitchen at the Waterfront Cafe. First, he was a very good-looking man called Kent Parker, and second, Gemma did not like him one bit. A fact she made no effort to hide as he strode into the coffee shop, once again holding that damn tablet beneath his arm.

“Sorry, we’re not serving anymore,” she said, blocking him from walking too far into the building. “We’re closing early, for George’s leaving do.”

“Oh, I see.”

Kent’s lips twitched a little.

She assumed he was about to tell her how that was a terrible thing to do. Instead, he nodded.

“That makes sense. He’s been here a long time. He deserves a proper send-off.”

“He does,” Gemma replied, hoping that would be the end of their conversation and that Kent would turn around and walk back out the way he had come, but he continued to linger.

“Well, perhaps that will work out well. I was hoping you and I could have a talk. You know, just cover a few things before we work together tomorrow.”

“We won’t be working together tomorrow.”

Kent frowned. “You’re on the rota, aren’t you?”

“I was, but Sophie and I have swapped.”

At this, Kent’s frown deepened further. “Not because of me?”

Gemma wasn’t sure how she was supposed to reply. She hadn’t expected Kent to know she was meant to be working, although, in hindsight, that was foolish. The rota was stuck to the wall out back in the kitchen, and he had spent plenty of time out there the day before with George.

“No,” she said, praying that she managed not to blush, which was her normal physical response whenever she had to lie about anything. “It’s because of personal reasons.”

“Oh, nothing serious, I hope?”

Somehow, this faux caring and concerned Kent grated on Gemma even more than when he was being outright rude. Probably because she knew that it was false.

“Is there something you wanted?” she said pointedly.

Kent’s gaze quickly scanned around the room. “Well, like I said, I was hoping I could go over a few things with you. I’d really like to get them cleared before I start working. But you’ve got George’s leaving do now?”

“Yes,” Gemma said.

This conversation had gone on far longer than she wanted it to, and now she was just repeating herself. The sooner she got rid of him, the better.

“I assume it’s not going to just be you and Sophie there?” Kent continued, although he tilted his head to the side ever soslightly now as if he was thinking as he was speaking. “The other staff on the rota, the Saturday staff, and the part-timers—they’ll be there too.”