Page 6

“H i, Lucy.”

“Hello, Jake. Hope you’re ringing me about a job.”

Lucy had reminded Jake, her case-manager at the temping agency, on Monday afternoon that she was free, but he’d told her they had nothing at the moment.

He did ask if she’d take on a three-month block in two weeks’ time.

Naturally, Lucy agreed. It was now Wednesday lunchtime and she wondered what he wanted.

“Lucy, any chance you can do a rush job in the city? You’re always the most accurate person we have to do urgent stuff.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“A complex had their bookkeeper take ill suddenly. Apparently, they’ve got an audit next week. Everything has to go to their accountant by Friday evening. Their bookkeeper had most of it done so there are only a few things left. Plus, it still has to be checked in case anything’s missing.”

“So I’d have tomorrow and most of Friday to make sure it was all ready?”

“Yep. So will you do it?” Lucy could imagine Jake on his knees pleading as he added, “Pretty please, please.”

Lucy laughed. “I will. Can you text me over the address and contact details please?”

“Thanks. Knew I could rely on you to help. Honestly, Lucy, you’re our number one girl. Thank you again. I’ll send it through now. Bye.”

“Bye, Jake.”

Lucy hung up and waited a few minutes for the text message to come through, laughing when she saw the name of the place—Split The Atom, where she’d been on Saturday night.

Jake: Meet manager Roger Hammell @ 9. Go to coffee shop & ask for him.

Lucy: Will do. Thanks.

****

T he next morning, she dressed with care in a simple navy-blue sheath dress with a pair of black pumps. Twisting her hair into a knot held with a clip, Lucy made sure she had her glasses, phone, and wallet. Then she grabbed her keys and headed out.

The drive from her house in Little Hartley, down the mountain, and into Katoomba took about thirty minutes.

Fortunately, the traffic, although heavy, flowed smoothly, and Lucy found a parking spot close to where she’d parked on Saturday night.

Walking down to the side entrance between the two buildings, Lucy reached the enormous green, wooden-barn doors with one side opened.

The mouth-watering aroma of freshly ground and brewed coffee filled the air as she strode through.

At the busy coffee shop, Lucy waited her turn then explained who she was. She was greeted with a smile, “Hi, I’ll let Roger know you’re here.”

A few minutes later a man came toward her, hand outstretched.

“Hi, Lucy. The agency said you’d be here around nine. I’m Roger Hammell, general dogsbody and day manager.”

Lucy grinned, shaking hands with him, while thinking he was very attractive.

He looked to be around forty, maybe six foot one or two with a lean frame.

He had dark brown hair and brown eyes. She gained the impression they’d usually sparkle with laughter, but at the moment they were simply filled with worry.

“The boss told me to arrange for someone to get things organized. We had to send our ‘keeper, Gordon, home yesterday. He was so ill. Been ill with a damn summer flu all week, but he tried to battle on. In the end, I knew if he didn’t leave, he’d collapse.

I’m so glad you’re here, Lucy. I’ve been rather worried. Thank goodness the agency could help.”

“Well, point me in the right direction and tell me what I can do to get you organized for tomorrow.”

“Perfect! You’ll have all day today and until around four tomorrow.”

“Great.”

Lucy followed Roger up an outside set of brick stairs with high walls alongside the coffee shop.

She soon discovered they led to offices above the shop and the large restaurant.

He took her down the hall. There were several doors on the left side and one larger on the right.

Opening one of the left-hand doors, he ushered her into a small, neat office.

“The boss is away until late tomorrow. He and his partner are at some big publican’s conference interstate this week. He’s having a panic attack, so at least I can tell him someone is taking care of his precious books when he phones.”

Roger made sure she had everything, then left her to make a start.

Lucy threw her handbag on a chair and studied everything on the desk.

Gordon had laid out folders with everything she’d need.

He’d left a Post-it note on the computer with the login details for her, along with printouts of anything he thought she’d need.

Grateful he’d been able to organize everything, Lucy set to work.

She worked steadily until Roger came back in.

“Hey, Lucy, it’s eleven-twenty. Time to take a break!”

“Oh, wow. Thanks, Roger. I didn’t realize the time.”

Lucy got to her feet, rolling her head and stretching. As she and Roger walked down the hall, he pointed out the bathrooms, then they quickly descended the stairs.

A hum of voices came from inside the restaurant. Staff were setting tables and organizing for the day’s service.

“You can have lunch here if you like—on the house. Or there’s plenty of food places nearby.”

“I couldn’t take advantage like that.” Lucy shook her head. “I’ll find something outside.”

“Don’t be silly. All the staff can eat for free, boss’s orders, and you are doing us a big favor at short notice. Meals are the least we can offer.”

“Well, in that case I’ll eat here, if you’re sure.”

Roger laughed. “Come on. Normally any staff member who wants lunch or dinner puts in an order early, but the chef will be happy to fix you up.”

Roger led her through the restaurant then into the busy, crowded kitchen.

“Hey, this is Lucy. She’s rescuing the books for the boss,” he called out.

There was a chorus of ‘hi, Lucy’ and a large-framed, bald man, who looked to be in his fifties stepped in front of her, wiping his hands on a white towel.

“Hello, Lucy. I’m Brad, head chef. Good to know you’re here. He’s been yelling and screaming over the phone to anyone who would listen.”

“Who? Roger?” Lucy looked puzzled at Roger, then back to Brad.

“No, the boss.”

“Oh, sorry.” She grinned at him.

“What would you like to eat? Today’s special is a lovely shoulder of lamb, flavored with garlic and rosemary, slow cooked with fresh root vegetables. Or you can check out our menu. What would you like?”

“Actually, the lamb sounds perfect!”

“Take a seat then, Lucy. Won’t be long.”

Roger led Lucy back out to the main area of the restaurant and told her to sit at a table near the doorway to the kitchen.

“The restaurant opens at twelve so any staff member who wants something here always eats beforehand. It just makes it easier for the cooks.”

“Don’t they get annoyed having to prepare meals before service?”

“No, it’s the way it’s always been done here, so everyone’s used to it.”

Looking around, she saw a large board with the title ‘Thursday specials’ and read the list of food Brad had told her along with a couple of dessert items. Underneath, a sign read ‘Spit Roasts from Saturday lunch till Sunday dinner.’

“So I gather the coffee shop opens earlier?”

“Yeah, opens at six for all those early workers nearby. Does good business. Plus, people can buy toasted sandwiches, pies, and other light snacks from it rather than have a sit-down meal in the restaurant. Anyway, relax and enjoy. I’ll catch up later.”

“Thanks, Roger.”

About three minutes later, a steaming plate was put in front of her.

With meat so tender she could cut it with her fork, Lucy tucked in.

The vegetables had been cooked with it and took on delightful flavors.

By the time she’d finished, Lucy understood why this was such a popular restaurant with such delicious food.

She stood, carried her empty plate back into the kitchen, thanked Brad, and went back to the office.

About ten minutes later, Roger came in with a mug of coffee, milk, and sugar on a tray.

He set it on the side of the desk. “Not sure how you have your coffee. Forgot to tell you that whenever you want one, there’s a staff room down the hall, third door on the left, with all the makings, or you can get something from the coffee shop downstairs. ”

“Thanks, Roger. That meal was delicious!”

“Yeah, the food’s great here. We’ve been given some fantastic reviews by the critics over the years and it’s made business go crazy, which of course keeps the boss very happy.”

“I saw you have spit roasts, too.”

“On the weekends. There’s an enormous spit in the garden alongside the wood-fired oven. Brad likes to make his own bread often, and of course pizza. Generally, a pig, and either a lamb or a hunk of beef, are on the spit at the weekends.”

“Isn’t it unusual for a restaurant to go to so much variety for meals?”

“The boss figured if we gave the patrons excellent meals they’d keep coming back.

It’s good, because of the separate two buildings there are clientele who only come in to eat then leave.

Business has trebled since it was introduced.

It’s also casual enough for families with kids but upmarket enough for business types. ”

“Makes sense. I imagine once word got around, then more and more people would come.”

“Yeah, they do. Keeps us busy, but I love working here and the staff is great. It’s like a big happy family. Anyway, I’d better make it look as if I’m working.”

“Thanks, Roger.”

Lucy worked steadily until five-ten. Once she made herself a coffee in the staff room, but now she was tired and ready to go home.

Most of the work had been done, and Lucy was confident she’d have it finished and ready to send to the accountant by tomorrow afternoon.

She picked up her bag and went down the stairs.

A few early diners with children were settling at tables.

She wandered through the paved area. The wide courtyard area reminded her of an old cobbled street.

Enormous pots, filled with brightly colored flowers spilling down their sides, were scattered here and there.

At the back, against the brick wall of the neighboring building, a garden with a few tall eucalypts gave shade and more ambience to the area.

She looked back at the building she’d just left.

It was much bigger than she’d thought, bigger even than the huge club area.

The building itself was shaped like an E without the center line, made of what she thought were old sandstone blocks.

The coffee shop was one end of the E just near the entrance into the complex, together with the offices and staff common room.

There were wide windows covering all along the second floor which she guessed was a large apartment or storage rooms. Must be where that large door on the right leads.

Wandering down the walkway, she found herself in the hallway alongside the main lounge room she’d been in on Saturday. Heading toward the bar, she caught sight of Roger and waved goodbye. He mouthed that he’d see her tomorrow, and Lucy nodded and left.

The drive home took longer, the traffic horrendous. She discovered there’d been an accident earlier in the afternoon, creating a backlog. She finally pulled up at home after seven. Tired, Lucy made herself a quick stir-fry and settled in front of the television to eat.