Single Mother by Samantha Hayes

Author:Samantha Hayes [Hayes, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838888381
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2021-01-04T18:30:00+00:00

‘Thank you, Rose,’ Mel says as she sees the two girls are each drinking a mug of hot chocolate. ‘Is everything OK in the restaurant?’ While she may have felt a little giddy from the prosecco up in the spinney with Tom, she feels completely sober now.

‘All grand,’ Rose replies, clattering plates into the dishwasher. ‘There are quite a few locals in tonight,’ she adds. ‘Reckon old Moreton Inn has life in it yet, eh?’ She tips her head sideways, wiping her sweaty face on her sleeve. ‘Or death…’ Mel swears she hears her whisper when her back is turned. ‘We sold four cod and chips tonight to them lot at the bar, plus a lasagne and salad for the chap who’s staying. Though Nikki says he’s—’

‘Yes, yes, Rose, thank you,’ Mel says, her mind whirring. She wishes no one had come in tonight, let alone a guest arriving. ‘I think you should go home now. We won’t get any more in tonight.’ Mel glances at her watch.

‘Nonsense,’ Rose says. ‘We’ve got forty minutes until we stop serving food at nine. You never know, we might get a couple of dessert orders. Nikki’s told them about the cheesecake I—’

‘I’m closing early tonight, Rose. So if you don’t mind, I’d appreciate you finishing up in here and heading home. I’ll pay you up to the end of your shift.’

Rose stops for a moment, a tea towel between her hands. She glances between Mel and Tom, standing side by side, a hurt look on her face. ‘Ohh, right, I see,’ she says, tapping the side of her nose. ‘A bit of alone time, is it? I’ll be out of here then. And you girls, come on, drink up. Or why not take a slice of cheesecake up to your room with—’

‘Rose, no. The girls are staying here. And please, as quickly as you can.’

Rose’s expression changes again, a deep frown forming between her eyes. ‘Understood,’ she says with a solemn nod. She turns and puts the last few plates in the dishwasher, flicking the machine on. A quick wipe down of the draining board and stainless-steel surfaces and she dries her hands. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow then,’ she says, removing her apron and heading off.

When she’s gone, and when Tom has gone off to tell Nikki to not serve any more drinks, that everyone should finish up and go home, Mel steps outside the back door, keeping an eye on the girls through the window as they huddle together on stools at one end of the kitchen. Chloe has her arm around Kate and is talking to her, gently rubbing her back.

‘Hello, yes, put me through to my local police station, please,’ Mel says when the operator asks how she can help.

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