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Screaming has everyone in the commons turn and watch as Cilla storms past with Ayla. “Acker!” Ayla screeches. Oh dear. We all know now that Ayla is throwing a tantrum because she wants Pres, much to Cilla’s annoyance.
Finger is watching from the kitchen doorway but makes no move to follow. Not yet, at least. He’ll hang back for ten minutes while Ayla’s tantrum calms, then he’ll go calm Cilla. Married life…fun, they say!
Chapter 10
MIRI
Waking in a strange bed feels so weird, but I sit up on the edge of the bed and collect myself. The bikers are here. They are going to come to the diner. I’m positive that will happen sometime today. If that happens and Geri is with them, I’ll know if she is with them because she wants to be, or if she was taken by them.
Shaking myself out of what could become dark thoughts, I wash, dress, and head downstairs via the indoor staircase. I’m pleased they are not the stairs that are seen outside of buildings because they can become dangerous in different weather conditions or bad state of upkeep.
Walking into the kitchen, Trace is already prepping for the day. “Good morning, Trace.” I give him a small smile, which he returns.
“Morning, Miri. Did you sleep okay?”
“Actually, better than I expected.” That is not a word of a lie either. I slept soundly, and I think that was because I felt safe in the apartment.
Vanessa walks into the kitchen from the dining area. “Morning, Miri. Get some breakfast, and then I’ll show you what needs to be done. But before you do anything you need to know if or when the bikers come. You duck into the kitchen. If your sister is with them, watch without revealing yourself. Not knowing she is being watched will give you a clearer picture of what is really happening.”
“I agree. She’ll act naturally if she doesn’t know I’m watching.” I turn when Shall walks into the kitchen carrying a tray of salt and pepper shakers.
Vanessa squeezes Shall’s shoulder, “Thanks, Shall. Can you clear under the counter, and make sure Alice is under there.”
“What is Alice?” I blurt without thinking.
“My baseball bat. She’s a beauty, and she has been used many times to get rowdy customers out of the diner,” Vanessa responds with such a proud smile on her face that I don’t hold back the burst of laughter that bubbles up my throat.
“Yeah, she’s got a good swing arm,” Trace adds while smirking.
I quickly eat the breakfast that Trace hands to me before I have to get ready to start the day in the diner. I’m a little nervous, but these people have to be the kindest I’ve met in a long time. How I will ever repay them I don’t know.
“Fill the shakers, Miri, and then we’ll have the morning customers wanting their breakfasts.” I give Vanessa a nod and after finding the salt and pepper in the pantry get down to refilling the shakers.
After refilling the shakers, I take the tray out to the dining area and place one of each onto the tables. Shall waves the baseball bat behind the counter to show me Alice, and I can’t help but smile at the look on his face.
“Can I call you Zack?” I ask.
“Yeah, I’m okay with that,” Zack answers, and I’m pleased about his reply because I’m not keen on calling him Shall I have to admit.
The diner door opens and three men walk in talking loudly to each other. “Morning, Vanessa.” They shout one after another.
“The usual?” Vanessa asks as she turns to the hatch into the kitchen.
“Yeah, that’s great,” one of them answers, and they take a table on one side of the room.
Vanessa waves me over. “Take them a mug each, then fill them up. Keep your eye on the table and every now and again take the pot and top off their mugs.”
“Okay,” I quickly reply and grab three mugs from the stack behind the counter. I pick up the coffee pot and head to their table. “Good morning, coffee?”
After getting nods and curious looks, I quickly walk back with the pot and pop it onto the hotplate. From that point, the door continuously opens and I’m filling mugs, taking out plates of breakfast, and generally running back and forth until my head spins.
Pausing a moment in the kitchen, I hear Trace chuckle. “It’s harder than it looks don’t you think?”
“Yeah, Trace. It is hard on the legs and feet. I’m pleased I don’t have one of them step counter watches or I’d feel more tired knowing how many steps I’ve done,” I reply, but I’m smiling at the same time.
Once the breakfast rush is over, we clean all the tables, check the salt and pepper shakers once more, and fill the dishwasher with the second load. One thing you don’t know about diners is the way everyone has to know their piece of work. That is what I have noticed most this morning. Trace, Vanessa, and Zack all know what needs to be done, and they do it around each other without causing a problem to the kitchen or dining room.
Vanessa stops in front of me, where I’m stacking plates. “Go to the apartment, have a half-hour break. There is stuff in the fridge if you want to make a sandwich or anything. Zack will take a break with you, but don’t be late back because the lunch rush will be starting.”
