With a sigh Fliss said, “It was. Honestly, you can’t help someone for trying. This is the third time I’ve given her a job and she either burns the food, clouts one of the other staff, or offends the customers. Today she threw a cast-iron pot at Kevin, the cook. Missed, thank God, but I had to fire her or Kevin would have walked. I’ll put money on her being on the doorstep again before long begging for more work. If she doesn’t get hiked off to prison again first. Anyway, I’d better get back to it, the orders are piling up and I’m trying to do the till as well.”

“I’ll finish this and come and take over the front of house,” Leanne promised. “It’ll leave you free to chat with Dan when he comes,” she said to Andee. “But first, I’ve been thinking, should we try to find a partner for him? He’s highly eligible, and he must be very lonely rattling around that lovely duplex over his office.”

“I think he prefers it that way,” Andee told her. “He’s been incredibly busy with the RJ project lately as well as his law firm, but don’t worry, Graeme and I are keeping an eye on him.”

By the time Dan arrived, Andee and Leanne had finished their lunch. After a warm greeting, Andee hopped up from the table, saying, “I’m going to make a call. I’ll be right back.”

In the café’s cloakroom, which was full of wet coats and umbrellas, she moved farther along to the rose-scented area outside the bathrooms and connected to the number Leanne had given her for Claudia. Disappointingly she was bumped through to voicemail, so she left a message. “Hi, my name’s Andee Lawrence. Leanne Delaney gave me your number. I was hoping to talk to you about some drapes that I need made in a hurry. It’s quite a big order, for a show home. If you’re interested and would like to talk more you can get me on this number. I’m really hoping to hear from you. Thanks.”

Chapter Seven

Claudia watched her mother’s face as she replayed the message from Andee Lawrence, knowing very well what Marcy was thinking. It was probably much the same as she’d thought herself when she’d first heard it, although her mother would have far more optimism going on than she’d had.

At last something that might persuade Claudia to emerge from her shell.