“First day? Does that mean there’s going to be a second? Did I get the job?”

“Of course. You did great today.”

“Thank you,” I say, trying to sound more enthusiastic than exhausted.

“Thank you. You did great, and don’t feel like you need to put on a brave face for me. I’m tired too, but I’m used to it. I’ve been doing this for twelve years.”

“That’s a long time.”

“Yes, it is,” she says, deep in thought.

She seems to love doing it, but it’s almost as if she yearns for more.

“Is Café Azure yours?” I ask.

“My grandparents opened it in 1955, my parents took over, and now it’s my turn.”

“That’s so nice that it stayed in the family.”

“It is. It’s also a big responsibility.”

“I’m sure. But you do enjoy it, right? You’re great at it, and your baking and cooking skills are amazing. Not to mention your coffee. Delicious!”

She chuckles. “Recipes passed from generation to generation. I learned them when I was a kid; I could do them with my eyes closed.”

“I’ve never known my way around a kitchen,” I say, a bit ashamed.

“I’d be happy to teach you.”

“One day, maybe,” I say and then realize our arrangement is only for a short while, just until I talk to her brother and find Max, so that day will probably never come.

We finish cleaning and lock up.

“Which way are you going?” she asks, in front of the café.

“Not sure. Left, I think. I’m at The Lantern Inn.”

“Susan’s place. OK. How long do you plan to stay here?”

I hesitate.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. Just thinking that it might not be practical to stay at an inn if you’re going to be here for a while.” She winks. “It’s lovely but not cheap.”

I smile. “That’s true, but I’m only staying there for another night. Tomorrow I have to find something else. Even if I could afford it, she’s fully booked.”

“Not surprised. And did you rent a place already?”

“Actually, I wanted to ask if it would be OK if I bring my suitcases to work tomorrow; I’ll put them somewhere in the back. And then maybe on my lunch break—if I have one—or after work, I could go around town to look for a room to rent somewhere.”

“No problem. You can leave them in the back office. And take all the time you need.”

She looks like she wants to say something else but doesn’t.

“Appreciate that. I’ll see you at eight. Good night, Celine,” I say, and I’m about to leave.

“Good night. Maya—” she says and stops. “Not sure if you’d be interested, but I have two spare bedrooms. I live alone in my family’s house, so you can rent one if you want.”

“That’d be amazing,” I say.

She smiles. “They’re obviously not as nice as Susan’s, but they’re not bad either.”