Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle by Pam Weaver Page B

waitress job, things will be a lot easier for you. You’ve been running around like a blue-arsed fly since you started and must be fair worn out.’
    â€˜I don’t mind.’
    â€˜What’s she like?’
    Before Pearl could answer, the door swung open, Mrs Dolby walking in with Alice Freeman behind her. ‘Gertie, Mo, this is Alice. She’s starting work with us on Monday.’
    â€˜Hello,’ Gertie said, Mo following suit, both looking at the woman appraisingly. Alice was a strong-looking young woman, with fair hair pulled back in one long plait that hung down her back.
    â€˜And this is Pearl, our other waitress.’
    â€˜Hello,’ Alice said. ‘Have you been managing the tables on your own?’
    â€˜Yes, but I’ve coped.’
    â€˜She has,’ Dolly agreed, ‘for a new girl she’s done remarkably well. Mind you, a lot of our customers ain’t got time to hang about and they’ve been getting a bit impatient at the slow service.’
    Pearl flushed. She’d heard the complaints, and on occasions a few costermongers walked out, saying they’d go across the road to the pie-and-mash shop. She hadn’t realised that Mrs Dolby knew, and hung her head.
    â€˜Now then, girl, I ain’t criticising. As I said, you’ve done well. Now go on back to the dining room and fetch us all a cup of tea.’
    â€˜Yes, Mrs Dolby.’
    â€˜Well, Pearl,’ Bernie said as she walked up to the counter, ‘we’ve got another waitress at last, and an experienced one at that. Things will be easier all round now.’
    Pearl managed a small smile, watching as Bernie poured the tea. She took the cups through to the kitchen, finding Alice chatting to Mrs Dolby, the two women obviously getting on well.
    â€˜Don’t worry, Mrs Dolby,’ Alice was saying, ‘I’ll be able to show Pearl the ropes and her speed will pick up in no time.’
    â€˜Did you hear that, Pearl? You’ll learn a lot from Alice, so take note of what she tells you.’
    With a small nod, Pearl placed the tray on the table. Alice was looking at her, a strange look in her eyes, one almost of triumph. But why?
    Pearl found out on Monday. When she arrived at the café, Alice was already there, standing behind the counter and making a pot of tea.
    â€˜Right, Pearl, once I’ve poured this you can take one through to Mrs Dolby. I’ve sorted out our tables. You can have the ones at this end, and I’ll take the others.’
    Alice had chosen the easiest tables to work, those nearest the kitchen, and Pearl looked at Bernie for his reaction.
    He was emptying bags of coins into the till,and just smiled, saying, ‘Good morning, love. It’s good that you won’t have to manage on your own now. There’ll be no complaints about the service today.’
    Pearl had a bad feeling about Alice. She was already asserting herself, but since her days in the orphanage Pearl had never had the courage to speak up for herself. Now, taking a cup of tea through to Mrs Dolby, she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her tummy.
    â€˜Good morning, Pearl,’ Dolly said. ‘Now that Alice has started, watch and learn from her. It was rough on you starting with no one to show you the ropes, but you ain’t done bad.’
    â€˜Thank you, Mrs Dolby.’
    Dolly’s broad, flat face broke into a smile, her voice unusually soft. ‘Go on, get on with your work.’
    As Pearl went back to the dining room she saw both Bernie and Alice chatting as they drank their tea.
    â€˜Come on, Pearl, I’ve poured a cup for you too,’ Alice called.
    It was a friendly gesture and Pearl responded, chatting to the woman whilst Bernie popped out to the kitchen.
    Alice glanced around the café. ‘I expect it’s the same routine as the Trafalgar and I’ll soon settle in.’
    â€˜I’m sure you will, but I think there must be an easier