****
The rest of the day was hectic, not unexpectedly. The lunch rush had merged with the dinner rush. Under normal circumstances I’d finish up at two o’clock and Lucy would stay on for the Friday dinner crowd. Tony asked me if I could stay on and fill Lucy’s shift. I said I would, not because of the extra money but because I wanted to smooth things over between Tony and me. I said I’d have to make two quick calls to arrange to have the kids picked up from school and ask one of my girlfriends to have them over for the night. I also had to let Roger know I wouldn’t be home till quite late. Roger had his regular Friday get-together with his mates at the pub, so I didn’t have to worry about cooking dinner, but I still had to let him know. I used my mobile phone and made arrangements to have the kids looked after. I left Roger a message on his voicemail. Lydia returned to help me out for a few hours. We were all very busy, but we managed and kept all our customers happy.
At the end of the evening, after the usual cleaning and lock up, Tony offered us all a drink of our choice and snacks. I just wanted to get home but I felt it would be rude to refuse Tony’s hospitality, particularly after I’d smoothed things over after Mother’s call.