Escape Across the Pond

Chapter 18

Dear Dad,

Have you ever found yourself on what seems like a lucky streak? Where everything that once went wrong has now done a complete 180 and everything starts going right? Has my luck finally changed? Should I have some sort of ritual to keep it going? How long will it last? Maybe I shouldn't question it.

I tried to call Kate that night to break the news that I was falling for her brother despite the fact that it seems like it should be too soon and also, that he has never dated in the first place. Unfortunately, Kate didn't answer and I was afraid to leave a message. She'll return my call when she gets some free time. I really wanted to catch up with her though. I miss her so much. I'm having such a wonderful time here with my new friends and Alex but I still feel guilty that Kate isn't here with me and it's partly my fault. Hopefully, I'll hear from her soon.

Monday morning I was ready to go into the coffee shop. I brought a couple of things from my own kitchen for the coffee cakes as long as Ollie was ok with me making some in the kitchen for Charlotte and me. I raced out of the house and hopped in the car looking forward to the day ahead.

When I got to the coffee shop, Ollie was the only one in the kitchen. "Good morning, Ollie. How are you?" I ask in a cheerful mood.

"Mornin' lass. I'm doin just fine, thank ye fer askin," he responds nearly just as cheerful. "Oh, I believe I've found us someone to replace Anna. The lass is called Olivia. She'll be in later on to shadow Anna." Ollie smiles.

"Well, that's great Ollie. I'm glad to hear it. You deserve a day off. Maybe when she's trained you can take a few days for yourself before Anna leaves. We could manage that long." I suggest.

"Aye, lass. That does sound like a treat. I thank ye." he chuckles and starts to make his way into the front to start the coffee machines.

"Oh, Ollie. Can I ask a favor?" I call out before he's completely out of the kitchen.

"Aye, lass. What can I do fer ye?" Ollie asks.

"Well, a friend is coming in to visit this weekend and I was wondering if I could have Friday off to spend some time with them. I can be here Saturday though. And also, I was wondering if it would be ok to bake some coffee cakes in the kitchen for me and Charlotte. I've brought some of my own ingredients. I'll only need a few things from the kitchen." I ask with my hands clasped together.

Ollie lets out a loud laugh. "Is that all lass? Aye, ye can have off Friday. That's no problem. If ye're needing Saturday too I'm sure we can work it out since we'll have some help this week. But lass, I have to know what a coffee cake is." he says smiling down at me.

So I explain to Ollie all about one of the staples in my house growing up and how much we loved having them with our coffee in the morning. Ollie readily agreed and seemed eager to try one himself. By then Anna had come in and we got our busy morning routine started. I was feeling so good about the past weekend, lunch with Charlotte soon, and making coffee cakes that the morning was over before I knew it.

I met the new girl, Olivia, or Liv as she liked to be called. She's a short, sweet, little blonde. She's Anna's cousin so she's familiar with the recipes and has a knack for the job. She should be a great new addition and I like her already. She just jumped right in and helped without having to give her much direction at all.

Just before the lunch rush was over I started on my coffee cakes. Anna and Liv both watched as I made them. When I told them that some people liked to dunk them in their coffee they looked a little disgusted, but I just laughed and told them the one I was making had a crumble on top and wouldn't work for dunking. I really like them both and I'm going to be sad to see Anna go. I just finished up with the coffee cake when I hear Charlotte out front so I throw a few on a plate and grab myself a coffee before heading out to meet my friend for lunch. She liked all of my other "American deserts" so I hope she likes this one as well. Charlotte lights up and squeals when she sees me coming with my plate of treats.