Sea Glass (WAYHAUGHT)

Sick

Everything went smoothly at Sally's that evening. No coats tripped over, generous tips left by diners, one shaking Nicole's hand, complimenting her on the best scallops they had ever tasted. By the time Waverly said goodnight to the last two customers, Nicole's frostiness appeared to have thawed. She emerged from the kitchen with a bottle of champagne, Robin following with three glasses.

"Here's to us," Nicole announced, popping the cork.

"We totally rocked it," Robin added, handing Nicole the first to fill.

"You're keeping me?" Waverly teased.

"Guess so," Nicole replied winking, offering her a filled flute.

Waverly waited for Nicole to finish topping up the other glasses before raising hers. "To The Salivant."

Toast over, Robin waltzed away to the kitchen. "Sorry if I was off earlier," Nicole said, motioning for them to sit. "Been a funny few days."

"I'm sorry about Shae."

Nicole gave her a quizzical look.

"Her mother."

"Yes...she's..."

"Wish her well from me."

Nicole swallowed. "I will. Thank you."

A silence fell between them. Neither rushed to fill it, much to Waverly's relief, enjoying the peace rather than forcing the conversation. Not that their friendship had changed in any perceptible way, although Waverly could still sense a distance on Nicole's part, a hint of reservation in the way she now behaved. Shae's absence, Rosita's departure, their new contractual arrangement, any of those could be why. Robin called from the kitchen to say he was popping out.

"Did you hear about the competition?" Waverly mentioned, a full glass still in her hand.

"What's this?"

"The BBC, coming here to film. It's for a new show. They've selected dad's pub."

Nicole smiled. "Sounds good."

"Should help with business too," Waverly added. "Not just us. Everyone. They're going to send a crew to do a piece on Meva. You know, a kind of sales pitch." She shifted on her seat. "Guess who has to organise teams for the show?"

"You?"

"Yep. Well, not just me. Dad's getting a committee together. Otherwise, we'll never hear the last of it."

Nicole was staring, her expression one of concern. "What about here?"

"What about it?"

"It won't affect you working here, will it?"

"No," she replied, shifting again in her seat. "Dad knows I'm here now."

The creases on Nicole's forehead vanished. "Only, with Shae away it's all hands I'm afraid."

"I know. Really, it won't get in the way of here."

"When she's back," Nicole continued, "we'll work out your days. Ros usually had Sunday and Mondays off, unless we were busy."

"I don't mind working all seven if that helps."

"You might have to," Nicole muttered.

Waverly spotted that lost look again in Nicole's eyes. She hadn't touched her champagne, and an edge had returned to her voice. "Sorry, I know this is none of my business, but is everything okay?"

Nicole attempted a smile, and failed. "Too many late nights," she offered. "And, one weird review."

"As in bad?"