Learning to Love Christmas

Chapter 12

XII: Pastry Craze

December 13, 2013

“Have a nice day.” Carol smiled politely at the two girls on the other side of the counter.

Carol loved handling the cash register. Being the gossip fuelled person she is, she gets her daily fix while making small talk with the customers or over hearing what they say. I was wiping down the counter and doing orders today so I got to hear what everyone else was talking about too.

When the girls got their orders, the first one turned to her friend and continued their previous conversation. “And they tied a tutu around it!”

“What? No way! We have to check it out.” Gavin and I shared a look when he passed.

 “Yes way!” She replied. “Greatest prank of all time, I’m telling you.”

I could still hear their laughter as they drifted out the door.

There have been many variations of what they said, some positive some not so much. Of course all our classmates from Fairview have been highly amused. But Hearst wasn’t.

Gavin was absolutely delighted about this. He swung by the counter and gave Carol a smug look. “Still regretting our time with Henry the hornet head?”

“Henry?” I asked, looking at him incredulously.

He shrugged and said, “First thing that popped into my head. So, Carol?”

“Yes, I do.” Carol said, busying herself with counting change. “We could’ve been caught! We could’ve gone to jail!”

“But we didn’t.” Gavin said pointing a finger at her.

“We could’ve.” She snapped back.

“But we didn’t.”

“Gavin!” Carol scowled at him.

“She has to stop fighting with everyone.” Oliver rolled his eyes when he got to the other end of the counter to get the next order.

“I’m sure she’s working at it.” I said, sprinkling cinnamon onto the frothy cup of coffee. I looked up at him and smiled, placing the cup and the plate of cookies on his tray. “You know, you’re getting really good at this barista thing, Oliver.”

“Aw,” He said, giving me a lopsided smile. “Even Santa doesn’t make candy as sweet as you.”

“That was cheesy and girly.” I laughed at him. “I think Carol heard you so I suggest you walk away before – ”

“Already gone.” He said, smiling at me goofily before going with his tray.

I found myself rolling my eyes and smiling as I wiped down the counter. I looked up and saw Jo standing by the pastry displays and giving me a look. I raised an eyebrow at her questioningly. “What?”

“Nothing.” She said, smiling knowingly.

“Tell me.” I frowned.

“Oh, you’ll find out for yourself soon enough.” She winked and walked past me to get back to her office. I shook my head and moved on to refilling the sugar shakers. Carol, seeing that there were going to be no new customers for a while, slumped on the stool behind the counter to take a short break.

“You shouldn’t be sitting on the job, you know.” I told her.

“Jo wouldn’t mind.” Carol replied with a wave of her hand. “Anyway, have you got your dress already?”