Sketched

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ALISON'S POV

Days blended into weeks and soon I had been working in Nando’s for two weeks. I wasn't sure how much in tips I had earned but my College jar wasn't completely empty now. I was pleased but it was still nowhere near the amount I needed.

It was a warm Friday evening and I was stuck inside, wiping down tables and restocking the little Nando’s icon into the centrepiece. Every table had to have salt, pepper and the dessert menu’s with a large bottle of Peri-Peri sauce.

Charlotte passed me and whispered "Couple at the door, can you get them?" I nodded, tucking my cloth into my apron and making  my way to the door, stopping at multiple tables to check on everyone's meal before I arrived at the front door.

A young couple entered the restaurant and I stepped towards them, plastering a smile on my face. "Hello, welcome to Nando’s. Two, is it?”

"Ali!" Chelsea squealed, wheeling around and throwing her arms around me, "Oh, I was praying we'd be served by you!"

Caught off guard and under close scrutiny of fellow staff and customers, I pushed her away gently, trying to quieten her down.

 Harvey stepped forward, grinning. I could feel my stomach do a little flip but, I was a loyal friend and as Chelsea had said 'Sisters before Misters' “Hey, Alison.”

“Hi, Harvey. So, table for two, then?”

He nodded his consent, slipping his arm around Chelsea’s waist. I ignored the slight pang of jealousy, picking up two menus and a wine list and leading them to their table.

"So, I know for a fact that you guys haven’t been before, so, let me explain the menu to you guys,” I said, laying the menu out in front of them. After running through the menu, I continued wiping up tables and then decided to take up a till.

Chelsea and Harvey approached my till after a few minutes of deciding and ordered.

“Any drinks?” I asked.

"Um, the house red please?" Chelsea asked. I raised an eyebrow, knowing that Chelsea wasn't a great drunk but, kept my mouth shut.

"Coke, please," Harvey asked, his expression mirroring mine. I poked the touch screen furiously, rereading their order aloud and sending it away to the kitchen staff.

When their food was ready, I swiped them off the placement counter where finished dishes were left under the heat before being served.

As I drew near their table, I could see they were sharing a moment. Their fingers were interlocked in the centre of the table and they were staring at each other like two lovesick idiots. The pang of jealousy made itself present again.

 It felt awkward to intrude and I was about to turn around but, Chelsea had seen me and called me over.

Placing their food on the table, I tried to avoid how Harvey was massaging Chelsea's hand lovingly. I could see he was trying to do it in the most discreet way possible but, right then, it was all I could see.

"Enjoy your meal,” I choked out, blushing furiously.

*

An hour passed as I rushed around, taking and giving orders. I had avoided Harvey and Chelsea for the duration of their dinner and thankfully, they had left for the film a while ago.

"Thanks guys!" I waved off another satisfied family. My digital watch beeped, notifying me of the end of my shift. How I adored those simple monotonous beeps.

I grinned and nearly sprinted to the locker area where staff member's bags, phones, wallets and jackets were left in little lockers. I took my tips out of my apron pocket and replaced my army green jacket on the rack with the apron.