Maureen knocked softly on the screen door at the back of the kitchen. Can I get fries with that?
It’s you! Penny quickly wiped her hands on her apron and opened the door. What a lovely surprise. Come here and give me a kiss. You look wonderful. How have you been? Where have you been? Oh, hold on a second and let me finish these orders.
Sorry. I thought the lunch trade would be done by now.
It usually is, but there’s a retirement village in Hobart that’s discovered what a great pub this is, so now we’re getting a busload of pensioners three times a week. Penny plated two slices of lemon tart, then spooned a dollop of mascarpone beside them. I’ll be right back, she said and carried the desserts into the pub.
You’re waiting as well?
Penny shrugged. It’s the last order for the day. And Paul’s busy serving.
He must be pleased with the extra business. I’m surprised he hasn’t hired someone to give you a hand.
We’re definitely considering it. I can’t keep doing all this by myself for much longer. Matthew will be on holidays in a couple of weeks, but he’s still too young to go near anything hot.
How’s he doing?
Tell him I said hi, will you?
You’re not staying? He’ll be home in an hour. I’m sure he’d love to see you.
I just popped in to say hello. I don’t want to get in your way.
Don’t be silly. I can pack up and talk at the same time. I suppose you’ve seen our news.
Yeah, where’s Carl gone? The sign on the door says he’ll be back in two weeks. Tim and I never took holidays like that. But maybe that was the problem.
That sign has been up for over a month. Penny carried the rest of the lemon tart back into the cool room.
You mean he just ran away? Maureen began loading plates into a dishwasher tray.
Certainly looks that way. Bet it won’t be long before we see a For Sale sign going up.
But what happened? He can’t have gone broke that quickly. Did something go wrong?
Penny almost told Maureen to stop what she was doing, but then remembered that Matthew had soccer practice this afternoon and there was still prep to do for tomorrow. No one knows. Maybe he just decided he didn’t like it up here. Too cold perhaps. You certainly managed to avoid one hell of a winter.
You mean it’s been colder than this?
Today is a summer’s day compared to what we’ve been through. The roads have been closed four or five times since you and Tim left.
I’m kind of sorry to have missed that. It must have looked beautiful.
Penny stopped and smiled. Yeah, it did.
Maureen slid the tray into the dishwasher and pressed the start button. So what has everyone been doing for bread and milk?
Paul has set up a little emergency service until either Carl returns or someone else buys the shop. Don’t suppose you want to take it over again? I imagine it’s going for less than what you sold it.
No thanks. Done that. Still, I’m surprised it went so bad for Carl so quickly.
I’m not. He wasn’t the sharpest tool in the box. Or the nicest for that matter.
I did get that impression. How’s Paul taking it?
There were a couple of bumpy days to begin with. And every once in a while he still gets upset. But it’s hard to think fondly of someone who just leaves without saying goodbye.
You’re kidding.
Can you believe it? How mean is that? Just shot through without a word. Between you and me I’m glad to see the back of him. Paul is his old self again, sitting on his stool, and the pub has never done so well. But that’s enough about our dramas. I want to hear about what you’ve been up to.
Nothing half as exciting. After Tim and I finalised everything I just went driving around Tasmania.
And it took you that long?
There wasn’t any reason to rush. Most of my time in Tasmania had been spent up here, so I wanted to see some more of the state. Did a few bushwalks. Climbed a mountain or two. Read a lot. Ate a lot. Slept a lot.
Well it suits you. You look great.
Thanks. So do you.
Penny snapped lids onto the plastic containers arranged around the counter. I look the same as I always do. Any word from Tim?
Yeah, he’s fine. Already has himself a girlfriend. Says they’re going to open up a frozen yoghurt shop in the city.
Not Hobart?
No. Melbourne.
Thank God. I hate those things. So what are your plans?
I don’t have any at the moment. I’d like to stay in Tasmania if I can, but I’ll need to find some work eventually. I’d prefer just to sit at home and read books, but I’ve checked the papers and there was nothing advertised.
Yeah, not many jobs like that around I suspect. You could always come and work with me for a while if you’ve got nothing better to do.
Maureen glanced about the kitchen and smelled fennel, salad dressing and the oil in the fryer. You’re serious?
Of course I am. I know you can cook. And you’re sane…sort of. Penny carried her plastic containers into the cool room.
But I’ve never worked in a proper kitchen before. I’ve always just done my own thing in my own house.
I can show you how it works. It’s not very hard. This was my first commercial kitchen as well, you know.
But wouldn’t it seem weird for me to come back after leaving so recently?
Penny began to wipe down the benches. More like you’ve made an intelligent decision. I wouldn’t leave Wood Green for the world. And I bet Paul would love the idea. You could rent one of his rooms upstairs. Or stay with me and Matthew. We’ve got a spare bedroom. And you already know everybody in town. Why wouldn’t you do it? It’s not as if it’s going to be a lot of work. You won’t get rich. But I can guarantee there’ll be plenty of time for you to read.
Maureen stared out the screen door. I’m not sure everyone would be glad about me coming back.
Don’t worry about Lucian. He never comes in here for lunch anyway. I haven’t seen him in ages.
Maureen was surprised that Penny knew about her affair, but when she thought about it for a moment longer it made sense that other people would know.
He’s probably finishing his latest book. I was going to drop by and say hello. We never really said a proper goodbye to each other. But it sounds as though he’s busy. Maybe I shouldn’t disturb him.
Of course you should. It’ll give me time to have a word with Paul. The two of us working together is a fantastic idea. We could make this place great. Maybe even open up for dinner. You watch. Together we’ll put this pub on the map.