“Nothing, everything’s fine.”
I know something is going on, and I’m going to find out what it is. “Bono, what is going on here?”
*We were only messing with him, and you know we’ve all been practicing being poltergeists*
“No, you didn’t. Tell me now you didn’t mess with Mason.”
*Umm, well, you see*
“You did, didn’t you? You played some kind of trick on him. Well, I’m telling you to stop that shit right now,” I snarl because I don’t like what I am hearing. They can mess with each other, but they leave my man alone.
*We were only playing with him*This time it is Tank that comments and he’s doing his best to look meek. As if I believe that!
“If you don’t stop, I’m going to get Pyro to light up your asses and then I’ll block Pyro so he’s all alone. Now get gone and see what other nasty things could happen to your club brothers.” They both disappear like a puff of smoke, and I clap my hands together like a job well done type of thing.
“What are you doing, Cilla?” Mason asks from the back door.
“Oh, I was talking to Bono and Tank. They’ll not bother you anymore, so let’s go to bed.”
Mason smirks. “Nearly the best offer I’ve had all day.” The look he gives me reminds me of the shower.
The next morning, I am back at work, and thankfully Jayne’s mother is going to be fine. They removed her appendix, and she is recovering with no known complications. Her coming back to work today means I can leave at my normal time.
I very much enjoy working here at the diner. Shelby is a great boss, and my co-workers work as hard as I do. Today I am working alongside Maisy, and Tracy is the cook of the day. Shelby has had to go to the bank, so we are covering for her behind the counter until she returns.
“I’ll stay out here serving, Maisy, and you stay behind the counter. We can work easily that way.”
“If you are sure, Cilla, because I do not mind serving.” Maisy looks at me earnestly, and I know she would happily serve if I wanted to be behind the counter.
I enjoy moving and I enjoy talking with the customers, particularly the regulars I’ve gotten to know. “Nope, I’m fine.”
The morning quickly moves along, and Shelby doesn’t return from the bank, which worries all of us. I take my phone out from under the counter and make a call to Mason. “I think something is wrong, Mason. Shelby went to the bank and hasn’t returned. It’s not like her to just disappear. Would one of the prospects check the bank and Shelby’s house if needed?”
Mason tells me not to panic as he’ll look into it. I relay that to Maisy and Tracy, and we carry on working until we hear from Mason again. I couldn’t even ask my boys to check if it was possible, as they were nowhere in sight this morning.
Twenty minutes later Shelby walks into the diner large as life, with no sign of distress or anything! “Where the hell have youbeen?” Maisy snaps, which brings Shelby’s steps to a grinding halt. “You’ve been missing for over two hours. We have people looking for you. Where have you been? You said you would only be forty minutes.”
I side-eye Maisy, who is red in the face with anger. Shelby looks shell-shocked, then a guilty look crosses her face. “I’m sorry. I came out of the bank, and it was such a pleasant morning I wandered down Main Street and did some window shopping.”
“Window shopping? Freaking window shopping?” Oh, yeah, Maisy is losing it. I remain quiet because basically I’m the new girl and don’t want to get thrown under the bus for any reason.
“It’s no big deal, Maisy. I just needed a moment. You know, to ground myself again.” Shelby is speaking so calmly that I think that is winding Maisy up into a killing mode.
Maisy storms from behind the counter and stops in front of Shelby, near enough nose-to-nose with her, and her jaw is so tight that you can see a muscle jumping. “Next time you want to go for a wander down freaking Main Street, let someone know. I’m done for the day. I’m going home. Cilla, get your jacket. You can go home too and let Miss Roamaround do the rest of the shift.”
Maisy grabs her purse from under the counter and storms out the front door of the diner. The few diners have watched all this go down with their mouths gaping open. Shelby still looks lost as to what has all gone on. Me? I’m minding my own beeswax and get back to work.
Shelby is behind the counter, and I am serving diners. The lunchtime crowd is coming in, and it keeps me busy. Bono is pestering me and I’m blocking him out the best I can. He’s becoming very annoying. “Bono, tell me after my shift. I can’t do anything at the moment, anyway. Just buzz off.”
*I will be back*
Geez, does he think he’s the Terminator now!
Scalpel walks into the diner, and I’m surprised to see he has Coin with him. Once they have taken a seat, I wander over with the coffee and fill them a cup each. “What can I get for you two today?”
“I’ll have today's special, Cilla. Thank you.” Coin gives me a smile, and I return it brightly. I like Coin as he is a sweetheart and I’m more than happy to see him out of his office.
Scalpel gives me an assessing look. I lift an eyebrow at him and stand quietly, waiting for his order. Coin slaps Scalpel’s shoulder, bringing him back from wherever his mind has wandered. “Sorry, Cilla. I’ll have the same, thank you.”