The Christmas Spirit Read Online Free PDF Page B

coat!’
    The girl laughed. ‘Sophie. And can I have a slice of carrot
cake and a chocolate éclair, please?’
    ‘Let me guess, the carrot cake is for your boss?’
    ‘Yep. How did you guess?’
    ‘Well, anyone who’s that much of a bitch hasn’t eaten our
chocolate éclairs before! Carrot cake is much more boring, don’t you think?’
Jacob sounded convincing, even though he hadn’t sampled any of the cakes
himself yet - a real charmer.
    Sophie put her head on one side, pondered this for a second
and then said, ‘You know what? You’re so right. I can’t believe I just spoke to
Cruella like that. She’ll probably shoot me on sight when I get back.’
    ‘What did you say to her exactly?’ asked Jacob, pretending
he hadn’t overheard her conversation.
    ‘I was sarcastic to her, as she was her usual patronising
self. I don’t know what it is. She brings out the worst in me. I’m going to end
up turning into her, I spend so much time with her.’
    ‘God, I hope not,’ Jacob said, clutching his heart in mock
horror, ‘She sounds dreadful. Buy an extra chocolate éclair and bribe her with
that, if things get nasty,’ he advised.
    ‘You’re joking, aren’t you? Cruella, or rather, Meredith,
thinks cream is the devil, although she actually believes carrot cake is healthy .’
    ‘I don’t think she’s alone in that. Well, have a good day
and I hope Cruella isn’t too vicious to you,’ Jacob told Sophie. ‘I’m Jacob,’
he added, realising somewhat belatedly that she had given him her name earlier
but he hadn’t reciprocated.
    ‘Yes, you too. See you again,’ said Sophie, giving him a
little wave as she held open the door, allowing a lady in a wheelchair through.
    Natalie spent the rest of the day weighing and measuring
ingredients and watching customers’ ordering habits, to see how many of each
cake she would need for the next day. Of course, it was only an indication, as
every day would see different customers. She’d seen the glint in the eyes of
not only the old ladies who she’d overheard thought Jacob a sweet boy, but also
several schoolgirls, who had just about swooned when they saw him. Jacob had no
idea he was such a hit, which was truly endearing.
    The bakery closed at five thirty, having sold out of pretty
much everything and having provided sanctuary for a pleasingly high number of
customers in its café. Natalie had discussed takings and what the bakery
usually achieved each day with Mrs Williams, and she was quietly confident that
they were on target to match that. Not for the first time that day she wondered
how poor Mrs Williams’ operation had gone. It was never fun to be in hospital,
but particularly not at that age. She supposed in a way, although she wasn’t
one of Natalie’s chosen four, she was helping Mrs Williams by keeping her
bakery open.
    ‘Good first day?’ Natalie asked Jacob, as he took off his
uniform.
    ‘Yes, I really enjoyed it. I loved talking to the customers
and even though I haven’t worked in a bakery before, I think I’m going to like
it. I loved the buzz of all the people in the café, too.’
    ‘Yes, that’s something I’ve always really enjoyed; that and
people watching,’ Natalie agreed.
    ‘I want to thank you for giving me a chance,’ said Jacob. ‘I
don’t mean to sound superior, but after studying for four years, I didn’t
expect to end up in a shop, but work is just so hard to find.’
    ‘I know. I hear there are seventy applicants for every job
and in this sector as many as two hundred.’
    ‘It doesn’t bear thinking about,’ said Jacob, shaking his
head. ‘So, thanks again.’
    ‘You’re welcome. Now you get off, have a nice evening and
I’ll see you tomorrow. Do you think you could come in at eight thirty, help me
set up?’
    ‘No problem. Have a good one,’ and Jacob took his jacket
from the peg and left.
    Natalie appraised the silent bakery, as she watched passersby
go about their business. It had been dark for over