Page 44 of Grounding the Baker
“Definitely what I was thinking,” she replied. “Usual, I assume?”
“Yeah, thanks, and can I get the mango cooler for Maisie?”
“Of course. The machine’s ready.”
Austin pulled out his phone and tapped the payment screen. He noticed Martin was still watching him, like he was a puzzle he was trying to solve.
“How are you doing, Martin?”
“What happened to Mr Wells?”
“Your son told me not to call you that, and I’m trying to impress him.”
Martin snorted. “Well, it must be working. He hasn’t stopped talking about your date all week.”
Austin felt his face flush. He’d never had this sort of interaction with a partner’s parent before, especially not before the first date. They carried on chatting while Chloe made his coffee, but no heavy topics. It would be important for him to get on with Liam’s father, so he wanted to get off on the right foot. As Chloe was blending Maisie’s drink, his phone rang. It was Mrs Hargreaves, the one whose patio he’d just finished.
“Hello, Calder Landscapes.”
“Austin, is that you?”
“Yes, Mrs Hargreaves. Is everything okay?”
“There are some gaps in the flagstones.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “As I mentioned, they need a few days to settle. I’ll pop back in a week and check them.”
“But I’m having a barbecue tomorrow.”
It was March and the temperature was rarely hitting two figures at the moment. Why she was having a barbecue was a mystery, but not his problem.
“I tried to fix it myself, but something must have happened because some flagstones have moved. Please could you come and look at it?”
“Okay, Mrs Hargreaves. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
He hung up with a groan. So much for being able to talk to Liam. Now he was going to have to go back and fix whatever she’d done. There was no obligation for him to do that, but Mrs Hargreaves was well connected in the village and sat on the parish council, so she was someone you wanted on side. He’d said nothing, but he’d need to take Maisie with him.
“I’m gonna have to head. Please, can you get Maisie for me?”
“How long will you be?” asked Martin.
“No idea. Could be an hour. It just depends what she’s done.”
“Knowing Rita Hargreaves, I’d double that time. Why don’t you leave Maisie here with us. We can look after her.”
Austin wasn’t sure what to say. He knew Liam and trusted him, and by extension that would go to his dad as well, but then it was another person he was dumping his daughter on, and that made him feel like he was being a shitty dad.
“Liam, come out here a second,” shouted Martin.
Liam walked out of the kitchen with a smile. “What’s wrong? We’re nearly done.”
“I need to see a customer,” said Austin.
Liam’s face looked sad, which Austin immediately hated.
“It’s Rita Hargreaves, so I suggested he leave Maisie with us.”
Liam’s face changed immediately. “Yes, leave her with us. We’ll look after her.”
