Another Cup of Christmas (ebook)

Argumento de Another Cup of Christmas (ebook)

Having politely escaped her third So what are you doing for Christmas? conversation of the day, Megan Johnson was retreating back to the counter when she spotted Pickwicks most regular customer sit up from her work and brush a stray red hair from her eyes.

Knowing it had been at least half an hour since Kits caffeine addiction had been attended to, the waitress swiped up the percolator jug and headed in her direction.

Without bothering to ask if it was required, Megan poured the steaming liquid with practised care, before taking advantage of the lull in Christmas shopping trade and sitting down opposite her friend. Going OK?

Swivelling the laptop round to face Megan, Kit rubbed the back of her neck, Im sure Ive missed something. What do you think?

Pickwicks Festive Fundraiser!

Spoil Yourself With An Afternoon of Pickwicks Finest Festive Fare.

In Aid of the Royal Free Hospitals Spinal Ward.

Saturday 22^nd December from 2pm.

Deluxe Buffet and Festive Fundraising Fun!

Tickets are ONLY £25 per person

Dont miss out!

Book your place at Pickwicks Coffee Shop, Richmond NOW!!

Megan scanned the poster. Oh, thats fabulous! I thought you were writing your latest novel.

To tell you the truth, thats exactly what I should be doing, but Peggy asked me to do some publicity for the fundraiser and I thought Id better get on with it. Time seems to be dissolving. Itll be the 22nd before we know it.

I know what you mean. Megan started to collect the dishes left by a couple whod just vacated a nearby table. The next three weeks are going to fly by.

Two and a half weeks!

Oh, hell! Really?

Thats why I want to get these done; otherwise everyone will be too booked up with their own celebrations to have time to come. Gesturing towards the kitchen, Kit asked, Hows Scott doing out there, or shouldnt I ask?

Megans permanent smile widened further across her lightly freckled face. Hes amazing. I have no idea how he does it. The temperature in that kitchen is tropical, and yet Scotts still beaming that massive toothy grin of his. Im seriously beginning to think he is physically unable to stop cooking! Surely he must have pre-prepared as much as he can for the fundraiser by now?

Kit nodded. He probably has, but Peggy is getting paranoid there wont be enough food. Glancing around, checking that Megan wasnt needed by a customer for a moment, Kit pointed to a fresh pile of abandoned cups. If I clear those, will you have a proper read of the poster? Im sure Ive missed something obvious but I cant put my finger on it.

Kit was already standing up and taking a tray from Megans hands before the waitress said, On one condition.

Which is?

I can check my emails? Im supposed to be liaising with the hospital about this for Peggy, but weve been so busy over the last few days I havent had time to see if Nick has got back to me about how many of the ward staff are coming.

Nick?

Megan silently cursed her inability to prevent the involuntary warm pink blush that hit her pale cheeks, Yeah, hes the admin guy for the ward that cared for Scott after his accident.

Nice, is he? Kit gently teased the petite blonde waitress, wondering, not for the first time, why someone as kind and pretty as Megan hadnt been snapped up years ago.

Ive never met him, but he seems friendly. Well, he does via email and over the phone at least.

Youve spoken to him then?

There are loads of things to sort out. Megan, knowing that the crush shed developed on Nicks Irish accent was utterly ridiculous, turned her full attention to the poster on the screen before her.

The tempting aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg wafted over the wooden tables and chairs, and wrapped itself around the tastefully decorated Christmas tree which stood in the old-fashioned bay window. As Kit reached the counter laden with dirty crockery, she could hear Scott humming away to the music in the kitchen, where he was cooking up mini Christmas cakes and puddings, the vast quantity of which could rival the shelves of any supermarket.

Peggy glanced up from where shed been scribbling at speed onto an order pad as her friend arrived on her side of the counter, Can you check this? Do you think Ive remembered all the extras for the event?

Kit listened as the cafés manageress read out her list. After dinner mints, turkey, ham, pigs in blankets, stuffing balls, crackers, mixed fruit, and champagne.

Champagne? Theres posh! Kit grinned, Will we have to curtsey when we serve it?

Peggy gave a tired smile, Maybe we should! At £25 a ticket folk will expect something special. We have a heap of orange juice to make Bucks Fizz, soft drinks, wine, and beer already ordered. Peggy dropped the pad a sigh, Im beginning to think were mad. Are enough people going to come to make it worth our while?

Of course they will! Kit, whod been thinking the same thing, added, Who could resist a festive party, with Scotts fantastic cooking, in the best coffee shop in Richmond? The fact its for such a good cause, too, will clinch it for everyone!

Reading the list for herself, Kit asked, Do you have extra fairy lights to go around the counter for extra sparkle on the day? Oh, and festive tablecloths and candles for the tables?

Yep, all thats in hand, although I havent actually arranged the candles into table decorations yet. Peggy flipped over another pad, and Kit saw the worlds longest list of jobs awaiting her attention, to which she now added, Table decs.

Look, Peg, why dont I do those for you? I can do them at home. Im sure Phil and the twins will help.

But youre so busy with your own work. Youre already doing the posters. And call me a cynic, but I cant imagine two 13-year-olds wanting to twist florists wire, tinsel, and holly into interesting shapes for the evening, even for a good cause!

You may be right about the twins, but Id be glad to do it. I want to help as much as I can. And anyway, you know the saying, Want a job done, give it to a busy person! A phrase which goes double for you and Scott!

You arent kidding. Why was I so stupid as to do this at Christmas? It seemed such a good idea at the time.

Seeing panic start to rise in her normally calm friends eyes, Kit reached out a reassuring hand. Peg, this is absolutely the perfect time. Its the time of year for thank yous. Sometimes, when I see Scott dashing around like a lunatic in that kitchen of his, I cant believe it ever even happened.

Check year.

Happy to make this Sat 2012

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