by Leona Fox
Walking through the crisp morning air she worked through the problem as she would with any mystery, by narrowing down the possibilities until she was left with the final answer. If she wasn't willing to give up any other part of her life, then the only thing to do was find some way to alleviate the restrictions on her time. The only thing that made sense to her was hiring some part-time help at the cafe. To actually have someone there in an official capacity who could help with running the place would be a godsend. It wasn't just being at the cafe. It also was talking with suppliers and buying food for the cafe and all the behind the scenes things that ate up so much of her time.
But who would she hire? That was the question. In her old job, in her old life in the city, she had been the head of a department and had hired people. That was a long time ago, though, and there was a certainly formality to those interviews that she detested. East Pender wasn't like that. The community was friendly and small and she wanted to treat people as friends, because that's what they were.
There was a recruitment agency in town that helped people look for jobs. Although most of those took people on a daily commute to the city, since that is where most of the opportunities lay, but she decided to not advertise through that. Rather, she put up a poster in the cafe and talked to many of her regulars about it. Most people were intrigued by the position, and she had much interest from many customers, although not all of them were desirable candidates. For example, old Mrs. Hudson, who had a failing memory. She was a lovely woman but Ellen couldn't trust her with running the cafe in her absence.
The ideal person would have been Kelly. She had filled the role many times while Ellen had been out and about investigating various crimes, but when Ellen approached her with the position she sighed in awkward reluctance.
“Don't get me wrong,” Kelly began, “I love helping out here once in a while but I don't think I could do it as a job. I like knowing that I can just pop in and out as I please. Besides, I like having the freedom of knowing I just can work on my art whenever I like.”
Ellen understood her reasoning but it still would have been easier had she been eager to take the position. Instead, Ellen found herself with a long list of willing applicants. It wasn't too often when a new job became available in East Pender. So many people applied hoping they would be the one to be chosen. A lot of them Ellen knew well, while others she only had met in passing. She knew it would be difficult to turn down some of them because they all were so nice and friendly. One afternoon, she went through the list and narrowed it down to people who she thought could be suitable. She ended up with about five names left, which seemed like a good selection to choose from.
After conducting a number of interviews with the chosen applicants, Ellen ended up with two people she thought would be suitable for the job. The interview process was revealing for her as it brought back memories of the city. She realized she hadn't changed that much after all, and that the person she was back then was still inside her.
Her heart went out to some of the applicants, though. One young girl was a nervous wreck. Her lip quivered, beads of sweat were visible on her temples, and every time she spoke her voice trembled. In the end, Ellen decided that, at some point, she would give the girl some advice on how to present herself at interviews. Otherwise, she would find it difficult to get a job. And although it was tempting to have a younger girl working for her, someone to mentor and offer general advice about living, Ellen couldn't allow herself to take on something else that would drain her time. She wanted someone more experienced in the ways of the world.
The two people left were Alexander Sparks and Pippa Granger. Pippa was in her forties, while Alexander was in his late twenties, although he had an air of sadness about him that suggested he was older. Pippa was a short, stocky woman with loud pipes. She sang in the choir and there had been more than one occasion when she had made Ellen's skin tingle. Ellen always had been in awe of her talent. She had dark curly hair that always was swept back in a ponytail, beady eyes that darted about in every direction, and a mouth that always ran with gossip. If there was something happening in town, you could be sure Pippa knew about it, and that she would tell somebody else soon, always offering her opinion on everything. She was a people person in the truest sense of the word. Ellen knew if Pippa got the job the customers would be in good hands and always would be made to feel welcome.
Alexander, on the other hand, was withdrawn and quieter. He was still nice enough, but he spoke softly, and Ellen could not imagine him flitting through the cafe, talking with the customers. He was a tall, wiry man who walked with hunched shoulders and kept pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. His hair was short and slightly untidy, and his clothes always seemed creased. Yet, he was highly intelligent and all his references made mention of how he was a hard worker and excelled at any task he was given.
During the interview she took the two candidates out to the front of the cafe and asked them to serve a customer, showing them how to use the coffee machine. Both were good in different ways. Pippa greeted the customer warmly and chatted openly with them while she made the coffee. Due to the chatter the interaction took longer than usual, but the customer left with a smile on his face. Alexander was polite and courteous but he lacked that ineffable spark that Pippa had in abundance. Yet, where Pippa had been clumsy and flustered using the machine, Alexander got it right first time and the coffee he made was excellent. He also managed to sell a muffin, and this use of his initiative impressed Ellen.
Perhaps the most important part of the interview was the question of why they wanted the job, and Ellen listened carefully to their answers.
Pippa said, “Well, I really do miss working. I gave it up when I had the kids because I wanted to be a stay-at-home parent and make sure we really connected. Now they're away and the house just feels so empty, and to be honest, so does my life. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining that much because there are people in the world much worse off than me, but I want something to keep me busy. I really like being in the cafe and seeing all those people, of course you probably can tell I have the gift of gab. Jack always says I could win gold at the Olympics if there was a competition for who could talk the longest. I guess, when it comes down to it, I just want to be around people again. I miss it and I think I could really be good at it. I know the kind of atmosphere you want in the cafe and I can help bring it to life.”
Alexander was a little less forthcoming with his answer. He shuffled in his seat and spoke in that low, quiet tone, so Ellen had to strain to hear. “I, um, I've been out of work for a long time. I need to be honest with you, and tell you that I suffered from depression. That's why I've been off work the past few years, but during that time I've tried to get better. I realize what I need in my life is structure. There was a point in my life when I was very lonely and at my lowest. Then one day I walked past and saw everyone in here having a good time.
“I was about to carry on walking home when I was filled with the impulse to come in and sit down, even though I was on my own. I took a seat near the window and listened in to people's conversations. I know that eavesdropping isn't the best habit to have but I just loved hearing everyone talk about their lives. Most of my friends left East Pender to find their destinies elsewhere, you see. I was left here, and it's always been difficult for me to make new friends. On that night, some random person came and sat down with me and talked with me. It really opened my eyes to what I had been missing. I don't think that person knows how powerful that simple gesture was but it...it really saved me. I guess I'd like to maybe one day do the same thing myself for someone who needs it. That's really why I'd like to work here, I guess...” he said, trailing off.
It was evidently something that was a struggle for him to talk about and Ellen thanked him for sharing it with her. The differences in his and Pippa's answers struck a chord with Ellen. While Pippa had been concerned with what the job could do for her, Alexander was more concerned with how he could use t
he job to help with other people and that was what made Ellen lean more toward him. However, since it was such an important decision Ellen wanted another opinion. So she had Kelly come in and meet the two candidates, and then talked over her feelings about them both.
“I can tell that you prefer Alexander,” Kelly remarked after Ellen had finished talking about it.
“Is it really that obvious?”
“Yes, but then again you always have had a thing about the hard luck cases.”
“I do not!” Ellen protested.
“Yes, you do. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it shouldn't be a deciding factor in this decision because you have to think about what's best for the business.”
“So what are your thoughts?”
“Honestly? I prefer Pippa. I think she has the right look and the right attitude for the job. She's friendly and attentive and she makes me feel welcome. She makes me feel like I belong here. She's got a good sense of humor and she's just so...personable.”
“What about the way she makes coffee?”
Kelly ran her hand through her mass of blonde hair. “Okay, so she's not perfect,” she said, smiling, “but those are things that can be learned.”
“So can being friendly,” Ellen replied. Kelly shook her head.
“Not really, that's just something you either have or you don't. And in this line of work it's better to be a natural at it.”
“So you don't like Alexander for the role at all?”
“I didn't say that. I think he's a nice man. He's certainly not rude, and while I didn't feel especially welcome with him, I didn't feel like he was excluding me either. It was just all very...standard, mechanical, maybe? It was like the kind of service you'd get in Starbucks or something and I know you don't want to be like them. He was efficient, though. I'll give him that. I just think Pippa can learn to get better at the coffee machine while Alexander is always going to be a little quiet.”
“Did you know he suffered from depression?” Ellen asked.
“No, I didn't, but that shouldn't matter here.”
“I just think it's impressive he was able to turn his life around and actually apply for the job. The thing that worries me about Pippa's friendliness is that she'll let it get in the way of her job and end up talking with the customers more than she works. There's a difference between being a good host and being friendly. There's always that line between you.”
“So teach her about it, train her to restrain herself.”
Ellen pulled a face, for they both knew it would be nigh on impossible to restrain Pippa, who was an exuberant soul.
“Look,” Kelly continued, “at the end of the day, it's your business. So you get to make the final decision and you can hire whomever you want. But you have to admit you do tend to have a hero complex about these things. You like saving people and giving them a chance to improve themselves. There's nothing wrong with that, but that shouldn't be the deciding factor why you hire someone to help run the cafe while you're absent. Don't forget that you'll be entrusting the cafe to them while you're not here. So you'll have to make sure they know what they're doing.”
Ellen thought about it long and hard, weighing the pros and cons of the two candidates, but she couldn't stop returning to the reasons why they applied for the job. The fact that Alexander's reasoning was so selfless made her drawn to him. Although Kelly was right; she did have a tendency to want to help hard luck cases, Ellen also knew she wanted someone she could trust with the administrative side of the business as well. What she didn't need was someone who was only there to distract themselves from their loneliness and use the cafe as a way to socialize and meet people. So, in the end, when she picked up the phone she found her fingers were dialing Alexander's number. She smiled as he met the good news with a typically reserved reaction.
Chapter 2
The following day Ellen felt a little happier when she woke up. Alexander was scheduled in for a trial shift, just to make sure he actually enjoyed working in the cafe. Applying for a job is one thing but actually doing it is another. He was there bright and early to help open the cafe, and Scampy seemed to take a liking to him.
“I used to have a dog like this when I was younger. He was the friendliest little thing,” Alexander said as he bowed down to the floor to rub Scampy's neck.
“Scampy's lovely,” Ellen said, smiling as she looked at the two of them playing together.
“Do you know how I first got him?” she asked. Alexander shook his head.
“I guess I'm a bit out of the loop on most things around here.”
“I was working at the cafe when Scampy came up to me and led me to his owner, who had been killed. His name was George and Scampy was instrumental in finding the killer. After it was all over I just had to take care of the little fellow. It's funny, really. Before Scampy, animals never really had much time for me but I guess he must have seen something in me.”
“Maybe it was true love,” Alexander said, and they both laughed.
“What was your dog called?”
“Caesar, but not named after the emperor. My dad was a huge Planet of the Apes fan. He died of cancer. In the end, he had tumors all over his body, the poor thing. We had to put him down. Caesar that is, not my father.”
“That's tough. I'm hoping Scampy has a few years left in him yet.”
“He certainly seems full of life!” Alexander said, laughing as he petted Scampy and rose from the floor.
“I'd love to play some more,” he said to the dog, “but I'm afraid your mom won't be very impressed if I just fool around with you all day!”
“I certainly won't,” Ellen said in a warning tone. Scampy cocked his head toward her and then ran away on his little legs to entertain himself.
“So tell me a little bit more about yourself. Have you always lived in East Pender?”
“Born and raised. I did think about leaving when all my friends did, but I guess I missed my chance.”
“There's not a time limit on these things. I'm sure there are still opportunities out there, not that I'd suggest leaving now since you've just started working here.”
Alexander flashed her a smile. Now that it was just the two of them together in the cafe Alexander was more relaxed. She pleased to see the tension in his body must have come from the fact that interviews were daunting.
“Don't worry, I don't have any plans to leave. I'm glad you gave me this opportunity, by the way. I thought I'd blown the interview. I was so nervous. It's been a long time since I've had a job.”
“I have to admit, I like that you're so open about what you've been through. A lot of people would be ashamed.”
When she said this there was a certain look that flashed in Alexander's eyes, but it was gone almost as quickly as it had appeared. “I spent a lot of time trying to fight it, trying to ignore it. Because of that I lost a lot of people who were close to me. The best thing I did was accept my condition. It's a part of me and it's pointless to deny it. I just have to try living my life as best I can, and try being the best person I can be. It's not always easy, but I feel like I've made a lot of progress.”
“That's great, and if there's anything I can do to help don't hesitate to ask.”
“Oh, you've done more than enough! Having this job is going to do wonders, I think. I'm going to feel like a productive member of society again. It's been a long time since I've felt a part of the world.”
“Well, you're going to have that feeling a lot. Now, I have to ask, though, are you sure you're going to be alright here on your own? Part of the reason why I wanted to hire someone to help is because of my work with the police. So a lot of the time you'll be working independently.”
“Oh yeah, that's fine, I'm sure once I learn the ropes it'll be easy. Do you like working with the police then?”
“Like you, I find it pleasing to be able to make a difference,” she said with a glint in her eye.
The two of them spoke some more as they turned on the coffee machi
ne and pulled the chairs off the tables. Ellen was glad to find they were getting on well, as nothing would have been worse than if the two of them didn't have a rapport. Before too long it was time for the cafe to open and Ellen allowed Alexander to turn the sign around, signaling the cafe was open for business. The first hour was a little quiet, but people soon started trickling in. Ellen let Alexander take the lead in serving them, observing what he did and how he interacted with them. Most of the people knew Ellen had been looking to hire someone. So they congratulated Alexander, although not all of them felt he was the best person for the job.
After about the first hour Ellen had a few little tips for Alexander, which he took on board without any sign of ego. She was impressed at how he handled the customers. A few of them thought he was strange because he wasn't Ellen, but as the day progressed she was sure she had made the right decision.
They talked about many subjects that day, although she found it was she who did most of the talking. She tried asking him about his childhood and his life in East Pender, but he changed the subject or deflected the question. This intrigued her, for she liked nothing more than a mystery. It obviously wasn't anything to do with his depression because he was so open about that. So it had to be something else. He had made a casual reference about losing someone who was close to him. She inferred from this that perhaps he had had a relationship that went bad but there were few other details coming from him. They mostly spoke of general things. He was inquisitive about the cafe and always wanted to learn about why things were done a certain way. He had the sort of mind where Ellen only had to tell him something once for him to get the hang of it. She appreciated that greatly as she did not like repeating herself.
