Chapter 6

Mr. Davies was expecting Iris to work till late in the evening. But she had to go back home to prepare dinner. Every year she would leave late from work and cook after getting home and eat her turkey at midnight when her birthday started.

But this year she couldn't afford to be late. This year she didn't just have to roast a turkey but cook all the traditional Christmas food. She had to reach home at least till the afternoon so that she could start with her turkey first.

She went on the counter to talk to Mr. Davies who was busy making the bills.

"Mr. Davies?" She said.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Mr. Davies said while looking at the computer screen over his glasses and typing slowly on the keyboard.

"I need to leave in an hour."

He looked at her. "In an hour? Iris, you know it's crazy in here today."

Iris nodded. "I know. But I have to prepare Christmas Dinner. For the first time, someone's coming over for dinner at my house." She said with a grin on her face.

"And who would that be?" Mr. Davies looked back at the screen and started to type.

"A friend." She replied.

"A friend? You mean the handsome man came in a while ago?"

Iris flicked one eyebrow. "The handsome man?"

He looked at her and smirked. "You think I won't keep an eye on my staff because of all the crowd? My eyes are everywhere."

She rolled her eyes. "That's adorable. But I really have to go. Please, Mr. Davies. You know I never take holidays."

Albert, one of the waiters came to the counter and handed a paper of ordered items to Mr. Davies, for making the bill.

Mr. Davies took the paper from him and tucked it under the keyboard along with the other two white papers.

"I know sweetheart. But you are the only one who can handle four tables at once. The rest of them can barely take two tables." Mr. Davies said without looking at her and continued typing.

"Please Mr. Davies. I have never asked for favors before. Someone is coming for dinner and I'm pretty excited."

He looked at her and exhaled, "Fine. You are a young woman. You deserve to be happy. Go ahead. I'll ask Sandra to cover for you."

Iris grinned excitedly and threw her arms around Mr. Davies. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Mr. Davies laughed. "Have fun sweetheart. Give my regards to your handsome boy."

Iris laughed and walked away hopping excitedly. Mr. Davies could not give the Christmas bonus in advance. So, he had decided to give a bonus to all his staff today. Since Iris was leaving early, he gave her the bonus and the tips that she had earned so far. After an hour she changed her clothes, picked Shepherd’s Pie from Cafe for adding it to her Christmas Dinner, and left.

She thought it would be a good idea to pick a decent gift for Hugh since it was Christmas, and someone was coming over for dinner for the first time at her house. But she never had bought gifts for a man before. She did not know what they liked. She stood outside the Cafe wondering, where to go and how to go. Her Chevy would be a pain in her arse, and she would get late if she walked down to her house to pick the car.

She looked around still deciding what to do about the gift and Albert walked out. 

Albert was a short, slim guy with red curly hair. He was a teenager who went to Marlborough College during the day and worked in the Cafe after college. Full time on Holidays.

"Iris? You are still here?" He asked.

"Hey, Albert. Do you mind giving me some ideas about gifts for a man? And where to find them?" Iris asked.

"Yes. You know Noah's Gift Shop, right?"

She nodded. "Yes, it's about one kilometer from here."

"Yes. You will find pretty amazing gifts there. But if you ask me, a scarf is good for this season and totally goes with the winter outfits." He said while toying with keys in his hand.

"A scarf." Her eyes sparkled. "Albert, that's a brilliant idea. But I have left my car back at home and I don't have much time to walk down till there. What should I do?"

Albert showed her his scooter keys and flashed a smile. "I can take you there. I am on my break and I have to buy cigarettes from the gift shop."

"Cigarettes? Albert!" Iris scolded.

"Please don't tell anyone. I don't even smoke in this area. I smoke near the gift shop so that no one sees me."

"Bad boy." She scolded again. 

Albert chuckled. "I will quit someday. Now come, hop on."

Albert started his scooter and rode through the snow carefully. They reached the gift shop. Iris went in to look for the scarves and Albert stood outside smoking his cigarette. Albert was on a break, so Iris had to be quick. She looked through a few scarves, but nothing attracted her.

She went on the next aisle and her eyes fell on a red woolen scarf. She liked the color and imagined it around Hugh's neck. It would perfectly suit his sharp features.

Since she has been celebrating Christmas alone for years, she never had to shop for a dress. She had nothing beautiful to wear for dinner. So, she went to the ladies' section and searched for a dress.

Albert walked inside and called her. "Iris, did you find the scarf?"

"Yes. Do you mind helping me pick a dress for myself?" She asked while sliding the dresses that were hung on hangers on a steel pipe.

"For you? Umm... I'm not too sure but try going for a red if you want it for Christmas." He said.

She found a red dress. She touched the dress to her body and looked in the mirror. The dress ended just below her knees. It was plain with long sleeves but a brilliant scarlet color.

"What do you think?" She asked Albert while still facing the mirror.

Albert looked at her through the mirror and flicked his eyebrows. "I think it's beautiful. You should buy it. And my shift is almost over."

"Oh, dear! I am so sorry. I'll speak to Mr. Davies for you." She said and rushed to the counter.

"That won't be necessary Iris. You know I don't take him seriously anyway." Albert winked.

Iris rolled her big round eyes at him. Since Albert was a teenager, he never took scolding from anyone and Mr. Davies always had a tough time with him.

He wasn't punctual and Mr. Davies would always scold him in front of the other staff. But Albert would always back answer. Mr. Davies never even fired Albert because he needed money for his college fees.

Iris got the scarf wrapped in a red gift paper and left with Albert. It had started to snow again. He dropped her home