Marissa was just about coping on her own. Luckily the first hour wasn't too busy and Carrie came out from the kitchen to help clearing the tables, but as the morning progressed the restaurant was getting busier.

Camilla came in for a coffee about eleven. Marissa felt very rude not stopping for a chat after the fun they had all had at the picnic, but three more tables had just filled up. So she left Camilla with her newspaper and latte and hurried to the next customer.

She froze.

Marissa was surprised to find another person she recognised; the difficult customer from the Yacht Club. That was all she needed!

He looked up but clearly didn't recognise her.

"If I order the Tuna bake can I get a Frittata with it?" he asked looking up from his menu.

"A what?" asked Marissa. Her flustered mind hit a blank, she had no idea what a fri-tar-tar was.

"A Frittata!"

"I will have to check with the chef." said Marissa quickly. "I won't be moment."

She rushed into the kitchen.

"There is a gentleman wanting a fri-tar-tar with a tuna bake."

"I don't have time…" sighed Tom. "Tell him he can choose between fries, curly fries or a baked potato."

"Right, thanks." said Marissa, hurrying back.

Marissa dutifully told the customer his options. He scowled, and looked back down at the menu.

"How is the steak?"

"Good."

"You would say that." he retorted.

The man glanced down at the menu again.

"This chicken salad – it says 'famous dressing' what makes it so special."

"It's a secret recipe, but can certainly recommend it. It's the most popular item on the menu."

"Well then a shame I don't like salad." said the man patronisingly.

He starred at his menu for another long moment. Marissa noticed another two tables fill up.

"I'm not sure I like the sound of an avocado omelette." said the man with a sniff.

Feeling the pressure Marissa sighed. She had been running herself ragged all morning and now this man clearly seemed to be taking great pleasure in wasting her time.

"Shall a give you a moment more to look at the menu." Marissa asked, hoping if she gave him another five minutes he would finally know what he wanted to order.

"Are you rushing me? Is my custom not good enough for you or something." said the man, snapping unexpectedly.

"Of course not sir, but we are very short staffed this morning…"

"Don't think I haven't noticed… Fine I'll have the tuna bake with a baked potato… but I do not like being rushed."

"Of course sir." said Marissa, making a note of the order and turning to go.

"Wait, I haven't finished yet!" barked the man

Marissa turned back,

"Of course, I'm so sorry." stammered Marissa.

"Do you have Sprite?"

Marissa brain hit another wall; whether it was the stress or the amnesia she didn't know the cause. To Marissa he might as well have asked if she had any fairy dust – she had no idea what he wanted.

"I could check with the kitchen." she said slowly.

"Are you an idiot." exclaimed the increasingly angry customer. "It's a drink!"

"A cocktail?" Marissa asked, struggling to keep her voice steady. She grew aware of tears pricking at the corner of her eyes, she felt so overwhelmed.

"It's a soda." snapped the man. "You are completely useless – I want to speak to the manager!"

"I… I am the manager." stammered Marissa.

"You're the manager! No wonder this place is such a dump!"

"You need to watch your temper, Mister." Camilla appeared beside Marissa her eyes narrowing at the obnoxious customer. "What gives you the right to think you can insult people like that!"

"I'm the one who's been insulted!" said the man getting up from this chair, "This useless waitress… sorry 'manager'… can't even take an order! She that thick I doubt she could manage her way out of a paper bag!"

Camilla took a peak at Marissa notebook,

"Your order - Tuna bake, baked potato and a Sprite. Is there anything else?"

"No."

"Well then I suggest you learn to keep a civil tongue in your head. You could see how hard this poor woman is working, and you chose to make her day even harder. You sir need to lean some manners!"

The man scowled but the rest of the restaurant actually applauded.

"Why don't I save you the trouble." he snapped. "I'm leaving."

He turned back from the door.

"This place is a joke!" he yelled.

Marissa was stood there shell shocked. She should have been able to respond but had just found herself unable too.

Camilla put a hand on her back and sat her down at her table.

"Are you alright?"

"No." said Marissa with a sigh. "But thank you for the rescue."

"Hey, five years in my folks corner shop; you learn how to deal with difficult customers."

Marissa looked down and noticed the newspaper on the table. Camilla had been circling job ads.

"Are you looking for work?" she asked, looking up to Camilla with hopeful eyes. "Have you ever considered waitressing?"

…

Bianca stepped into Krystal's to find Camilla hurrying past with a tray of curly fries and Marissa behind the bar at the coffee machine.

"Hello, keeper of my heart." said Bianca leaning against the bar.

Marissa turned round at the sound of her voice. She looked completely distraught.

"What's happened?" gasped Bianca.

"This stupid coffee machine." groaned Marissa giving it a frustrated whack.

"Hey, you have to treat those things gently." said Bianca stepping behind the counter to put her arms around her girlfriend.

Marissa buried her head in Bianca's shoulder.

"It's going all wrong. There is no staff, the restaurant's full, and now I can't even remember how to make a cappuccino."

Bianca rubbed her hand up and down Marissa's back.

"Why don't you let me?"

"You know how it works?"

"Caleb had one of these things at Wildwind, that man is seriously into his coffee."

Bianca checked the coffee machine over and grabbed a mug.

"You're incredible." said Marissa as Bianca put a perfect cappuccino on the counter. "Now we need another three of those, two lattes and an espresso with a caramel shot."

"Coming right up." said Bianca turning back to the machine

"I wasn't meaning… you're here for lunch."

Bianca turned back to Marissa, and planted a soft kiss in her lips.

"If you need help I'm here. No question, no argument."

The grateful smile that spread across Marissa's lips was breath-taking.

"I love you."

Bianca kissed her once again.

"I love you more."

…

Marissa was taking an order from table five when the door crashed open and Opal dashed in.

She scanned the room wildly before catching Marissa staring at her surprised.

"I just saw Valerie at the Yacht Club – she's quit?" said Opal breathlessly.

"Yeah, and Greg has broken his arm."

"What? Well why didn't you call?"

"I didn't want to ruin your day off. I know how much you were looking forward to catching up with Erica!"

"Well I'm here now," said Opal taking off her jacket. "Where do you want me?"

Marissa licked her lips, she wasn't going to pass up any offer of help.

"Table eight are waiting to pay, and you might want to check with Tom about the ribs for table two."

"I'm on it." said Opal grabbing her apron from behind the counter. Looking up she was surprised to see Bianca there.

"I'm doing the coffee." Bianca explained with a grin before waving Camilla over to take away a macchiato and a vanilla latte.

"And who are you?" Opal asked the new arrival.

The young woman shook her hand.

"I'm Camilla." she said before quickly putting the coffees on her tray.

"Order up!" called Tom from the kitchen.

Opal looked around the busy restaurant, despite the odd staffing arrangement; Marissa seemed to have everything in hand.

She was suitably impressed.

…