"- And then we all muck in for the opening, and shutting up shop of an evening. It's a very simple system, really. Sit ins get a number. Takeaways, you take their name to call out and write it on the cup. Some folks bring their own flaggons and water-skins, mind. Watch how you fill those up." Mrs Cosie explains on his first proper full day in her lilting voice. "Some can be leaky. And there's this one lad I know who has a bottomless enchantment on his cup and thinks it's hilarious to ask for it to be filled to the top."

Then later on would add things like. "Now, Like I said there's normally two people here behind the counter. Normally. Three if it's busy or the holidays. One on the till and the cake stand, and one on drink making. One person can do both if we're very very very quiet. though I feel more comfortable with two about, you know?"

Or "You have to watch that boiler, the tap drips sometimes. I've asked a plumber to come look at it but I don't want you scolding your hands now."

And things like, "oh careful carrying that love! You'll do yourself a mischief trying to take too many at once."

"Mrs Cosie prefers it you'd keep stones of far speech out in your locker too while you're working, if that's alright? or at least set to silent. You can check them in your breaks." Flo told him on his second day. "Just don't be using it in front of customers."

"- And then give them their change. Oh and if the till jams, just slap it in this spot here." Dale had said on his third, giving a good thwack. The till sprang open as demonstrated.

"Just don't stand too close to it, dearie. It will get you." Mrs Cosie had added as she busseled past to add more fruit scones to the display of cakes.

She and the other workers showed him the ropes. How to ask if someone's staying or takeaway. and giving order numbers on little stands to those sitting in. How to wait tables. How to use the till and give change, take names and orders without making anyone seem rushed or taking too long. All that. No one had needed to show him how to make hearts with the milk, though. Taako's been teaching him that since he was old enough for Lup to teach Angus how to steam the milk himself with a spell.

Mrs Cosie was right though. He picks it all up in no time.

The job's fast and sometimes stressful during the busy shifts. And then it's ridiculously quiet at other times. Repetitive too, and there's always something needed doing or recleaning. Some whinging about guests or colleagues or the day here and there as with any job.

But it's easy for the most part. And his hours work well with his studies at the Academy of Arcane Sciences, with still plenty of free time to spare. Mrs Cosie is a very good boss when it comes to understanding how busy life and school can be. Angus, as he does with most things, worked hard and with pride in his job. Even on the days where he's just cup collecting and wiping down tables. The other employees are friendly on the whole. He makes new friends. And Mrs Cosie finds him quote 'a delight'. All is well.

In fact Angus had been working most days at the Old Mill undetected for nearly two and a half months; before the other shoe drops…