Eric sat in his usual café circling chef jobs in the newspaper.
The owner noticed and offered him work washing dishes. Eric said he already had a job.
The owner offered better hours.
Eric shook his head and pushed the paper across the table, with three adverts marked….
Eric ate breakfast at the same café every Tuesday because it stood beside his bus stop.
The coffee was good. The eggs required a firm knife.
One morning, he bought a newspaper and opened the jobs page.
While his toast cooled, he circled an advert for a chef.
Then another.
The owner, Pete, saw him through the serving hatch.
Looking for a change?
Definitely, Eric said.
Pete sat opposite him.
I might be able to help.
Eric looked pleased.
That’s good to hear.
Pete said he needed someone reliable in the kitchen.
Someone who turns up on time.
Very important, Eric said.
And knows what a decent breakfast should look like.
Essential.
Pete asked whether he had any kitchen experience.
Eric said he had eaten breakfast most mornings for sixty years.
Pete laughed.
I meant washing dishes.
Eric put down his pen.
I’ve already got a job.
Part time?
Full time.
Pete lowered his voice and offered flexible hours.
Eric said hours were not the problem.
Pete mentioned free meals.
Eric looked at his egg.
That may not help.
The waitress came over with fresh coffee.
Pete told her Eric was considering a change.
She looked at the circled adverts.
About time.
Pete assumed she meant retirement. He told Eric there was no shame in trying something new.
I agree, Eric said. The first few weeks might be difficult, but you’d soon get used to it.
Pete said he had been running the café for twelve years.
Exactly.
He studied the newspaper.
These are all chef jobs.
Yes.
Most of them pay rather well.
That’s why I’ve marked them.
Pete laughed again.
You can’t go from office work to running a kitchen overnight.
I’m not planning to.
Then why are you showing me these?
Eric folded the newspaper, put it beside Pete’s plate and pointed towards the serving hatch.
Give them to your cook. I want him to leave.
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