Candice

“Order for Kenley.” Hank called out.

I winced as Kenley grabbed her order. While I knew that Hank having a good loud voice was great for helping the customers know when their food was ready, but him yelling right next to my ear was wearing my nerves down to nothing. I was flinching every time he stepped up beside me.

Shaking it off, I turned to the next person in line. “Welcome to Stella’s Bakery. What can I get for you?”

A woman dressed in a black power suit with an expression to match stepped up to the counter. She didn’t glance at the menu board or the pastry display. Her gaze remained locked on me and there wasn’t a smile to accompany it. I braced for her complaint. I gave her my best customer service smile and mustered up all the patience I had left.

Instead of ordering or complaining, she laid a business card down on the counter in front of me. “You have been called to serve your country and your crown. Call me when your shift is done.” The woman attempted a smile but it didn’t show in her eyes. Maybe she wasn’t used to using her smile muscles.

In seconds, the woman was out of line and walking out the door. For a second, I thought about running after her and demanding an explanation to such an odd phrase. However, with the line winding through the shop I couldn’t give myself any more time to think about the woman’s unusual announcement. There were other customers waiting who did want to order. Slipping the card off the counter, I shoved it into my work apron and got back to work.

“Welcome to Stella’s Bakery. What can I get for you?”

An old balding man smiled at me. “I don’t know.”

“Any favorite flavor or type of pastry?” I gave him a bright smile back. My secret favorite part of my job was helping people discover their favorite pastry.

“Lemon?” He said. “Do you have that here?”

“We do.” I nodded, pointing at the display case next to me. “We have lemon tartlets, creamy lemon mousse cups, chocolate covered lemon truffles, and powdered lemon drops.” I leaned over the counter. “Lemon is my favorite too.”

“Candice.” My boss called from the back room. “Your 5 minute break was due an hour ago. Take it now before I have to fire you for loving your job too much.”

I laughed. “I’ll get right on that.” Turning back to the old man. “I guess you are going to be my last customer before I have to go on break. Did any of those sound like something you want to try?”

“I’ll take one of each.” He smiled. “And a lemon tartlet for you to have on your break.”

“Aww thank you sir. I can’t. It’s policy.” I sighed. I rang up his order and handed him a bag full of his pastries. “Enjoy.”

Disappearing into the back room I rolled my shoulders and slumped back against the wall. Heading to the small closet-like break room I grabbed my phone and went out back into the alley. As far as alleys go, it was neat and clean and I loved the fresh air.

While checking my texts and skipping past the ones from my mother, I remembered the business card I had stashed in my apron. Pulling it out, I looked it over. Mai Branton. I hesitated at the phone number. She had basically demanded I call when my shift was over. It wasn’t over but I didn’t want to wait another two hours to figure out what was going on.

A second later I was calling.

“Hello Candice.” The voice was the woman who had handed me the card. “Your shift does not end until 3.”

“I’m on break. Who are you?” I kept my voice steady even though my hands were shaking.

“As it says on the card my name is Mai Branton. I am the royal advisor’s head of logistics.”

“Ok. Why are you talking to me?”

“There is a situation. And when going over our options your name came up.”

“My name? From who?”

There was a hesitation. “I wish we could have this meeting face to face but I could not arrange it. I shouldn’t say this before you agree to help but I think you have a right to know. However, if you do repeat any of what I am about to say you will end up in jail, at the very least. When reviewing our options your name didn’t come up, it was your picture. You match the description we need.”

“You need someone who looks like me?”

“Yes.”

My breathing caught and my chest constricted. “Am I going to be framed for something?”

Mai chuckled. “No. Something much more exciting. Countess De Launcey is missing and you fit her description well enough that with some heels and makeup you can pass for her.”

“Why not just find your countess?”

“We are trying. And in the meantime she has some high profile engagements that she can not miss. You won’t be making any decisions or changing laws. We just need time to locate her without hysteria over a missing noble.”

“So you want me to fill in for the Countess De Launcey?”

“Yes.” After a pause she continued. “You will be well compensated and arrangements will be made so that you will not get in trouble with your employer or school.”

I began to pace. “Do I have time to think about it?”

“Till the end of your shift. We will have to work through the night to make sure you are ready for the essential upcoming engagements.”

“Like what?”

“Luncheon with Prince Dalton.”

I dropped my phone. As I scrambled to pick it back up Hank popped the door open. “Is your break almost over? The line is piling up out there. Tonya’s shift just started and could really use your help.”

“Coming.” I shoved my phone into my apron and headed back inside.

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Come back next week for part 2 of Candice’s story!