Chapter 43 Tina Hendrix
William hung up the phone, groggily got out of bed, and washed up before checking the message Gareth had sent him on his phone.
"100457 Baker Street," he read. Is there such a number? William was puzzled but figured he'd take a taxi since he'd be drinking at the bar anyway. The driver would surely know.
After getting dressed, William drove to his mother Lena's café. He hadn't visited since Lena took over the café, and now seemed like a good time to check it out.
He found the Devonshire Café on Oxford Street, parked his car, and walked in.
"Welcome!" A pretty waitress greeted him as he entered. William smiled and nodded at her, then followed her to a window seat.
He surveyed his mother's new café. It had an English charm with round wooden chairs, small round tables, large glass windows, and two rows of red sofas along the walls. The overall tone was warm and inviting.
William was quite pleased. He said to the waitress, "A latte, please. Thank you."
"Of course, Mr. Devonshire. Should I let Mrs. Devonshire know you're here?" The waitress spoke softly, with an air of "please ask me out" that made William feel a bit tempted.
The girl was indeed very beautiful, looking around sixteen or seventeen, with flowing blonde hair, big eyes, a high nose, and pink lipstick on her thin lips. Her face was slightly flushed, exuding youthful energy.
But this was Lena's café, and William dared not let Lena find out he was flirting with her waitress.
With an apologetic look, William smiled and said, "If Lena isn't too busy, please let her know. Thank you."
"Certainly, Mr. Devonshire. And my name is Tina. I get off at five, Mr. Devonshire." Tina winked at William, swaying her hips as she walked to the service counter. As she walked, she turned halfway to blow him a kiss.
William couldn't help but laugh. Having a pretty girl show interest in him made him feel great.
Suddenly, William noticed his mother Lena appearing in his sight. Lena glared at both William and Tina. Tina, trying to be cautious, said to Lena, "Mrs. Devonshire, William just ordered a latte. I'll go get his coffee. Is there anything else you need?"
Lena glared at Tina, "No, just go get William's coffee."
"Yes, ma'am." Tina hurried off to get the coffee.
Lena sat down at William's table, gave him a look, and said, "Don't get any ideas about Tina. She's your Aunt Mary's daughter. You met her when you were kids. Remember when you broke Tina's doll?"
William thought for a moment and said, "Aunt Mary, the one who's around 200 pounds?"
Lena rolled her eyes, "Do you have to put it that way?"
William looked at the approaching Tina, holding his coffee, and couldn't believe it. This was the same little Tina who cried for an hour when he broke her doll?
"Mr. Devonshire, here's your coffee." Tina placed the latte in front of William with a curtsy, then stood up and winked at him, her face blushing.
"Tina, you can just call me William. Sorry I didn't recognize you. How many years has it been since we last saw each other?" William smiled at Tina.
Tina, delighted that William remembered her, covered her mouth in surprise. Her big eyes were moist as she said, "It's been over ten years, I think. We haven't seen each other since you moved to London with Grandpa Henry. William, I still remember how you used to take me to play in the castle and broke my favorite doll." She scrunched her nose adorably as she said this.
Lena, watching the two flirt in front of her, became furious, "William, what are you doing here? Don't you have anything better to do? Finish your coffee and get out. I have work to do and don't have time for you."
"Tina, we have customers. Go serve them," Lena ordered Tina sternly.
"Yes, ma'am." Tina turned to serve other customers, but not before pouting at William and making a phone gesture.
William discreetly nodded at her. Seeing this, Tina happily winked at William before going to serve other guests.
"Mom, your coffee is really good. I didn't know you made such excellent coffee. I'll have to come here more often," William said, trying to change the subject.
"No, you won't. I know what you're up to. I warn you, if you try to flirt with Tina, Aunt Mary will come after you."
Thinking of Aunt Mary's 200-pound figure made William shudder. He quickly asked, "Why is Tina in London, and why is she working here, Mom?"
William had been traumatized by Aunt Mary as a child. Every time he thought of being hugged by that 200-pound, 5-foot-2 woman, he got chills.
"Since you have money now, I thought I'd learn more about our family castle. I called your Aunt Mary to inquire, and Tina found out and insisted on coming to London to see me. Hmph, she came to see you, not me. No wonder she insisted on working here, even skipping school. It was all to see you. I need to send her back to Oxford."
"Mom, Tina's only been here a few days. Sending her back so soon isn't right. After all, Aunt Mary's family and ours have been close for generations. When we buy back the castle, we'll need Uncle David and Aunt Mary's help to look after it since we won't be living there permanently."
"Fine, Tina can stay in London for a few more days, but then she's going back. And I don't want to see you here during that time, understand? William Devonshire," Lena warned in a low voice.
"Yes, Mom, whatever you say," William quickly agreed.
Seeing him agree, Lena didn't say more and got up to tend to her work.
William, now alone, drank his latte and checked his watch. It was almost noon. He called a waitress and ordered lunch. About ten minutes later, Tina brought his lunch. Because it was busy, she didn't have much time to talk, only saying, "William, today's bread is good. Be sure to try it," before hurrying to other tables.
When William picked up the bread, he found a long note underneath with a phone number on it. He smiled and pocketed the note.
From a distance, Tina saw William put the note in his pocket. She sweetly smiled at him and pouted playfully when he looked her way, looking incredibly cute.
After finishing his lunch and another cup of coffee, William got up to pay. As he left, he gestured to Tina that he'd call. Tina nodded in response.
William walked out of the café and drove away.
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