A Lunch for Eight

On Friday afternoon, Mia went to her aunt Rosa’s café. Her first day of work there was Saturday. It was her first job, and she was a little nervous. Rosa showed her the kitchen and the small garden behind the café.

Then the phone rang. Rosa answered it and wrote in her booking book. “Eight people, tomorrow at one o’clock,” she said. “Yes, Mr Hill. We can put a table in the garden.” Mia looked outside. There were flowers beside the wall.

After the call, Rosa explained the booking. “It’s a birthday lunch for Mr Hill’s mother. She worked in this café when she was young. Now she lives in another town, but she wants to come back for her birthday.”

“What are we going to cook?” Mia asked. “Vegetable soup and fresh bread,” Rosa said. “Mr Hill is going to get a chocolate cake from Ben’s bakery.” Mia took a pen. “I can write the shopping list,” she said. Rosa smiled and gave her some paper.

Mia wrote down the vegetables and bread. Then she checked the booking: eight people, Saturday, one o’clock. Her brother Leo wanted to help too. Before she left, she sent him a message: “Meet me at the market at nine. We have a birthday lunch to prepare!”