‘I can handle it’, ‘No really, I’m ok, honestly’, ‘Don’t
worry, thanks, I have it covered’. Any
and all of these phrases are likely to be the reply you receive if you commit
the heinous crime of offering me help! I
like to think of it as being hard working and independent, but the truth of it
is that I am a stubborn control freak!
But even the extremely uptight must learn their lessons, as I did last
Friday.
To put my level of neurosis into perspective, a very dear
friend of mine, Chris, who did teacher training with me, used to call me Ally
McBeal and it certainly wasn’t due to my waist size. Having been my friend and worked with me for
a while now, Renee knows that there is little point trying to convince me to
accept help when I have set my mind to an independent, crazy crusade. Such was the case on Friday morning. Jenai’s lovely littlun was poorly, so she was
unable to join us. The week before
having been quiet, I decided that one person in the dining room was ample. Oh how wrong I was!
The lure of delicious steak or halloumi fajitas in a cosy
neighbourhood café on a chilly day brought us a wonderful crowd of lovely
customers. Opps. No amount of stubborn independence was going
to get everyone served in way they each deserved. I began to feel regret and nausea crashing in
tsunami sized waves in my stomach. Renee
and I have put so much into Filling the Gap N15 and here was I about to ruin us
by being too pig-headed to accept help. We
have both always been desperate for everyone to leave the café feeling that
they have had positive, enjoyable experience.
My choice put this in danger; a long wait with a hungry child isn’t
anyone’s idea of fun. Fortunately,
Renee’s superwoman powers never take a day off.
Unbeknownst to be she had lined her fabulous mum and sister, Josie and
Louise, to help out in the dining room.
They more than stepped up and saved that day. Renee’s is truly a family full of wonder
women and I am eternally grateful to them all; for patience, planning and
provision.
So, like a child given just enough rope to begin panicking,
but saved from disaster by those who are wiser, more mature and not necessarily
older, I have learned my lesson. It was
a successful service and we completely sold out of food.
We will have to make more of whatever is on the menu this
week, will let you know when we hear what wonders Fareshare have in store for
us.
On Friday November 2nd,
Filling the Gap N15 will be closed for half term hols. We’ll be back the following Friday and gearing
up for the opening party.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteCheap Eats In London Map,
maybe of use to your customers.
http://bit.ly/Hu3ToS
Is your N15 listing OK ?
Phil