With a Little Help Read Free Page A

more from habit than because she doubted Sophie, who was always meticulous. “I’m glad they didn’t book us to staff tonight’s affair. I’ll take these around in my car, you lock up and have an early night for once,” she said.
    Sophie shook her head. “And miss hearing what happened with your mother? No way. I’ll make the coffee while you’re gone.”
    Arms laden, Emma turned at the door. “You didn’t pack all the Bakewell tarts, did you?”
    Sophie gave her a smug smile. “I might have taken out three or four less than perfect ones. Can’t send out anything but our best work, can we?”
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    B Y THE TIME E MMA RETURNED fifteen minutes later, Sophie had the coffee made and the tarts plated up. Emma snapped a piece of paper in front of her friend. “The client paid in full on the spot. That should make the bank happy.”
    Sophie hitched a slender hip onto a stool at the counter. “Good for the bank. Now tell me about yourmother’s visit. Who’s she trying to fix you up with this time?”
    Emma affected an air of nonchalance. “What makes you think she’s trying to fix me up?”
    â€œSince the day we met in high school, that’s all she’s been doing. Who is it this time? A psychiatrist who can get to the bottom of your doctor phobia?”
    â€œI don’t have a doctor phobia.”
    â€œOh, no?” Sophie pushed her glasses to the end of her nose and mimed holding a pad and pen. “Tell me, Ms. Jarrett, how long have you hated your horse?”
    Emma snorted a mouthful of coffee. “I don’t have a horse, either.”
    â€œYou only think you don’t have a horse. Come lie on my couch and tell me all about zis problem. I’ll lie here beside you. Closeness helps break down zee inhibitions.”
    Laughing, Emma blotted her shirt front. “My mother doesn’t have a psychiatrist lined up for me, thank goodness. She wants us to cater a birthday bash for Nathan Hale.”
    Sophie pressed a fist against her chest. “The heart surgeon? According to She Magazine, he’s the sexiest man in medicine. Tell me you said yes.”
    Emma gestured around the congested kitchen. “Look at this place. How can we take on a sit-down dinner for fifty or more?”
    â€œCharge like a wounded bull, then hire waiters. Some of my study group might help out. They alwaysneed cash. Even if his party is on a class night, I can do some of the prep work with you and put in a couple of hours at the venue before going to school.”
    Sophie was studying for a postgraduate diploma in nutrition and Emma had agreed to work around her commitments, knowing Sophie would be free of them in another few months. Her diploma, which was focused on food services management, would widen the range of services they could offer. Emma bit into a tart. “The upfront expenses will be a stretch. I know they’ll be billed back to him, but we’ll have to carry the costs till then. The sexiest man in medicine won’t settle for anything but the best.”
    â€œAncient Chinese wisdom says Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
    Sophie liked to spout Confucian wisdom whenever possible. Her grandparents had emigrated from Hong Kong to Australia, where their baby girl had grown up and married an Australian sailor, Sophie’s dad. “According to you, the only wisdom is ancient Chinese,” Emma teased.
    â€œNot at all. There are wise Australian sayings like ‘she’ll be right’ and ‘no worries.’”
    â€œTrue.”
    â€œTranslated from the original Chinese,” Sophie added with a wicked grin.
    â€œNo doubt. Was there anything you guys didn’t invent?”
    â€œYou’re just jealous.” Sophie leaned forward onher stool. “Confucius would say It’s better to try and fail than not to try at all.”
    Emma laughed. “Confucius