"I'll be leaving now, madam." Zaque called over to the bakery owner, making the old woman perk up from her position under the counter.
She was picking up coins that fell off because a rude customer decided that it was fun to do it.
"Oh, dear." Madam Mala said, backing away from the counter and peeking her head at the corner to look at her best worker. "You seem quite awfully early to leave this time, Zaque."
The mediator stopped at the door, a hand raising to his nape to rub the skin as he laughed nervously. "Yes, well, my mother-in-law wanted to spend time with us, so I won't be able to stay until closing time."
Madam Mala gasped and she scrambled to get off the floor. "Your mother-in-law? Why didn't you say so? Come, come, come! We still have a couple of donuts at the back!"
"Ah, no need, madam!" Zaque called, the sheepish look on his getting replaced with horror. "I can just bake at my house!"
