"Yes, yes, Miss Lisa," Thomas replied quickly. "My name is Thomas. I'm managing this restaurant."
He was genuinely impressed. This girl had trusted him with her secret on their first meeting. That alone spoke volumes about her character.
"There's one more thing," Mary continued. "I'll need you to help arrange staff housing. Find some places with decent conditions."
Thomas was surprised. Renting rooms specifically for staff wasn't common. Most workers squeezed into shared dorms or rented cramped spaces on their own.
"Yes, Miss. I'll arrange it," he said promptly. "How many rooms do you need?"
Mary thought for a moment. "Three rooms for now. The environment must be good. At the very least, it shouldn't be overcrowded. Everyone living there will be women."
Thomas nodded, already planning where to look.
Mary glanced at the busy shop again. "Do you have enough money? If not, I can give you more."
