I always tell the crew on the other cart to come to me at the front for hot water and back up stock until the carts in the mid cabin are closer together. Works like a dream. 3 & 5's are always suprised when I tell them to come to me and not the no.2. You should suggest it to your no. 1 next time. Unless its me, then thats what I will be doing anyway. Don't you just love team work! lol
P.S - Another trick is to sling a tray of pringles in the locker above row 31. Then the no. 4 can pop up there and help themselves without disturbing the no.2. Obviously once the service is finished the tray of pringles/snacks should be returned to the galley, to prevent pax helping themselves to some freebies!! How rude! lol