Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
Tom was an adequate head chef, Marianne decided after two days of shadowing him. His menus were varied, if not adventurous, and he was well-liked by his team.
Marianne suspected she would have to work hard to gain the same level of loyalty from her staff, but she’d lead them to be better chefs in the long run.
She followed him around the kitchen as he finished dishes and served them to the hatch. She’d have had her chefs do most of that, but she remembered this was a different setup. While she had fewer team members, she was expected to deliver a much higher volume of covers. She really would be adding garnishes herself.
She reminded herself this was her decision and took a slow breath.
“Is everything to your liking, Chef?”
“Yes, you run an efficient kitchen. Well done, Tom.”
He blushed and Marianne felt a warmth that her approval still meant something within the industry.
“I’ll be sorry to leave. I’ve got an interview for the job at Spencer’s next week.”
Marianne was impressed with his ambition. She wondered if he was ready for that level of responsibility. “I saw they were advertising for a head chef. It’s a good restaurant.” Despite being resolute she wasn’t returning to her hometown just yet, she had been looking at the job vacancies.
Tom appeared to be waiting for something.
“I’m sure you’ll impress them. Good luck with the interview.”
“Thanks. It’s a sudden change to move in with Izzy, but I think we’ll make it work if I can get a job.”
“Let me know if you need any advice beforehand.” She hoped he wouldn’t take her up on the offer. The only good piece of advice she could think of was don’t fall in love with someone and trust them with your future, but she didn’t think that was what Tom wanted to hear right now.
The day dragged as she followed Tom around, making sure she paid enough attention that she wouldn’t get caught out when he was gone, but mostly making mental notes about all the things she would change when she took over.
Tierney stuck her head through the kitchen door mid-morning. “How are you getting on?”
“All very clear so far. Tom’s handover is comprehensive.”
Tierney screwed her nose up as if she was trying to decide if Marianne was being sarcastic or not. These people didn’t know her well at all. Maybe that was a good thing.
“Glad to hear it. Have a good rest of your day.”
Marianne hadn’t seen either of her bosses since. Then Kasia had summoned her to her office before dinner service.
“What are your first impressions?”
How honest did Kasia want her to be? The diplomatic route was probably best. “Tom has been running a good kitchen. Taking over will be easy.”
“But?” Kasia raised her eyebrows.
“I think we could be more ambitious. The menus could do with an immediate makeover, and we could look at bigger changes long term.” She couldn’t help herself.
Kasia steepled her fingers. “This is a month’s trial. Maybe you could save the work to get us a Michelin star until you’re confirmed in post?”
Marianne blinked in disbelief. Who did this hotel manager think she was?
“Why would you take me on and not want to benefit from my insight?” She wanted to throw something. Instead, she reached under the desk and pulled the rubber band on her wrist as hard as she could. She barely flinched at the impact.
“Because I don’t want you coming in and causing disruption to my restaurant and then moving on to leave me to sort out the mess.” Kasia sat back. “Can you just do the basics for a while, and we’ll take it from there?”
“And how am I meant to stay motivated?”
“We discussed this, and you said you would toe the line. You’ve been here…” she checked her watch, “not even two full days, and you’re already not sticking to the remit.”
Marianne spread her arms. “I haven’t done anything. You brought me in here to ask me what I thought, and I was honest with you.”
“Then maybe rein in the honesty awhile until you’re settled.”
“Fine. Everything is perfect in the kitchen. It’s a pleasure to work there.” She stood. “Can I go back to work now?”
Kasia checked her watch again. “No, your shift is over. Go and spend some time with Denny, and make sure you’ve got childcare for tomorrow’s evening service.”
Marianne gritted her teeth and stood. “Thanks.”
“Marianne.” Kasia called her as she opened the door. She turned.
“I’m not trying to give you a hard time. I just want to manage your expectations.”
She managed a tight nod and closed the door quietly behind her. If nothing else, this job would be good for her self-restraint. She pulled at her band again and again until the pain distracted her.
She went and changed out of her whites and threw them into the laundry bin with force and marched out of the hotel.
“Marianne.” She swung around and saw Joey leading Denny across the car park. Denny saw her and broke away from Joey with a shriek, running toward her with his little arms stretched. All the stress of the day drained out of her the moment she caught him up in her arms and pulled him tight. She swung him around, burying her face in his hair so she could enjoy the scent that was pure Denny. The tears started to flow and soak his hair, but she couldn’t help herself.
“Hey.” The warm strength of Joey’s arm around her waist was a welcome support. “I thought you’d want me to pick him up from Bridie’s so you could see him as soon as you finished. Did you need a few minutes?”
Marianne hid her face in Denny’s curls, but she couldn’t bear to pull away from Joey’s reassuring grip. She shook her head. “I’m fine.”
She took a few long breaths and pulled back from Denny. He took her head in his little hands and kissed her, which nearly set her off again. She didn’t know what was wrong with her today. This new job was so unchallenging she could do it in her sleep. Why did she feel so vulnerable?
Joey took their hand away and pulled out a tissue. They watched her, eyebrows pulled together over their sea-blue eyes. She took the tissue gratefully and hitched Denny onto her hip while she wiped her eyes.
“Thank you once again. How do you always know when to come to my rescue?”
Joey’s mouth dropped a little open. “Uh…instinct?”
She smiled and they grinned back as if they were pleased it was the right answer.
“Well, whatever it is, I’m glad you’re in my life—and Denny’s—Joey.”
“Denny, Joey?” Denny hugged her neck tight.
“Good boy, that’s right. Denny and Joey and Mama.” She sat him back and pointed to each of them as she said their names.
Denny smiled but said nothing.
“Damn it.”
“He’ll say it soon when you least expect it.” Joey ruffled his curls.
Marianne realized they were still standing on the lawn in full view of the hotel. “Will you come back to the cottage?” She didn’t try to hide how much she wanted that to happen.
“Yeah, I’d like that. Have you eaten?”
“No, I was supposed to bring back food from the kitchen, but I left in a bit of a strop.”
When Joey stopped, she turned to see what was wrong.
“It was your first day, Mari. How did you leave on bad terms?”
“Don’t be dramatic.” She set Denny to the ground now they were close to the cottage. “Kasia was being a bitch and we disagreed about my approach. It’s fine.”
Joey stared. “Kasia isn’t a bitch; she’s my best friend. If she’s worried about something she has good reason.”
“Her reason is she doesn’t trust me and wants to make all the decisions.” She turned and pulled Joey by the hand. “Come and eat with us. I’ll pull something together in no time.” She smiled her most dazzling smile and Joey visibly melted under its warmth.
“Okay, but please be nice to Kasia. She’s one of the good guys.”
They sat at the table, Joey picking at the stir fry Marianne had prepared with a faraway look in their eyes.
“Do you not like it?” It hadn’t occurred to her Joey might not enjoy what she’d cooked.
Joey looked up and a faint smile played on their lips. “Of course, I do. It’s delicious.” They filled their fork and took a mouthful, chewing slowly.
“Lishus.” Denny’s attempt to mimic Joey ended with his fork catapulting food across the table. Marianne cleaned it up quickly while Joey showed Denny how to hold his fork.
“What’s on your mind, then?” She wanted to understand Joey better, but they seemed to keep so much internalized.
Joey turned from Denny and finished chewing. “I need to make some decisions about my business, and I’m not happy with the choices I seem to have before me.”
Marianne resisted the urge to take their hand. “Can I help? You’ve done so much to help me, and I know I’m responsible for the predicament you’re in now.”
Joey blinked. “Oh no, you working at the Waterside is a massive boost for my biggest customer.” They looked away. “It’s just not enough.”
“To make up for the loss of Batiya’s business. I know and I’m sorry.”
Joey leaned across the table. “Please don’t keep blaming yourself. I should’ve widened my customer base years ago but…I didn’t. This is on me.”
Marianne stood, wanting to be sitting more comfortably. “I’ll clear the table. You get Denny settled with his toys and we’ll talk through your options.”
She dumped the plates in the kitchen, not wanting to miss this opportunity to help Joey, and returned to find Joey and Denny flicking through a picture book on the floor.
“Come up here.” She sat on the couch and patted the seat next to her. “Denny will be fine for a few minutes.”
Joey hauled themself from the floor and sat.
“So, what are your options?” She turned in her seat.
Joey shrugged. “I need to sell double what I am presently to make even a small profit. I can start approaching restaurants further afield, maybe in County Clare. But that means longer delivery routes, which takes a lot of time out of my day.”
Marianne nodded. “You’ve got a good reputation, and I’ve got a few contacts I can tap up. What else?”
Joey ran a hand through their hair. “By far the easiest option is to sell to the wholesaler the Portrinn fishers use. I’d just need to get it to the harbor, and they’d take it off my hands. Profit margins are minimal, though, so I’d have to catch a lot more.”
“But that’s not your kind of fishing, is it? You like to take the minimal catch and make sure it’s in perfect condition.”
“That’s not even the worst of it.” Joey sighed. “Those trucks are headed for France or Spain. My lobsters could be in tanks for weeks. At least I wouldn’t need to worry about my reputation. My catch will just become part of a generic load. No one will ever know they’re eating O’Hara lobsters.”
Marianne wanted to close the space between them and kiss the frown from their face. Hell, where were these thoughts coming from? Concentrate on business advice!
“Are there any other options?”
A tentative smile lit up Joey’s face. “There’s one. You know I have the few oyster trestles in the bay?”
“I do indeed. I’m hoping to try some soon.” Marianne had no doubt the oysters grown in the pristine waters of Inishderry would be among the best she’d ever tasted.
“Well, I was thinking of increasing production by 400%. I can get a grant and a business loan to help buy the new equipment and the seed. Then it’s a lot of work for no return for a couple of years before they reach market size, but I think I can make it work.” Their hopeful expression warmed Marianne’s heart. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea, Joey. There’s such a demand for oysters, and yours will be the best. It addresses some of your sustainability concerns, and you can get a year-round market if you look at online sales.” She wanted to hug them. “I think you should go for it. I’ll help in any way I can while I’m…”
She didn’t want to say it. While she was around. Because she didn’t want to think of the time when she’d inevitably have to leave the comfort of this little island.
Joey’s smile wavered a little. “Thank you for your support. Now I just need to write a business plan, get the funds in place, and increase my knowledge of oyster farming.”
“You can do it! I know of an amazing oyster farm in France that runs courses.”
Joey laughed dryly. “Thanks. The government runs an online course. I’ll make do with that for now.”
Marianne admonished herself for her insensitivity. Of course, Joey couldn’t—and wouldn’t—take themself off for six weeks on an elite aquaculture course. Before she could apologize, Denny toddled over, rubbing his eyes. She lifted him into her lap. “I’d better get this little lad to bed. Make yourself comfortable.”
When she returned, she found a clean kitchen but no sign of Joey. She looked outside and found Joey asleep on the couch on the deck, their long legs slung up on the railing.
She sat down alongside them and took a long breath, releasing the frustrations of the day. This had been a much shorter shift than she was used to, and she’d need to get back into the routine of juggling quality time with Denny and the demands of her kitchen. But talking through Joey’s plans had been a welcome distraction, and she’d enjoyed sharing their optimism for the future. Being around Joey calmed her.
She studied their face in the receding light. Straight golden-brown hair fell back from their face, revealing fine cheekbones. Their nose was strong but even, and their wide jaw made her want to run her finger along the smooth skin.
There was that train of thought again. There were some strong and unexpected feelings floating around the more time she spent with Joey. Unexpected, but not entirely unwelcome.
She lay back and stared up at the darkening sky as the stars began to show themselves. She picked out the constellations she was familiar with and wondered how it would feel to go back to the city where it was always too bright to see the stars.
“I like the North Star.” Joey’s low voice made her jump. They were so close their breath tickled her cheek. She tilted her head to look into their eyes, endless and unfathomable in the low light.
“Show me.”
They pointed up at the starry sky, but their gaze didn’t leave Marianne’s and she was equally transfixed. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to lean across the minimal space and place her lips on Joey’s. For a split second, they responded, and the sensation was exquisite. Joey’s lips were the most perfect thing she’d ever tasted. Then Joey recoiled so violently they nearly fell off the couch.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t—" They jumped up and stood at the rail, facing out to the dark sea.
“Joey, it’s okay. You didn’t do anything.” She got out of her seat and stood next to them, but they didn’t turn, and she couldn’t make out their expression in the dark.
She pulled them by the elbow. “Talk to me. It’s all fine, what’s wrong?”
“I shouldn’t have done that.” Joey’s voice was so strained it was almost a groan.
“ You didn’t do anything, we did. And it was nice, so no harm done.” She kept her own reaction to what had just happened wrapped up tight to unpick later, when she was alone.
When Joey turned, their eyes shone. She thought they were going to speak, but they just stared.
She slid her hand up their arm and her body reacted to the lines of tense muscle she discovered under the thick cotton. Joey gently loosened her grip with their free hand, ran a rough thumb across her knuckles, then released it. They leaned in and Marianne tipped her head, instinctively wanting more.
Joey touched their lips to her forehead and stepped back. “Good luck with your first full shift. Try not to clash with Kasia. You’ll love her when you get to know her better.” They grabbed their coat from the back of the chair and stepped off the deck into darkness.
Marianne dropped into the chair, her legs weak. What had just happened? Joey had been this wonderful presence in her life for the last couple of weeks, but she hadn’t realized this was growing in her. Where had it come from, and where could it possibly go? Her time here was temporary, and she was still very much married, even if that union had been broken beyond repair.
She pulled her feet up onto the chair, wrapped her arms around her legs, then rested her chin on her knees. Taking over the kitchen at the Waterside this weekend would force her to focus fully on work. Maybe that’s where this connection with Joey had developed. She’d never had so much spare time in her life.
Well, that would change now; she didn’t have time for exploring unexpected feelings with unlikely people. She would let work consume her, as she always did.