Chapter 19
NINETEEN
Queen Maedbh was nowhere to be seen as Marianne walked down to the quay. She was on shift later, so this would be a long day, but it was worth it to get some social media content. She’d started posting snippets of her new island life and had been getting good engagement from her fan base, most of whom seemed happy she was back online.
It was a bright morning, and she shielded her eyes to look out beyond the lighthouse, but there was no sign of Joey. She wondered if she’d pressured them too much into helping. They hadn’t seemed keen, which she didn’t understand as they were a natural on camera once they relaxed. She knew she was a little biased when it came to Joey; she enjoyed watching and listening to them so much she assumed everyone else did, too. But the comments on her previous video with them had shown that to be true. There was a real thirst for insights into the lifestyle of the reclusive fisher.
She heard the engine before she spotted the white hull of Joey’s boat clearing the lighthouse rocks. By the time they moored at the quay, she was waiting on the steps for them.
“Sorry, I had engine trouble. Maedbh’s usually so reliable.”
They were red in the face with a smudge of what looked like oil smeared across one cheekbone. Marianne wanted to wipe it clean, but resisted, not wanting to add to Joey’s agitation.
“It’s okay. I appreciate you sparing me any time.”
Joey reached out a hand and she took it, feeling safe as she stepped down onto the boat. Joey took her bag and stowed it in the wheelhouse. They lifted the top of a bench and pulled out a folded turquoise coat. “I’ve got these new waterproof coats for the shellfish safaris. Help yourself if you want one.” They looked her up and down. “You may not want to spoil your look, though.” They flashed their white teeth.
“And what look is that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Like you’ve made an effort.” They looked away.
Marianne looked down at her carefully chosen dungarees and sweater. Practical on the surface, she’d styled them in the mirror before she left, ensuring she had managed the right combination of workwear and attractiveness.
She laughed. “They’re just some old things I threw on.”
Joey looked up from coiling a rope and grinned again. Spending time with them was effortless. Like they understood how she ticked.
“So, what’s the plan today?” She pulled out her phone and the gimbal stabilizer that would keep her filming steady in the wind and waves.
“You said you wanted to film all the different catches. Today we’ll be pulling up langoustines, or as we call them in Ireland, Dublin Bay prawns.”
Marianne set up her equipment. “Could you do that once more for the camera?” When she gave Joey her most winning smile, they rolled their eyes.
“This is your one and only second take. You promised.”
“I know. I’m on it now.”
She kept the phone rolling most of the morning. Joey hauled in a good catch, and she enjoyed watching them work. They were in their element on the boat and their steady competence was very attractive, as were their strong hands working the equipment. She’d had to drag herself back to reality a couple of times. She was pleased with the candid footage she’d shot interspersed with her own observations about what made good quality ingredients.
“If I don’t get you back soon, you’ll be late for your shift.”
Joey’s comment came as a surprise and Marianne realized it was lunchtime already. “And you have deliveries. I’m holding you back. I’m sorry.”
“You’re not. I’ve enjoyed myself.” They let out the throttle and steered the boat around the island. “Apart from the bits to camera, obviously.”
“You’re such a natural on screen. You’ll see, the food-loving public will adore you.”
She watched in delight as Joey’s ruddy cheeks took the color up a notch.
“I am not someone people refer to as adorable. Ever.”
Marianne’s chuckle blew away on the wind. “Well, I think you are. And I’m going to tell everyone I meet.”
Joey looked up from lining up their route to the entrance to the harbor. “They’ll think you’ve lost your mind.” A smile broke across their face. “Thank you for saying it, anyway.”
Marianne acknowledged how much she would love to wrap her arms around them now. Then she pushed away the thought. Maybe, one day, when she’d put her disastrous marriage behind her, her career was back on track and Denny was a happy, well-adjusted child, she might consider looking for companionship, but those days were a long way off and what she needed now was to get her life together.
“Well, thanks for your time today. I do appreciate it, even if I ask a lot.”
Joey bypassed the stone quay and headed for the smaller wooden dock below the hotel. “You can pay me back by helping take the catch up to the kitchen.”
Marianne continued to film over Joey’s shoulder as they maneuvered the boat alongside the dock. She would have liked to get footage as Joey unloaded the catch, but she couldn’t refuse to help.
As Joey jumped onto the wooden platform to secure the boat, Tierney appeared on the path from the hotel, pushing the empty trolley Joey used for their catch.
“I was allowed to bring it down, but I’m under strict instruction not to help in any other way.”
Joey took the trolley. “Thanks. You could do some filming for Mari if you want?”
Marianne turned from packing up her kit. Perfect . Joey was the most thoughtful person. Tierney would jump at the chance to get behind a camera.
“Yeah sure, that’d be fun. I’ll do some filming in the kitchen later, if you want?” Tierney took the phone.
Marianne had been worried about how much she would get away with in the kitchen. She should’ve negotiated time for social media in her contract with Kasia, but she’d just been grateful she could focus on cooking for a while longer. But if Tierney was helping out that might soften the way for her.
“That would be amazing, if you don’t mind?”
“Of course not. We’ll collaborate on the posts, and it’ll do us all good.”
Tierney filmed as Joey unloaded the catch, and Marianne scrambled to help. Back inside the hotel, she guided them into the cold storage area, and they placed the storage trays inside.
“Thanks again for your time, Joey.” Marianne ignored her disappointment at their time together coming to an end.
“Come and eat with us tonight.” Tierney handed the phone back to Marianne and followed Joey back outside.
“Are you two going to film me eating?” Joey waved Marianne a goodbye as they left.
She heard Tierney say, “Of course not. Well, maybe a little,” before their voices faded in the distance.
She straightened her shoulders and turned to the staff area to change for work. She’d had her fun, now she would give work her full concentration.
“Okay, team.” She clapped her hands together, but her staff had all turned at the sound of her voice. “We have enough langoustines for a pasta special as well as the grilled dish. Sian and Davy, you’re on those.”
“Yes, Chef,” they replied in unison.
“And Connor, as well as the preorders, there’s half a dozen lobster I wasn’t expecting. Let’s get them in the holding tank and get Thermidor on the specials. I don’t like them to be left in the tank for too long, so let’s make it something special.”
“I’m on it, Chef.” Connor swung on his heels. He would make a good head chef one day when he’d built his confidence. He was terrified of Kasia, and a chef couldn’t afford to be dominated by front of house management.
She busied herself with the management tasks of the kitchen and regularly checked on progress of the dishes, but she wondered if Tierney would be as good as her word. As if sensing her cue, Tierney appeared at the kitchen door. “Have you got a minute?”
That didn’t sound promising. She should have got Kasia on board before involving Tierney. “Yeah, sure.” She might as well get the telling off over with.
“It’s all good.” Tierney led the way across the restaurant toward Kasia’s office. “We just need to explain that we’ve got a strategy.”
“Have we?” Marianne was currently feeling very un-strategic in every part of her life and wasn’t in the mood to humor Kasia.
Tierney winked over her shoulder. “Think on your feet.”
“Marianne. Thanks for sparing a few minutes.” Kasia was sitting at her desk with her hands steepled. “Please sit down.”
Marianne perched on a chair and Tierney leaned on the door, rubbing her hand unconsciously across her growing belly.
“Tierney was just telling me you two are planning some joint social media content.”
“Yes, I’m sorry, I should have mentioned it. It was your comment recently about my following that spurred me into action. If I don’t produce content I’ll lose them, and that won’t do any of us any good.” She sounded defensive to her own ears.
“Hey, it’s okay. Yes, you might have said something, but Tierney and I are fully supportive, and Tierney’s found herself something to keep her occupied and out from under my feet.”
The look of pure love Kasia shot in Tierney’s direction was enough to take any sting out of her words.
“So please use her as much as you need. I trust you not to let it disrupt your work. You know what you’re doing in the kitchen far better than I do.” Kasia’s smile was genuine, and Marianne wondered at the improvement to their relationship in a few short weeks. Relief ran through her.
“Thank you.” She turned to Tierney. “Let me know when you want to get started. I’d like to get the whole journey of those langoustines, from creel to plate, if possible.”
Tierney turned to the door. “I’ll grab my tripod and you can tell me where’s best to set up.” She left with a bounce in her step.
“Thank you.” Kasia’s smile was even wider. “I know it wasn’t your primary intention but giving Tierney a project is much appreciated. She’s not dealing well with being inactive.”
“She doesn’t have to be. I worked up to the weekend before I gave birth to Denny.”
“That might be possible for a chef. A very dedicated one, at least. But we’re moving into the summer season when Tierney’s main job is to teach water sports. She was so upset by having to hire an instructor this year.” Kasia stood. “So, thank you for taking her mind off it. There’s just one other thing I wanted to talk to you about.” She came and sat in the chair next to Marianne, removing the barrier of the desk between them. Marianne hoped it was a good sign.
“Earlier in the year, when Tom was still planning to stay, we were nominated for the regional Snappy Crab awards. I don’t know if you’re aware of them?”
Marianne nodded. “Of course I am. Anyone who works with seafood would be. We entered Batiya, too.” She rubbed her head. How could that have been such a short time ago? She had no idea if they’d gotten through to the next round before being disqualified.
Kasia didn’t acknowledge her change of mood. “Anyway, we got through to the shortlist and the winners are being announced next week. If we’re in the top three, we go through to the national competition and the mystery judges will be making a visit at some point.”
“Let’s keep our fingers crossed, then. The national competition is fantastic visibility. Who knows, we may even win.” She smiled confidently. She loved a competition.
Kasia mirrored her smile. “It’s reassuring to know you take such awards seriously.”
Marianne blinked and barked out a laugh. “What, did you think I’d only have time for Michelin stars?” It stung a little to hear that her employers still believed she was too full of herself to be interested in the success of their little restaurant.
“No, of course not. I only thought it was fair to let you know that we might be getting a visit from the judges.”
Marianne decided it would be best to let it go. She let some warmth back into her tone. “In that case I’ll make sure they get food to remember.”
“You always do, with every dish. I know that.” Kasia stood. “Now get back to your kitchen. I can see you’re itching to.”
“Thank you.” She returned Kasia’s smile and turned to leave.
“Just don’t get so popular you’re lured away from our little island, will you?” Kasia’s smile was less broad when Marianne glanced back.
“It would take a hell of a lot to drag me away from here.”
She closed the door and hurried back to her team, but deep down she wondered. Would she abandon the Waterside for a chance at the kind of job she used to get offered?