16
Head Rush
Dani flopped down into her chair around the table as Pino and Richard carried their food over.
She’d worked the afternoon shift with them and it had been continuously busy.
Sundays were always hard. There was never a breather.
Customers streamed in steadily at different times compared to the weekdays.
She was looking forward to her Monday off tomorrow.
Her to do list was getting longer and she didn’t seem to be putting a dent into it.
“It’s been crazy today.” Dani helped herself to seafood risotto.
“I know, hardly had time for a smoke,” Pino huffed.
“You should pack it in,” grinned Dani.
“Yeah. How did you manage it?”
“I just decided to stop. I only smoked around ten a day, fifteen tops. But moving up here helped. You know, new beginning and a change of environment. Saved me some money too.” Dani shrugged, deciding not to elaborate much more.
“Ah, there you are, Daniella.” Gia’s melodic voice interrupted them and Dani turned around to look at her walk gracefully towards them. Pino and Richard immediately stood up.
“No, no, sit. You don’t mind if I join you?”
They all answered simultaneously that they didn’t mind and Richard quickly fetched another plate and spooned on some risotto.
“Oh, grazie, Ricardo.”
Dani smiled. She loved the way Gia converted everyone’s name to Italian. “Did you need me for anything, Gia?” Dani asked.
“I noticed you haven’t had a shift off since you started and you’ve worked most afternoons. I was wondering if you were saving them up for some time off later?”
“No, not really.” Dani shrugged. The truth was she just preferred to be working and her Monday off was more than enough for her.
“You’ve worked every shift this week, haven’t you?” Richard asked as Dani took her first forkful.
She nodded, chewed and then swallowed quickly. “Yes. I prefer to be busy at the moment and to be honest, by the time I get home, I’m only there for an hour or so, then I need to head on back, so it’s really not worth it.”
“Yes, it is a long drive from Harewood,” Gia mused.
Dani nodded.
“You’re still living with your sister?”
“Yes, but I’m going to start looking for a place of my own. I love being with them but I think I need to be on my own now and it’s also a bit far away too.”
“Yes, everyone should spend some time on their own. I never did when I was younger. That’s the time to do it.
Unfortunately my time alone is now,” she said wistfully.
“Not that I regret getting married so quickly – no. But you need time to grow on your own. I was lucky Alessandro and I grew together.” She smiled almost to herself, clearly remembering something from her time with her husband.
“You should get an agent to find you a flat to rent around here,” suggested Pino. “Or are you going to buy somewhere?”
“I think I’ll rent for a while. I’m expecting some money to come through after the New Year, so I may look to buy then. I’m not sure.”
“Some big trust fund, eh, Dani?” laughed Richard.
Dani wrinkled her nose, feeling a little embarrassed at the attention. “Not quite,” she answered softly.
“Well, it’s been a great help for Chef that you’ve volunteered to work extra. It gets hard juggling the rota.” Gia smiled softly at Dani.
“Actually, I might ask for next Thursday night off, if that’s okay. It’s my sister’s birthday and I would like to babysit for her so she can go out. She doesn’t get out much.”
“I’m sure that would be no problem. Make sure you tell Chef today.”
“I will.”
“Are you alright in the back restaurant with Pino and Ricardo tonight? It’s a full restaurant from seven thirty and will be full from early on too?”
“I’m fine wherever, Gia.”
Gia smiled warmly at her and affectionately patted her arm. In the couple of weeks Dani had been working at La Casa d’Italia, Gia had grown fond of her. She was good natured, professional and all the staff and customers liked her.
“Good. Well I’ll see you later. I’m going to go and have a rest until seven. I’m feeling a little tired today.” Gia gracefully rose from the table and headed out of the door. Dani watched her leave and then she looked down at Gia’s plate. She hadn’t touched her food. Strange.
Gia had been right. From the second Dani entered the restaurant, it had been packed out. Dani wondered how much busier it was going to be over Christmas. Matteo and his team were in their element, churning out each and every order like a well-oiled machine.
Dani rushed into the kitchen. “Table twenty-four wants an extra portion of the aubergines.” She cringed at Matteo. “I’m sorry, but they keep adding things.”
Matteo’s eyes rolled and Jamie went to the back to quickly put a portion in the oven.
“Five minutes.” He pressed his fingers and thumb together, emphasizing his reply. Dani nodded, leaving the hot busy kitchen and entering the buzzing restaurant, making her way to the troublesome table twenty-four.
“Your extra portion of aubergines will be five minutes.”
“Oh aren’t you a sweetheart,” replied David.
He’d come in again and Dani had been lumbered with him.
All the staff disliked David – he was crass and obnoxious.
He’d been sending her up and down for extra food, then drinks that he ordered periodically.
He seemed to be enjoying watching Dani pander to his every whim.
Dani remained professional and carried out every request with a smile.
But he was starting to become more familiar.
Touching her arm or leaning closer to her as she poured his wine.
“I see David’s giving you a hard time.” Richard cringed.
“David?”
“Table twenty-four. He’s a regular and a pain in the ass. Spends a load of money in here but he thinks the restaurant is at his beck and call. I really don’t like him.”
“Yes, he was in on Friday too.”
“I have a feeling he likes you.” Richard gave her a knowing look.
“He’s with his family,” Dani replied, appalled.
Richard shrugged. “Like he cares.”
Dani rolled her eyes. “Well, I’ve handled worse.”
By eleven thirty, the restaurant had emptied and all the staff had made their way down to the changing rooms to get ready for their weekly night out.
“So glad I’ve got tomorrow off,” sighed Nicole as she applied mascara.
“Have any plans?” asked Dani, vigorously brushing out her ponytail and then pulling it into a loose low ponytail off to one side, styling into a fish tail that fell over her shoulder.
“Just chilling with a friend. I love the way you style your hair. You’re always doing something different with it.”
Dani scrunched her nose at the compliment. The truth was Jez had only liked her hair loose and she’d never had a chance to experiment. Now he wasn’t around, she loved the fact she could wear it any way she pleased.
“Thanks. So, is it a boyfriend?” Dani slipped on her red halter top and tucked it into her skin tight black trousers, then leaned over to the mirror to apply her red lipstick.
“Um, well er, sort of.” Nicole blushed as she answered in a hushed tone. “I don’t really talk about him. It’s a bit complicated, so no one knows.”
Dani raised her brows up. “Oh, okay, well I won’t breathe a word.”
“Thanks,” grinned Nicole.
Once Rosa was ready, they went upstairs to meet up with Kuch who was standing by his car waiting for them.
“Wow, you girls look fabulous. I’m a lucky so-and-so escorting you three.” He smiled coyly at them.
“I like your shirt, Kuch… although I think it looked better on me,” Dani teased.
“Ha, I think you’re right. You can borrow it again anytime.” He winked, opening up the back door for her to get in with Nicole, then Rosa slipped into the front.
Sky was packed out and they needed to squeeze through the clubbers to get to the staff table.
Most of the kitchen staff had made it, along with the majority of the restaurant staff.
Kuch immediately ordered their drinks, then went over to the deejay box to speak to his brother.
Rosa was itching to dance, so she coaxed Dani to go with her and they joined Carmen, Jamie and Silvanna.
Jerome watched over the club from a balcony on a higher level, effectively giving him a bird’s-eye view.
He was able to observe the whole club without being detected.
It also meant he could watch Dani. Her scarlet red top made it easier for him to spot her.
He was pleased to see she wasn’t so much the centre of Kuch’s attention this week.
Maybe she’d given him the brush off, he thought.
Jerome carried on scanning the club, secure in the knowledge that he was hidden from the lower floor clubbers, but his eyes were constantly drawn back to wherever Dani was.
Dani dropped into one of the white leather sofas next to Carmen and fanned her face. “I need to cool down.”
Carmen grinned and jerked her head towards one of the huge glass walls. “There’s a large veranda out there for the smokers.”
Dani twisted around to see where Carmen had signalled to. “I didn’t notice that last week. That’s so cool! I’m going out there for a bit. You coming?”
Carmen shook her head. “I’m not that hot and the height freaks me out.”
Dani shrugged and got up and began to weave her way through the crowd, towards where Carmen had gestured.
The flashing lights reflected off the glass walls, so unless you knew where the veranda was, it was hard to notice.
Dani pushed through the heavy glass doors and was instantly hit by the cool dry air.
She took in a deep breath and looked around.
Once the door had closed, the music from inside became muted.
Only the vibration through the decked floor gave away Dani’s location.