20 #3
Dani beamed back at him. He was about to add something but his phone vibrated indicating he had an email.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, then opened up the email option.
He stiffened slightly and his face hardened a little.
Dani frowned at his reaction. For a few minutes she’d seen the charismatic Jerome but now his face had turned pensive.
She was getting used to having him all to herself in the morning and that in itself was unsettling her.
She needed to be more careful. Dani moved back behind the bar and busied herself with the tidying up of the coffee machine, leaving Jerome to read whatever it was on his phone.
Jerome perched himself on the bar stool and started scrolling through Scott’s report on Liz’s movements yesterday.
There was nothing untoward. In fact all she’d done, after dropping the children off at school, was spend three hours at her agents and then went back home.
He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He knew he should’ve been pleased, relieved even, but if he was being honest he felt a twinge of disappointment.
Jerome frowned to himself. Maybe Liz was making an effort after all.
Maybe she was willing to put everything behind them and try harder for him and their family.
Wasn’t that what this was all about? He rubbed his forehead disturbed by his reaction.
Jerome closed off the email and pocketed his phone unsure of what he’d been expecting.
He shook his head, deciding again to shelve his feelings and immerse himself in work.
As expected the Saturday lunchtime trade was steady and constant.
Thankfully by two o’clock there was a slight lull and Dani felt she could relax somewhat.
That was until she saw Liz enter the restaurant along with Kara, Alessandro and Nina.
Crap! Thought Dani. She prayed that they’d sit at the bottom of the restaurant.
She really didn’t feel like being snubbed publicly again.
Gia fussed over the children while Jerome took Liz’s coat.
Dani discreetly watched their interaction.
Liz had a small fake smile fixed on her face as Jerome scanned the restaurant for a table.
They seemed to be skirting around each other, there was no touching or intimacy, they were behaving like strangers, not like a couple at all.
Dani decided she’d better focus on clearing away her table and hope Jerome wouldn’t direct them to her section.
Gia was about to guide them up to where Dani was now resetting the places when Jerome suggested another table in Rosa’s section that had just been vacated.
Dani felt her body relax and breathed a sigh of relief.
She wasn’t sure why she felt so uncomfortable around Liz.
They’d hardly even spoken to each other, so it wasn’t entirely fair to judge her on one meeting, but nevertheless Dani really disliked her.
Liz looked stunning in a figure-hugging black dress and knee high boots and she walked around as if she owned the place.
Dani huffed to herself, well she did didn’t she?
Gia settled them all in and then went to the front desk as more customers were entering, leaving Rosa and Jerome to deal with the order.
Dani’s focus was drawn to the front door as it opened and to her surprise in walked Adam and Chloe with their children in tow and Adam’s father Ray.
Chloe caught her eye and waved to her. Gia smiled widely at Adam recognising him instantly, then he proceeded to introduce the rest of the family.
“Hey this is nice surprise!” grinned Dani as the children chatted animatedly. Chloe settled them down trying not to disturb the other tables.
“I thought it was time they saw you in action.” Adam winked. “And try the amazing food.”
“Hey Ray, how are you?” Dani quickly hugged and kissed Ray, his tall frame engulfing Dani.
Like Adam he was big and in great shape for a man who was a year shy of sixty with dark blonde hair greying at his temples.
Dani had always liked him. He was the epitome of a gentleman with a wicked sense of humour.
Ray was the only grandparent Sophie, Oliver and Rosie had.
Adam’s mother had left Ray when Adam was only two and he had single-handedly raised him whilst he built up his doctor’s practice.
“I’m very well. This place is really something.” He lifted his eyebrows at Dani and sat down.
“Yes it is. The food’s fabulous too.”
“And the owner isn’t half-bad either.” Ray lowered his voice to a stage whisper making Dani giggle as she handed him his menu. “She called me Raymondo. I think I rather like that.”
Sophie and Ollie giggled at his comment and Adam shook his head. “She’s not the owner, Dad, she’s the mother of the owner.”
“Well she’s a hottie.”
“Otty,” repeated Rosie.
“H-h-hottie,” corrected Adam and Chloe gawked at him, shocked that he would correct her.
Dani handed out the menus and quickly retrieved a high chair for Rosie, then left them to mull over the choices.
Thankfully her tables were on dessert or coffee so Dani was able to spend more time with her family. It made her a little sad to think that her entire family was sat round table twenty-four in La Casa d’Italia, a stark contrast to the Ferrettis and their huge family.
Dani’s eyes flitted over to where Jerome was sitting with Liz and their children.
The children were talking away and Jerome listened intently to them, only periodically scanning the restaurant ensuring all was running like clockwork.
Liz was sitting stiffly picking at a salad but hardly paying any attention to her family.
Jerome proceeded to cut up the children’s food and wiped their faces.
He moved drinks out of their way, so that they wouldn’t spill anything while Liz looked vacantly at them and checked her watch.
The next hour moved swiftly on, Dani was distracted by her family and hadn’t noticed that Liz had left.
Gia was sitting with the children as they finished their meals and Jerome was doing the rounds of the remaining tables.
He headed towards Adam’s table while Dani continued to serve a new table of guests that had just been seated.
“Hello, Adam.” Jerome held out his hand as Adam rose to greet him. “Can’t keep away I see.”
Adam chuckled at his comment. “Well I thought I should treat my family, for a change.”
Adam quickly introduced the table to Jerome.
He took time to speak to Chloe and Ray, then deliberately spoke to all three children.
Within a few minutes they’d established that the children attended the same school as Kara and Alessandro, though they were in different classes but knew each other.
Jerome suggested that Sophie and Ollie go down and join them once they’d finished.
Then he excused himself and headed towards the front of the restaurant.
“Well he’s so nice.” Chloe directed her comment to Dani as she cleared their plates.
“Uh-huh,” Dani replied, trying hard to look indifferent.
“And he’s so good looking,“ she continued, oblivious of Adam’s arched eyebrow. Ray chuckled and Chloe grinned at Adam. “Well he is,” Chloe insisted and Adam conceded with a nod and a grin. “He’s quite a sexpot.”
Dani gaped at her sister. “Chloe!”
Adam rolled his eyes at his wife and she sniggered.
“Expot,” repeated Rosie and before Adam could correct her Chloe hissed.
“Don’t you dare!” causing all of them to giggle.
“Well, I’ll be definitely be coming here again. The food is excellent.” Ray licked his spoon clean of Tiramisu.
Dani cleared her throat. “And the service Ray. Don’t forget the service.” She winked at him.
“Of course, the service was second to none,” he added, grinning widely. “And the view too. It’s worth it just to watch the floor show.” Ray jerked his head towards where Gia was stood by the bar talking to Nina.
“Steady on there, Raymoundo.“ Adam shook his head, clearly exasperated. “I swear, you and Chloe have to get out more!”
“I think you’re right son.” Ray winked at Chloe, then took another spoonful of Tiramisu.