23
Traditions
Jerome ran at a steady pace along the riverside leading up to La Casa; his blood pumping fast through his veins, his breath forming rhythmic clouds.
He turned into the car park of La Casa, then stopped just outside the back door and bent over, resting his hands on his slightly bent knees to catch his breath.
He’d pushed himself today, needing to relieve himself of the pressure he was feeling.
Checking up on Liz, organizing Level One and then the possible drug problems at Sky were all playing on his mind.
As his breathing began to slow down, Jerome straightened and made his way towards the back door.
Continuing to push himself he ran up the stairs two by two, heading directly to his office.
Within twenty minutes he was showered and dressed for business.
He lowered himself into his chair and brought his computer to life with a flick of his mouse, then clicked onto the email icon and waited.
His heart began to beat a little faster as he let the curser hover over Scott’s latest report.
He opened up the email and started to read.
Again there was nothing unusual. Liz had done the school run, then after picking up some coffees and health juices, she headed to her agent’s office, parking as she always did in the underground parking.
She stayed there until after lunch, then picked up some dry cleaning, a few groceries and made her way home, staying there all night.
Jerome leaned back in his chair staring at the screen. It was there in black and white. Nothing untoward. So why did he still have an uneasy feeling? Jerome rubbed his face, then closed down the screen. Four more days and he was done.
Dani pushed back through the kitchen doors into the restaurant having left the staff’s coffees and headed back to the bar to prepare her own and Peter’s. He was sat at the bar with the rota in front of him.
“Can you work through today and tomorrow?” Peter asked, his eyes still glued to the rota tapping his pen against his mouth.
“Sure, but Thursday I have the night off, remember so I won’t be able to.”
“Hmm, yes. The rest of the week?”
Dani chuckled. “If no one else can, sure.”
“I’m sorry. Am I taking advantage of you?” Peter looked up at her and cringed.
“Totally, but it’s okay.” She grinned, then started to make their coffees.
“It’s just that Augustino is taking a few days off and Pino called in with a stomach bug.”
“No worries Chef, count me in.”
.“ Mama! Wow, you’ve really outdone yourself this year!” Jerome stood in the main part of the restaurant and looked around whistling. His gaze moved from one section of the room to the other in total awe.
Gia stood a few feet away from him, her eyes focused on Dani and she winked at her.
Jerome had met Gia in the vestibule as she’d exited the lift and they’d entered the restaurant together.
Dani beamed back thrilled at Jerome’s reaction.
Feeling her face flame, she quickly turned to the coffee machine and started to prepare Gia’s and Jerome’s coffees.
“So you like it? Is it better than any of the other years?” Gia coaxed stepping towards the bar.
“Oh yes Mama. Really. It’s most definitely the best.” Jerome moved to the bar and greeted Peter and nodded his hello and thanks to Dani as she pushed the coffees towards them.
“Well I’m very pleased to hear it. But you need to direct your praise to Daniella.”
Jerome’s eyes darted to Dani and then back to Gia, “Dani?”
Gia perched onto the stool in front of her next to Peter. “Yes. She came by yesterday. We started my computer lessons.” Gia mock grimaced and Peter chuckled. “She offered to help me out but as it turns out it was all her doing, I just held on to the ladder!”
“Really?” Jerome couldn’t hide his surprise. And somewhere in the back of his mind he thought that he’d missed a chance to see her.
“You never said anything to me this morning when I commented on them Dani.” Peter mildly scolded her. Dani shrugged it off and felt her face heat a little more at the sudden attention. “Great job.”
Dani scrunched up her face embarrassed. “Thanks.”
Recovering from his surprise, Jerome sat on a bar stool. “Well thank you very much, Dani. You’ve done an amazing job. No offense, Mama,” he added quickly.
“None taken. She deserves all the credit.” Gia turned her attention to Peter. “How’s the rota?” Peter slid the sheet of paper he’d been scribbling on towards her and began to run through the next two weeks with her.
“You really are full of surprises,” Jerome said softly, continuing to stare at Dani.
She shifted on her feet nervously. “I used to decorate the bar for various events,” Dani said quietly, as way of explanation.
Jerome nodded slowly. “Well you’re good at it. Very good. A girl of many talents.” He blinked softly at her. “We need to hang on to you.”
The last sentence caught Peter’s attention. His eyes shot up in time to catch the undeniable look of admiration on Jerome’s face.
“GREAT JOB ON THE decorations.” Kuch slipped into his seat next to Dani. Nicole and Rosa agreed with him taking their places around the table.
“Thanks,” Dani replied shyly.
“No need to ask what you got up to on your day off, then,” Kuch joked.
“No,” agreed Dani. “What did you guys get up to?”
“Oh the usual for me; housework and grocery shopping. I live a very exciting life,” Rosa huffed.
“Just slept in and chilled really.” Nicole shrugged but Dani noticed that her eyes flitted over to Kuch.
“What about you Kuch?”
“Same as Nicole,” he grinned.
I bet… thought Dani to herself. She wondered to herself how long they’d been seeing each other and if they’d ever be open about it.
Gia, Jerome and Peter entered the room and made their way to their places.
It had been a while since they’d all sat down together.
She tried hard not to focus on Jerome who had now occupied the seat opposite her, his perfect frame dressed in a dark chocolate coloured suit, light blue shirt and dark caramel tie.
Dani’s mouth pooled with saliva. Thankfully Peter stood up to make an announcement causing Dani to look away.
“Morning, everyone. I just want to go over our holiday schedule so that we can put our final staffing rota together. As most of you know we will still be closing, as usual, on Mondays over the Christmas period. Christmas Eve lunch we will also be closed but our staff Christmas dinner will be held, as always, on Christmas Eve at four thirty. Gia will be sending around the bag with all your names in for you to pick one for the secret Santa.” Gia smiled up at him and passed the bag to Matteo who was to her left.
“If you pick out your own name put it back in the bag and pick another. And the gift shouldn’t cost more than twenty-five pounds. That’s the limit.” There was a murmur of excitement as the bag was passed to each member of staff.
“I hope I don’t get Gia or Jerome,” muttered Silvanna, so only Rosa and Dani heard. “What on earth would I buy them? I’m useless as it is at buying presents.”
“And no swapping the names amongst each other,” added Peter.
“That’s part of the fun.” There was a mixture of chuckles and groans from everyone at the table.
“Of course we will be open on Christmas Eve night for our gala dinner and then on Christmas Day lunch too. We have two sittings so we should be wrapped up by five thirty so you’ll be able to spend the evening with your families. ”
Their attention was drawn to the end of the table where Rico was chuckling, he’d pulled out his own name. He took out another and then put his own named piece of paper back into the bag and shook it.
Peter continued. “Boxing day lunch is packed out so I would appreciate everyone working on that day. Even though the main restaurant is closed for the evening, we do have a party booked up here in the private room, so I’m looking for volunteers.
” His eyes automatically fell on to Dani, she smiled at him and nodded.
“New Year’s Eve is fully booked so again I really need everyone here. It will be fancy dress for the staff, as you all remember, last year it was a huge success.” Dani’s eyebrows shot up and she looked at Rosa who beamed at her and nodded.
“I’ll fill you in on all the traditions we have here at La Casa. It’s great fun!”
Peter continued, “And New Year’s Day lunch is only one sitting starting at one, so we can all come in one hour later. I’ve put all the details on the notice board. If there are any days you cannot work let me know and I’ll do my best to accommodate you.”
Dani’s attention was drawn to a soft groan coming from Silvanna. She was reading the name she’d pulled out. Dani leaned over to see who she’d pulled.
“I knew I’d get Jerome,” she whispered.
Dani’s heart dropped, she’d been hoping she would get him. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”
Silvanna sighed in relief. “Oh thanks, Dani. I really wouldn’t have a clue.”
Rosa pulled out her paper and read it and smiled at the name.
“Who did you get?” asked Kuch
“Ah, ah. It’s secret Santa Kuch,“ Rosa tutted.
Dani took the bag and mixed up the papers with her hand before pulling one out. She opened it up indifferent to whoever’s name was on there. Silvanna had the one name she’d wanted. The little piece of paper had Jamie’s name on it and she smiled. Buying for him would be easy.
“So tell me more about these traditions.” Dani turned to face Rosa.
“Well we do secret Santa every year and exchange the gifts at our Christmas Eve staff dinner. Oh, I just remembered it’s Capo’s and Nicole’s birthday on Christmas Eve too, so you’ll have to make them a cake!”
“Seriously, on the same day?” Dani looked up at Nicole and she smiled apologetically.
Rosa continued, “On New Year’s Eve we all dress up in fancy dress. It’s a blast. The customers get a real kick out of it.”
“You dress in whatever you want?” asked Dani.
“Pretty much. I think I’m going to be Cleopatra this year.” Rosa’s eyes widened with excitement.
“Wow, you’d be a great Cleopatra.”