5 #2
“What are you going to do, Jerome? You can’t just leave things as they are. You’ll go crazy. I know I’m no relationship expert, but I know you. This situation is going to break you. You’re already a wreck splitting yourself up.”
“I know.” He turned around to look at Peter.
“I need to get Level One back on track. Here’s covered with you.
If you need more staff, we’ll get it. And then I can concentrate on my marriage.
I don’t want my kids to suffer. I grew up with both parents and when Papa died, it destroyed me.
I know it’s not the same as a divorce” – Peter’s eyes shot up to Jerome’s weary face – “but if your parents aren’t together… I don’t want that for them.”
“Jerome. If you’re miserable in a marriage, your children will suffer too. Look, now they’re being brought up by the nanny. Liz was never the maternal type.” Peter restrained a sneer.
“I know, but I have to make this work, Peter, for them.” Jerome’s eyes gazed at the picture on his desk and his face softened.
“Does anyone else know? I mean about the affair?”
“Just Cosimo. He saw her with this assistant. He went to the gym on his lunch break and used the back entrance. I gave him a key. They were in her office. They didn’t see him.”
“When was this?”
“Three weeks ago.”
“Jesus, Jerome. I’m so sorry.” Jerome turned back to look out of the window. Peter noticed his veins pumping in his neck and he realised that Jerome was holding back.
“Look, Jerome. I know I really can’t give advice – well, not with my track record. Two failed marriages and a string of bad relationships, and now only six months into a new marriage. But the one thing I know is that if your marriage is shaky, you need to protect yourself.”
“You sound like Cosimo.” Jerome’s voice was low as he leaned his hands on the windowsill. At first Peter thought it was for support, but then he noticed his friend’s hands were gripping the ledge so hard, it revealed the whites of his knuckles.
“Well he’s right. I don’t want to pry but… well, if you end up divorced, you don’t want her walking off with half your businesses.”
Jerome released his grip and Peter braced himself, wondering whether he’d overstepped his mark. They were close, but that didn’t mean Jerome would be happy with Peter’s straight talking. It was his marriage and wife Peter was talking about, after all.
“I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that, Peter. But thanks for the advice.” He turned back to him and Peter visibly relaxed. “I’d rather no one knows about this. Firstly, I need to see how best to deal with the situation and secondly, I don’t want Mama getting upset.”
“Of course, Jerome.” Peter smiled at him. “Come on, I need a coffee.”
Jerome smiled weakly and nodded.
“Don’t worry about La Casa. We’ll manage without you until you get Level One organised.” Peter patted his back as they headed towards the door.
“I’m not worried about here, Peter. I know you’ve got it covered. I just… well… I just like being here.” He stifled a sigh. This felt like home. He was always at his happiest in La Casa.
OLLIE SNUGGLED UP TO Dani as he continued to read his book out aloud to her.
Sophie listened as she stuck pictures she’d cut from a magazine into her book.
It was raining heavily outside and was already dark.
Dani was glad for the fire, she hated November – it was so depressing.
Dark by four o’clock and the sun rose so late.
They could hear Rosie babbling away in the kitchen with Chloe as she prepared their dinner.
Chloe was singing “You Are My Sunshine” to Rosie as she sat in her high chair.
Sophie kept giggling when she heard Rosie repeat the last words, again omitting the first letter.
Dani’s phone vibrated on the side table and she disentangled herself from Ollie to reach for it. She hoped it wasn’t Jez again. His phone calls had dropped to one a day now. She looked at the time. Ten past five. The number didn’t look familiar but it was local.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Dani?”
Dani’s heart stopped for a second. She recognised Mr Becker’s calm voice. “Er, yes.”
“It’s Peter Becker from La Casa d’Italia.”
“Hello, Mr Becker, it’s nice to hear from you. Well, I hope it is, anyway,” she joked.
He let out a laugh. “I like someone with a sense of humour. Well, I’m ringing to offer you the job. That is if you’re still interested.”
“Yes I am, very much so. Thank you. Thanks a lot.” She couldn’t contain her enthusiasm. Finally, something to take her mind off –
“Did you manage to read through the material I gave you?” Mr Becker interrupted her thoughts.
“Yes. Everything’s fine. When would you like me to start?”
“Could you come in tomorrow morning around nine so we can run through everything? Then we’d like you to start on Friday.”
“Yeah, sure. That’s great.”
“Good. And you’ll be able to pick up your uniform and meet Mrs Ferretti too. Get acquainted with the place and staff.”
“Sounds great.”
“Okay, then I’ll see you at nine then.”
“Yes, and thanks again, Mr Becker.”
“Good bye, Dani.”
“Bye.”
Dani turned off her phone and shrieked. “Yeah!” she jumped up from the sofa and jumped on the spot, to the delight of Ollie and Sophie. She grabbed their hands and they immediately stood up.
“I just got a jo-o-b. I just got a jo-o-b!” she sang as they formed a circle and danced around with her. Chloe came in from the kitchen with Rosie on her hip to see what all the noise was all about.
“Mummy, Dani’s got a jo-o-b!” mimicked Ollie and then carried on dancing round in a circle with Sophie chanting.
“Oh that’s great news, Dani.” Rosie wriggled on her hip itching to get down and join in. Chloe lowered her down and Dani took her hand. “Are you going to sing too? Dani’s got a jo-o-b!”
“Job!” repeated Rosie. Sophie and Ollie stopped instantly and gaped at Rosie.
Chloe’s face lit up and Dani scooped Rosie up. “Yes, Rosie. Job.”
“Job,” Rosie repeated as she beamed at Dani.
“That’s it, Rosie. See, I told you it would click.” Dani looked at Chloe as she grinned.
“Double celebration, then. I think this calls for chocolate cake.” Chloe cheered.
“Yeah, chocolate cake! I’ll make us one of Dani’s special chocolate cakes! I need helpers,” Dani cried. Sophie and Ollie jumped up and down and they all scrambled into the kitchen.
BY SEVEN O’CLOCK, Dani had bathed the children and was getting them into bed, while Adam and Chloe had dinner together.
She was pleased she was here. At least she could help them out, give them some time alone together.
They never went out alone. Chloe never felt she could leave the children with a babysitter she could trust. If they were really stuck, Adam’s father always volunteered and he was great with the children, but Chloe still found it hard to leave them.
As Dani brushed Sophie’s hair, she made a mental note.
Her first evening off, she would babysit for them so they could go out.
Dani found Adam and Chloe in the sitting room drinking coffee and eating the chocolate cake she’d made earlier.
“Congrats on the job, Dani.” Adam grinned at her. “I knew they’d take you on.”
“Thanks, Adam. I have to say I’m excited.”
“I put your car in the paper. It goes in next Thursday. I put my number for a contact.”
“Good. I really wouldn’t know how to deal with all that.”
Adam smirked. “What time do you need to be in tomorrow?”
“Nine.” Dani curled up in the armchair.
“I’ll drop you off. We need to set off by eight.”
“Oh great. And I know which bus to get home. Though I’m not sure how I’ll get home once I start working. I’ll probably finish around midnight. Not sure I’d like to travel at night on the bus. I’ll need to get a car organised.”
“Use your car until it’s sold.”
Dani nodded. She just wanted to get rid of it. It was another reminder of Jez. Then, as if he was reading her mind, he added.
“I’ve got the letter I drafted for Jez regarding the house for you to look at.
When you’ve read it, let me know if you need to change anything and I’ll get the ball rolling on that too.
” He popped a forkful of cake in his mouth and chewed as he eyed Dani.
Her face dropped and he felt bad for causing her mood to change from excited to melancholy.
Chloe straightened up on the sofa and caught Adam’s eye. He cringed as she glared at him.
ADAM PULLED UP OUTSIDE La Casa d’Italia at eight forty-five.
The heavy rain from yesterday had been replaced by a light drizzle.
Dani hugged Adam, then quickly jumped out of the car and ran in through the heavy glass door.
She carried a small holdall with her shoes in.
She was wearing her silver Hunter wellingtons to protect her feet and a waterproof mac.
Once inside, she took off her hood, opened up her mac, smoothed down her black skirt and adjusted her white blouse. A sweet smell wafted from the kitchen and Dani took a deep breath, relishing every molecule.
Wow, what a fabulous way to start your day. She could hear the familiar Italian opera coming from the direction of the kitchen and Capo’s distinct baritone voice.
Dani looked around the restaurant and felt excited and a little nervous.
It had been a while since she’d worked under someone else’s supervision, and the thought was a little daunting.
Dani stepped through into the restaurant and walked over to the kitchen.
She paused at the door, then pushed it open.
There were already a number of people in the kitchen.
She recognised the two from when she was there for her interview.
Capo was vigorously mixing a cream mixture in a bowl and a petite blonde woman was rolling out pastry on a floured surface.
“Dani. Buongiorno!“ Capo smiled widely, genuinely pleased to see her. “Welcome to our family!” he gushed. Dani grinned, overwhelmed by his greeting.
“Thank you, Capo.”
“I tell Chef you’re here. This is Carmen, my patisserie chef.”