8
Family Matters
Dani drew her car into the car park and stopped next to Gia’s Fiat.
Jerome’s sleek car was parked on the other side and Dani felt a little thrill.
Quickly checking the time, she got out of her car.
It was nine fifteen. She’d made it down in forty-five minutes.
Feeling pleased with herself for not getting lost, she stepped around the wall that hid the staff smoking table and bumped into Franco and Enzo, who were having a quick cigarette.
“Morning.”
“Morning, you’re early,” Franco commented as he stubbed out his cigarette.
Dani shrugged and then stepped through the back door and headed into the kitchen. The sweet smell of vanilla wafted through the air. “Morning, Carmen.”
“Morning.” Carmen grinned at Dani. “Strawberry, fig and goats cheese tart.” Carmen gestured to the work surface, which had a number of ingredients on it and was covered in flour.
“Oh crap!” moaned Dani and backed away.
Carmen laughed loudly. “Go get yourself a coffee.”
“I will, where’s Capo?”
“He’s coming in late today. He always does on a Saturday and Sunday, because he works through,” explained Carmen.
Dani slipped out the back to ask if Franco or Enzo wanted a coffee.
“You drive a Porsche?” Enzo asked, wide eyed, clearly shocked that a waitress could afford to buy and run a Porsche.
Dani scrunched up her face, embarrassed. “Um, yeah, but I’m selling it.”
Franco peered round the wall, looking at the number plate, and shook his head in shock. “It’s only a couple of years old.”
“I need something more practical,” she explained, feeling her face redden, and she hurriedly headed for the back door, wishing she’d taken the bus instead.
She set to work on the coffee machine and started taking note of all the liqueurs as she waited for the coffee to filter through.
The dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra could be heard from the kitchen and Dani hummed along to a familiar song.
She put the coffees down and took them on a tray into the kitchen.
“Frank?” asked Dani, surprised that the usual Italian opera wasn’t on while they all worked in the kitchen.
“Yeah, we thought we’d go more contemporary,” sniggered Rico, his round face creased as he grinned. “Don’t you like Frank?”
“Love him, Tony Bennet and Dean Martin. My parents always listened to the fifties music,” replied Dani.
She left the kitchen and headed back to the bar area, slid onto a stool and lifted up a wine list. She opened it up and continued to familiarise herself with the extensive wines and drinks La Casa d’Italia had to offer.
The sound of footsteps alerted her to the back of the restaurant and she held her breath in anticipation of seeing Jerome.
Peter strode through the door and Dani smiled tightly at him, trying hard not to reveal her disappointment. She shook her head slightly. This really had to stop, she thought to herself.
“Morning, Dani, you’re in early.” Peter was next to her by now and she noted he had a hard black book in his hand.
“Morning, Chef. Yes, I wanted to get to know the route down so…” she shrugged. “Shall I make you a coffee?”
“Sure, I’d love one. I’m trying to see how we can fit in all the bookings tonight. It’s going to be a manic evening.” He perched himself on a stool and opened up the book as Dani set to work on his espresso. “Thankfully, everyone’s in tonight,” he mumbled, almost to himself.
“I can help if you like.” Dani placed Peter’s coffee down and then came to have a look at the bookings. He moved the book towards her and let her look down the list.
JEROME QUICKLY DRIED HIMSELF with a towel, then dressed in the suit that hung on the back of the door.
He slipped on his boots and walked down to Peter’s office to let him know that Liz and the kids would be down around two thirty.
He pushed open the door, only to find the office empty.
He lowered his brow and just as he was about to leave, his eye caught the image of Dani sitting at the bar on one of the monitors.
She was talking with Peter. He edged closer and leaned onto the desk, to get a better look.
They seemed to be discussing the bookings for tonight.
Jerome watched on as Dani pointed to parts of the restaurant and gestured enthusiastically, making Peter grin then laugh at some comment she made.
He checked the time. Ten to ten. She was early again.
As he continued to observe their interaction, he noted that she’d put her hair into a plait.
He smiled to himself. All the other female staff just put their hair into a ponytail, but in each of the three days Dani had been coming, she’d had a different look.
The thought pleased him. Attention to detail, he thought wistfully.
Jerome stood and watched, secure in the knowledge no one was aware.
Between them, they managed to accommodate the bookings.
Peter beamed at her and then patted her arm.
Jerome looked at the clock again. It was five past ten.
His attention was directed to the monitor showing the car park.
Capo was pulling up. Next to his mother’s car he noticed a silver Porsche.
He leaned closer. So Dani had driven in today – he smiled at the thought.
In the far corner of his mind, it pleased him that she wouldn’t be getting a ride home from Kuch.
He frowned to himself. That really wasn’t any of his business.
Jerome straightened and headed back to his office.
Sitting down at his desk, he picked up the sealed envelope that he’d been avoiding since yesterday. He picked up his letter opener and sliced through the seal, then pulled out the weighty document and started to read it.
DANI SAT IN HER usual place between Rosa and Kuch for lunch.
The seat opposite her was vacant and she felt disappointed for the second time that morning.
Her eyes drifted over to Gia, who was elegantly cutting through her ravioli.
She really was an extraordinary good-looking woman, thought Dani.
Gia was listening intently to Peter as he spoke and she was nodding as he continued.
Her eyes lifted to Dani and she smiled at her.
Dani reciprocated nervously, embarrassed she’d been caught out staring.
“I hear you drove down.” Kuch’s comment jolted her.
“Yes.”
“Porsche? Are you some rich kid who’s just working for fun, then?”
Dani laughed. “Hardly. I’m selling it. It’s great but… well, it wasn’t my choice.”
“The ex?”
Dani nodded tightly. Kuch narrowed his eyes at her.
“You know, it gets better – with time, I mean. He must have been bad news if you moved two hundred miles away.”
Dani nodded again and looked down at her half-eaten ravioli.
“Apart from Capo, Chef and Jerome, we’re all single here, so you’re not alone. Either we are divorced or still looking. It’s the nature of the business. Unsociable crappy hours don’t help. Not many people put up with that or even understand the buzz.”
Dani looked back up at him. “When I was in college, the very first lecture we had, the lecturer’s opening speech pretty much said that.
That this business had the highest divorce rate and if you didn’t love it, the unsociable hours and long shifts would eventually get to you. I love the rush, though.”
“Me too. People go to restaurants for happy occasions, birthdays, to meet up with friends, on dates. That rubs off on you. So if you’re having a shitty time but you’re surrounded by people who are out to have a good time, it lifts you up.”
“You’re right,” agreed Dani as she picked up her fork and knife again.
“You went to college, then? Smart and pretty.“ Kuch raised his eyebrows and Rosa huffed at him. Nicole, who was sitting opposite him, arched an eyebrow and he winked back at her.
Shrugging, Dani grinned at the compliment. “I never finished my course.”
“Oh.” Kuch’s brow creased.
“I never seemed to be able to get round to it,” she offered as an explanation.
“The ex?” Rosa asked softly and Dani nodded.
“Screw the ex. Stick with us and you’ll wonder what you ever saw in him.” Kuch grinned at her and gently squeezed her shoulders.
“So, you’re single too, then?” Dani asked.
Kuch twisted his mouth and rocked his head from side to side, indicating that he wasn’t. “Well, not exactly. Let’s just say it’s complicated.”
Dani snorted, “Isn’t it always? She’s not married is she?”
“No, but she may as well be,” he sighed. “Like I said, complicated,” he added cryptically.
Rosa laughed. “Tell me about it. I’ve been divorced for eight years and it’s still complicated.” She shook her head.
By eleven thirty, all the staff were getting the restaurant ready. Gia came up to Dani as she was folding the napkins. “Daniella.” Her thick accent extenuated every letter, making Dani smile.
“Yes, Gia?”
“Peter tells me you helped him out this morning with the reservations and that you were here early.”
“Um, yes. I came in early because I was unsure of the route. I didn’t want to be late. The traffic from Harewood can be very busy,” Dani explained, unsure of where the conversation was going.
“Ah yes, you come in from Harewood? That is far.“ Gia’s huge eyes widened in surprise, then a thought seemed to pass through her mind but she dismissed it. “We used to live not far from there, before we bought this place. It’s a lovely area.”
“It is,” agreed Dani.
“Well, Peter was very grateful for your input today. Are you staying on this afternoon?”
“I’m not sure. Chef hasn’t told me but I can do if needed. I was going to buy myself some new boots in the couple of hours off, but it’s nothing important.”
“I’ll ask him. I think we might need more staff today.”
“Sure. It’s no problem. To be honest, I’d prefer to work. It keeps me occupied.”
“Boots? You should go to Harvey Nichols.”
“Oh, I will. Thanks, I really don’t know the shops in Leeds.”
Gia smirked and nodded, then gracefully walked towards the front desk where Peter was resetting the till.