13
Talking Italian
It was still dark outside as Dani made her way into the kitchen. Chloe was feeding Rosie her cereal, while Sophie and Ollie ate theirs. “Morning.”
Sophie, Oliver and Chloe instantly replied and Rosie, having a mouth full of cereal, spat out, “Ani!” causing mushed up Weetabix to spray everywhere, resulting in Sophie and Ollie dissolving into hysterical laughter.
“Dani, D-D-Dani,” corrected Dani, stifling a laugh. Then she planted a kiss on Rosie’s head. “I thought she’d gotten over it.”
“Sometimes she gets it right,” chuckled Chloe as she wiped herself clean of cereal. “You were very busy last night.” She gestured to the sponges.
“Yes, it looks like since I made the last cake for Carmen, I’m now expected to make one for everyone’s birthday.”
“Oh, I see. Well, it’s great to see how quickly you’ve settled in and you’re obviously loving it.”
“I do. They’re all so nice.”
“Adam told me about your car. That’s good news too. Any more from Jez?” She hesitated over the last sentence.
“No, not since I sent him the email. I just hope he doesn’t do anything stupid like… turn up,” cringed Dani.
“Well, I know you don’t want to, but you may need to speak to him.”
“I know, you’re right. I’m just… well, to be honest, I’m scared I’ll cave.”
“He’s two hundred miles away. That helps,” grinned Chloe. “Come on guys, let’s get you all washed up to go.” Sophie and Ollie got up as Chloe pulled Rosie out of her highchair. “Ring him. Sometimes you think things will be worse than they are.”
Dani nodded and started to clear up the breakfast things.
“Who’s the cake for, then?”
“Er, Jerome.”
“The owner?” Chloe’s eyes widened.
“Uh-huh.” Dani shuffled over to the sponges, avoiding eye contact.
“Really?”
“Yeah.” Dani looked up as Chloe hitched Rosie onto her hip. “Carmen, the girl I made the last one for, practically forced me into it. Looks like I’ve started a tradition.” Dani shrugged, trying to make light of it and Chloe nodded slowly.
BY NINE FORTY, DANI was nearing La Casa d’Italia’s car park.
For the entire journey down, she’d had butterflies thinking about seeing Jerome.
Her cake had turned out perfectly and she felt a real thrill that she’d made this for him, even though the feeling was totally inappropriate.
She was behaving like a love-struck teenager and her reactions were totally ridiculous, bordering on ludicrous.
As soon as she drove through the entrance, her heart dropped.
His Maserati wasn’t there. Dani parked up and sat for a moment.
She shook head and unbuckled her seat belt.
This was stupid. How could she be feeling so devastated, all because he wasn’t here?
She had no right, no right whatsoever. She’d better get her head together before she did something she’d regret.
This was a great job and a new beginning – she couldn’t mess it up.
Dani pushed open the kitchen door and was hit with the delicious smell of rich tomato sauce. Jamie grinned at her. “You made him one, then?” He paced over to see the cake as Dani placed it on the work surface.
“Yes.” Her attention was distracted by the fridge door opening, and Capo stepped out.
“Buongiorno, Dani.“ He beamed as he strode over to her. By this time Franco, Enzo, Carmen, Vanessa and Rico had come over to inspect. “You made Jerome a birthday cake?”
Dani nodded shyly, “I said I would.”
Capo looked down at it and grinned. “You even wrote ‘Happy Birthday’ on it too. That’s fantastic! Fantastico! Quick, put it in the fridge, Jamie, so we can surprise him later,“ he said, his excitement evident.
“Great job, Dani. He’ll be thrilled,” beamed Carmen, her blue eyes danced as Dani blushed. “I’ll get you a cannoli.” She hugged Dani and walked over to the fridge.
“Coffee?”
Everyone nodded and Dani almost skipped her way to the bar, with a new bounce in her step.
JEROME DECIDED TO SKIP the gym this morning.
Instead, he made his children pancakes for breakfast, seeing as it was his birthday.
He also felt he should make more of an effort with Liz.
Maybe if he was around more she’d be less difficult.
They were going to have to broach the subject of Jonathan sooner or later but he wasn’t going to do that today.
Jerome placed the pile of pancakes in the oven to keep warm and prepared some fruit salad. He knew Liz wouldn’t touch the pancakes. He could hear his children and Liz walking around upstairs getting ready for school, so he went out into the hallway and called up.
“Anyone for pancakes! Come and get them while they’re hot!”
Kara squealed with joy. “Daddy, you’re here!” Then she ran back to her room and Jerome heard her whispering loudly to Alessandro. He grinned to himself as he paced back to the kitchen and started to set the table.
There was a thunder of footsteps coming down the stairs, then Alessandro and Kara burst into the kitchen.
“Happy birthday, Daddy!” They both flung themselves at him and he hugged them tightly.
“Thank you. Come on, sit down.”
They both quickly sat at the table, then Kara put a small parcel on the table and Alessandro a large card. They grinned at each other as Jerome reached into the oven and took out the warm pancakes and put them on the table.
“This is for you, Daddy.” Alessandro pushed over the card and small parcel.
Jerome’s eyes brightened. “For me?” He sat down and took the card.
“Alessandro made the card for you,” Kara explained excitedly as Jerome opened the large envelope.
Jerome pulled out the card, which was cream in colour and framed in blue. Alessandro had stuck a picture of himself and Kara along with a picture of a Maserati, a chef’s hat, a picture of AC Milan’s badge and an Italian flag.
“They’re all the things you love.” Alessandro smiled shyly at his father as Jerome opened the card to find it covered in different sized Xs, and at the bottom they’d written “Happy Birthday” and signed their names.
“They’re all our kisses,” Kara explained.
Jerome’s heart almost burst as he gazed at his children’s expectant faces. “It’s absolutely amazing. I’m going to put it in my office.”
Alessandro grinned. Their attention was drawn to the door opening and Nina walked in.
“Happy birthday, Jerome. Morning munchkins.” She winked at them, then she hugged Jerome from behind and handed him a beautifully wrapped box of chocolates, “I know they’re your favourite.
” Jerome looked down at the large box which had “Hotel Chocolat” emblazoned on the top.
“It’s their Winter Pudding Selection. They are to die for! ”
“Thanks, Nina. You didn’t need to buy me anything.” He gave her a peck on the cheek and she rolled her eyes. He said that to her every year.
“I know. I wanted to. Ooh, you’ve been busy.” She spied the pancakes and immediately started to serve the children.
Putting the chocolate box to the side, Jerome then reached over to the small parcel.
He picked it up and ripped open the paper.
Two thinly plaited, black leather bracelets fell out.
Jerome picked them up and noticed that within the first bracelet there was a silver letter A attached, and in the second bracelet there was a silver letter K.
“Kara made them,” Alessandro said softly as he saw his father finger them.
“Nina helped me, a lot,“ added Kara.
Jerome looked over to Nina, then over to both of his children. His eyes welled with tears, clearly moved by the personal gifts. “They’re beautiful. I can’t believe you made me my card and my gift. You’re both amazing. Thank you.”
Nina stood up quickly, moved by how overwhelmed he was. “Here let me put them on. They’ve a special clasp so you can take them off easier.”
Jerome held out his wrist and Nina took off his old ones and clipped on the new ones.
“They fit perfectly.” Nina looked pleased with herself.
Kara jumped up and sat on Jerome’s knee and Alessandro followed.
Jerome squeezed them both and kissed them.
“They’re the best birthday presents ever.
How lucky am I? Come on now, let’s eat the pancakes.
You’ll be late for school. What do you say we have dinner down at the restaurant tonight?
” His eyes caught Nina’s and he mouthed “Thanks.” She shrugged it off.
She adored the children and she loved Jerome like her own family.
He’d been so good to her over the time she worked for him, it was the least she could do.
Liz stepped into the kitchen while they were clearing up.
“Morning.” She looked over to Jerome. “You have been busy.” There was a slight hint of sarcasm in her tone, but Jerome chose to ignore it.
“Happy birthday.” She walked over to him and gave him a peck on the cheek.
The gesture was about as warm as the November morning frost.
“Thanks. I made some fruit salad for you.” Nina quickly ushered the children to get their coats on and gather their school bags.
“Oh thank you. Didn’t you go to the gym, then?”
“No. I thought the kids would like to have a birthday breakfast.” He turned from the dishwasher and faced her.
She was flawlessly dressed in black woollen slacks and an ice blue sweater that emphasised her cool blue eyes.
Her blonde hair was swept into a ponytail.
“I thought we could have an early dinner at La Casa with the children.”
Liz was about to answer when Nina came through. “I’ll take the kids this morning.”
“Thanks Nina,” replied Jerome and Liz nodded.
Both Kara and Alessandro ran in to hug and kiss their parents.
Kara held Jerome’s wrist to quickly admire her work.
She ran her fingers over the bracelets she’d made and beamed, then exited the kitchen as fast as she’d run in.
Jerome stared after his children, glad he’d spent the morning with them.
He frowned to himself. He really should do it more often, he thought.
He caught Liz watching him and he smiled tightly.