23 #3
“Um, shall we get a few starters to share?”
“You know what, sweetheart? You choose. You know the menu and I eat anything?”
Adam looked up to find Peter by their table. “Good evening Adam, Chloe. How lovely to see you both.”
They exchanged pleasantries and Adam placed their order of Carpaccio, deep fried mozzarella with a tomato marmalade and a crab salad followed by linguine ai Frutti di Mare and lobster ravioli accompanied by a bottle of Gavi.
“Holy hell Adam, no wonder you love this place.” Chloe put down her fork after clearing her plate.
“I know right? And we have desserts too,” he teased.
Their conversation was interrupted by Jerome. He’d stopped by La Casa before heading up to Sky. He greeted them both warmly, genuinely pleased to see them both.
“I hope everything’s been to your liking.”
“Everything’s been fabulous. I’m looking forward to dessert. Dani recommended a couple to us,” gushed Chloe.
“Ah yes. Dani is quite the expert on our desserts. She’s the best public relations we could ever have. Sales in desserts since Dani started working here have almost doubled.” Jerome’s eyes brightened as he spoke to Chloe about Dani, which did not go unnoticed by Adam.
“She’s always raving about all the food and of course she loves working here too.” The few glasses of wine Chloe had had made her less guarded. Jerome’s smile widened at her comment.
“Well we’re all very fond of her too. She’s become an integral part of our family here. She’s extremely capable and has learned everything so fast. I know Peter depends on her. We all do.” Jerome stopped himself saying any more, sensing he may have been a little too enthusiastic.
“That’s lovely to hear,” Adam said softly, then he looked at Chloe. “Dessert?”
“Dani recommended the lemon tart.”
Jerome stifled a grin. “Yes, one of her personal favourites and mine.” He turned back to Adam.
“The panettone bread and butter pudding for me.”
Jerome nodded. “Well, enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“HI, GABE.”
“Hey J. How are you?” Jonathan grinned at the use of his childhood nickname.
“Not bad. You?”
“All’s good. You don’t sound so sure though.”
“I’m in between jobs at the moment but things are sorting themselves out.” Jonathan didn’t want to elaborate on why he’d lost his job.
“You need anything?” Jonathan knew he meant money.
“No, I’m fine.”
“I’ve told you before I can help you out if you need anything.”
Jonathan sighed. He’d been tempted many times to take Gabe up on his offer of a loan but he didn’t want to feel indebted to anyone. Gabe had a chain of dry cleaners and had now expanded into contract cleaning. He had become very successful in the ten years since he’d started his business.
“I know, thanks. Really, I’ll be fine.”
“So what can I do for you?”
“I need some supplies from your guy.”
“I see.”
“Some Meridia and something for me.”
“The usual?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to him and call you.”
“Great.”
“And come round so we can catch up, it’s been ages.”
“Sure, I’d like that.”
JEROME LEANED UP AGAINST the stainless steel work surface thoughtfully pulling at his lip, watching Carmen put the finishing touches on the limoncello lemon tart. He was feeling out of sorts and he wasn’t exactly sure what specifically was bothering him. He sighed deeply.
“What time did Capo leave?”
“About half an hour ago.”
“Hmm.”
“You look very pensive. You okay?” Carmen looked up at him as she pushed the finish plate into the server’s area.
“Uh-huh. You think you could put a piece of that in a takeout box?”
“Sure. For you?”
“No. Actually put the tart, some amaretto chocolate cake, the cheesecake and throw in a few cannolis too. Send it out to table twenty-four, it’s for them.”
“Sure.”
Jerome straightened and went out to the restaurant heading towards where Peter was.
“Table twenty-four.”
“Adam’s table?” confirmed Peter.
“Coffees and liqueurs on the house.”
“Actually Dani’s paying for the whole bill. She asked me not to mention it to them until right at the end, otherwise they’d hold back while ordering. She’s going to settle up tomorrow.”
“Right, er, well in that case let me sort that out with her when she does.”
Peter furrowed his brow at the comment. “Sure.”
“She’s worked a lot of hours and done the decorations.” Jerome looked around the restaurant gesturing with a swipe of his hand. “I think it’s only right we waive the bill,” explained Jerome.
“Oh, I see. Well yes. So when she asks tomorrow, you want her to talk to you?“ Peter clarified.
“Yes.” Jerome smiled tightly at him. “Right I’m off. I’ll just go and say bye to a few tables.”
“Okay. See you in the morning.”
Peter watched Jerome do what he did best. He moved smoothly from one table to the next, checking everything was up to standard and charmed his way around until he stopped at Adam’s table.
“It was nice to see you again Chloe. I’ve asked the kitchen to pack up some extra desserts for you to take home.”
“Oh wow, that’s so kind of you.”
“For the children… and Dani.”
“Thank you,” added Adam. He narrowed his eyes slightly. “Everything has been really lovely, as always.”
“Well good night.”
Both Chloe and Adam wished him a good night and then asked for their bill.
They arrived home to find Dani in the sitting room curled up on the sofa watching TV. It was just past ten thirty.
“Hey, did everyone behave?”
“Of course. They were angels.” Dani uncurled herself, stretching. “Did you have a good time?”
“Yes we did and what you did was very naughty, but thank you all the same.” Chloe bent down and hugged her sister. “We brought desserts.” Chloe grinned widely.
“Oh you shouldn’t have.”
“We didn’t.”
Dani gave a puzzled look at Adam’s comment. “Jerome sent them for you and the kids.” Adam arched an eyebrow. “He had nothing but praise for you, by the way.”
Dani squirmed in her seat, thrilled that Jerome had firstly spoken about her and secondly purposely sent desserts. She stood up trying to behave unaffected but the slight flush that coloured her cheeks betrayed her true feelings.
“Really? Oh that was nice of him.”
“Yes it was,” Adam said dryly.
“I hope he put in some limoncello lemon tart in.”
Adam huffed and walked through to the kitchen with the box of desserts closely followed by Dani and Chloe.
“I don’t think the kids are going to get a look in!” giggled Chloe. Adam shook his head placing the boxes on the kitchen table and pulled open the drawer with the cutlery.
“Don’t judge me. I don’t get out much,” whined Chloe. She slumped into a chair and grabbed a spoon from Adam’s hand.
Dani chuckled and Adam grinned at Chloe. He turned to Dani and handed her a spoon. “Thanks for tonight. You shouldn’t have.”
“It’s the very least I could do after all you’ve done for me. It was my pleasure. Now shut up and pass me that tart.”
“Spoken like a true Knox. Nothing comes between you and desserts.”