Adam laughed. ‘Remember when we went to Colorado and she asked for a glass of condensation at that health spa?’
Paul started to laugh with him. ‘And when she said she could only have organic essence of anything.’
Christa inwardly rolled her eyes and sighed. This ex sounded like a nightmare and the exact opposite of herself.
‘When is she coming?’ asked Christa. ‘I just need to know so I can catch the morning dew and forage wintry smoke flavours in the evening.’
The table burst out laughing and Christa felt Marc’s hand on her forearm.
‘Sorry, that was bitchy,’ she said. ‘I’m sure she’s lovely.’
‘God that’s hilarious,’ he said then, putting his other hand over his face, still chuckling.
His firm grasp on her arm wasn’t too tight or too heavy. She swore she could feel every muscle in his hand, down to the tendons in his fingers. It sent a shiver up her arm and her skin prickled in response.
The sound of her phone ringing interrupted the moment and she grabbed it from the bench and saw Zane’s name pop up.
‘Excuse me,’ she said to the table and walked out of the room.
‘Hey,’ she said.
‘Hi, Christa, I hate to call at the last minute but is there any chance you can come and help tonight? We have two people out with colds.’
Christa checked the time. It was after nine. ‘Can I meet you at the van after you’ve left?’
‘That’d be great. We’re going to be down on Coppergate if you want to meet us there.’
‘Fantastic. Do you need me to bring anything?’
‘Just yourself – that’s more than enough.’
Christa put her phone in the pocket of her jeans and paused, trying to think of an excuse to leave. What would Marc say if she said she had to leave now and go and feed some homeless people? Maybe she should just tell him. Surely he would understand.
She walked back into the kitchen and saw that Marc had opened a bottle of dessert wine and the three men were drinking from elegant glasses.
‘Everything okay?’ asked Marc. ‘Come and have a drink. This is a wonderful wine from a vineyard in France that I own.’
Christa didn’t even know how to respond to that. Marc was drinking wine from a vineyard he owned and she was being asked to help people who needed it most. It annoyed her deeply. He wouldn’t understand. His childhood might have been troubled but he was so far removed from the everyday trials of people struggling she wanted to tip the wine down the sink and drag him to the food van and show him the reality for so many.
She started packing the dishwasher with the plates and cutlery and then put the pans and baking dishes into the industrial dishwasher in the butler’s pantry.
‘Don’t do that,’ she heard Marc say as she closed the door of the machine and turned I it on. ‘Come and sit with us.’
‘I can’t.’ She could hardly contain the anger in her voice as she replied. ‘I have to head out. Do you need anything else done before I go?’
She pulled off her apron and threw it onto the bench.
‘Are you okay? What happened? Who was on the phone?’ he asked, his face concerned.
‘I’m fine.’
She walked into the kitchen and pulled her coat and bag down from the hook.
‘Happy birthday, Adam. I hope you had a lovely day and enjoyed the cake.’
Adam and Paul looked at her and her coat. ‘Where are you going?’ Paul asked.
‘I’m meeting a friend,’ she said.
