‘But how are you going to manage it?’
‘We’ll just take fewer bookings when he’s not around. And for the time off I might need. Don’t worry, we’ll work it out between us. And it’ll be a lot easier in a few weeks when I can tell him about the pregnancy.’
‘As long as you don’t overdo it by trying to do everything. I know what you’re like.’
She kissed him on the lips. ‘Don’t worry, Alex, I have every intention of keeping this baby safe and that’s more important than any function.’
Alex smiled. ‘Things really are going to change for us, aren’t they?’
‘They certainly are.’
Chapter Five
Jay finished preparing the pigeon for the starter, then placed it on a baking sheet and slid it into the chiller. The tables had already been set out in preparation for the small function that evening and, later on, two of Liz’s regular staff would come in to set everything up. He thought fondly of the time when Emma had still been a student and had been one of them. He remembered how excited he’d felt waiting for her to come into work. But now that she was qualified, he understood her need to gain more experience. He just wished she was working somewhere she was appreciated.
As tonight’s function was for twenty people, Jay would be cooking with another part-timer to help out. Sometimes he missed the camaraderie of the restaurant kitchen and the thrill of a busy service. On a whim he decided to go downstairs to seek some company. Service would just about be over and, as some of the chefs had moved across from La Emporium when Diva’s had opened, there was bound to be someone he could have a chat with.
To his surprise, Roberto the owner-chef was in the kitchen. It was rare to see him there these days — he usually left the day-to-day running to his new executive chef, Tom. Life had changed for Roberto when he’d had his first child, who was now sixteen months old, and he’d become determined to create a better work-life balance so that he didn’t miss too much of his daughter growing up. Jay was a little envious. He’d love to buy a house, set up home and have a family himself, but that was way in the future. Right now, his career had to come first.
Roberto greeted him enthusiastically as he hovered by the entrance to the kitchen. ‘Jay, how are you? Long time no see.’ Roberto walked over and hugged him, giving him a hefty clap on the back.
‘I’m good. And how about you? Is that daughter of yours keeping you in line?’
Roberto laughed. ‘Oh, she certainly is. She definitely knows who’s boss and it’s not me or her mother.’ He paused and then added, ‘But I can scarcely remember a time when we didn’t have her. It feels like she’s been with us for ever.’
‘I’m so happy for you, for you both.’
Since Jay had left La Emporium, he’d formed a relationship with his former boss that he’d never had before. When Jay had been Roberto’s employee, Louis had been in charge and hadn’t liked anyone other than himself getting too friendly with the chef. But Jay respected Roberto both as a man and as a chef, and was always ready to take any advice he had to give.
‘And how are the functions going? I see you have a small party in tonight.’
‘Yes, they’re good. Steady. We’ve had a few big ones in recently.’
‘Not as big as the christening you did the other day, though?’
Jay laughed. ‘Nothing gets past you, does it, Roberto?’
‘I might not be around as much as I used to be, but I like to keep my fingers in the pies — just to check they are hot enough.’
‘You’re a wise man, although Tom seems to have things under control.’
‘Yes, he does.’ Roberto glanced towards his executive chef, who was supervising the clean-down after the lunchtime service. Soon all the chefs would get something to eat, before starting on the prep for the evening service. Life in the kitchen was certainly busy. ‘And La Emp is doing well too, so I’m a very happy man. I do like to pop in when they’re least expecting it, just to keep them on their toes.’
‘And I bet you send your spies in incognito from time to time too.’
Roberto chuckled. ‘Ah, you know me too well. Have you got time for a coffee?’
‘I do,’ Jay replied. ‘Everything is prepped for tonight and it would be good to have a catch-up.’
‘Let me get you one, then, and we can go through to the restaurant.’
When they were seated at one of the empty tables, Roberto turned to him. ‘So, are you still enjoying working with Liz?’
‘I am, yes. It’s different every day.’
‘Don’t miss the restaurant life, then?’
Jay decided to be honest. ‘I do a bit. I like having more creative control, but I’d still like to have my own restaurant one day.’
