‘I’m best woman, apparently, and we’ve been told our boys are carrying the rings?’ Tina tells me.
‘I know because I’ll be behind them making sure they don’t drop them. I’m the maid of honour.’
Tina claps her hands, excitedly. ‘I hope they really foof us up. I want lace on lace.’
‘In mint green. With a hat and puffy sleeves.’
‘Like a frilly tube of toothpaste.’
I knock my head back in laughter. I hope not, though.
A phone suddenly rings in the kitchen… one ring turns to five rings and I see Tina stare at it as she tries to flip a steak.
‘Jo, be a babe and answer that. We only have three people out front today.’
I salute and do as I’m told, coughing to prepare my voice. ‘Evening, you’re through to Quattro, how can I help?’ I say, in my best business voice.
‘Oh hi! I… I… So can I check, is this the Quattro that does catering?’ the person asks.
‘Yes, we cater for parties, birthdays, small weddings…’ I look up and Brett is pulling a zombie face. ‘Oh, and wakes, for example.’
‘That’s great. I… Look, I’m wondering if you could help me. I was at a party a couple of nights ago and you catered at it… I’ve been trying to track them down…This is quite difficult to say…’
Please don’t tell me you came down with food poisoning.
‘But I got chatting to one of your staff. I think she was the manager, her name was Josie.’
There’s a pause as I realise who’s on the end of the phone.
‘Spengler?’ I blurt out.
‘Wow, that was a stroke of luck.’
Tina glances over at me, probably confused as my complexion has gone a ruddy raspberry. ‘Josie, if it’s those fruit vendors again, then tell them to do one.’
I shake my head, not really being able to hide my frantic panic, instead putting a thumb to the air. I have to prepare what to say. I can’t speak now. I’ve had champagne. He’ll think I’m some habitual alcoholic who’s been on the bottle all week.
‘Have I caught you at work? Is it busy? I can call back if you’re busy,’ he says.
‘NO!’ I say a little too loudly. ‘Ummm, this is a surprise. How are you?’
That’s good, Josie. Keep it casual. Next, tackle the weather.
‘Still hung-over. So, I just wanted to look you up as I wanted to say sorry for just leaving like that the other night, not even writing a note. I didn’t quite know what to say to you…’
‘Oh god, it’s fine. You just had your heart chewed up and spat out, I wasn’t expecting anything.’ I think.
‘You were kind.’
‘I just know that chicken wings are a good way to heal a broken heart.’
Tina looks over curiously at that point, stopping what she’s doing to eavesdrop.
I take the phone and wander outside behind the restaurant. ‘If anything, I was more worried. Are you OK, Cameron?’
He seems surprised to hear the concern in my voice. ‘I’m getting there.’ I hear the crispy rustle of bags in the background. ‘I was just having a clear-out. My flatmate moved out and he left a load of shite and I want it out… God, I’m sorry. I’ve just met you, I feel like you’re really bearing the load of this drama…’
‘Seriously, it’s OK.’ It’s because I like hearing his voice again, even if it’s for one short moment to thank me for feeding him and giving him a shoulder to cry on.
