Page 14 of Perfect Three

“On the weekends.There’s an enormous spit in the garden alongside the wood-fired oven.Brad likes to make his own bread often, and of course pizza.Generally, a pig, and either a lamb or a hunk of beef, are on the spit at the weekends.”

“Isn’t it unusual for a restaurant to go to so much variety for meals?”

“The boss figured if we gave the patrons excellent meals they’d keep coming back.It’s good, because of the separate two buildings there are clientele who only come in to eat then leave.Business has trebled since it was introduced.It’s also casual enough for families with kids but upmarket enough for business types.”

“Makes sense.I imagine once word got around, then more and more people would come.”

“Yeah, they do.Keeps us busy, but I love working here and the staff is great.It’s like a big happy family.Anyway, I’d better make it look as if I’m working.”

“Thanks, Roger.”

Lucy worked steadily until five-ten.Once she made herself a coffee in the staff room, but now she was tired and ready to go home.Most of the work had been done, and Lucy was confident she’d have it finished and ready to send to the accountant by tomorrow afternoon.She picked up her bag and went down the stairs.

A few early diners with children were settling at tables.

She wandered through the paved area.The wide courtyard area reminded her of an old cobbled street.Enormous pots, filled with brightly colored flowers spilling down their sides, were scattered here and there.At the back, against the brick wall of the neighboring building, a garden with a few tall eucalypts gave shade and more ambience to the area.

She looked back at the building she’d just left.It was much bigger than she’d thought, bigger even than the huge club area.The building itself was shaped like anEwithout the center line, made of what she thought were old sandstone blocks.The coffee shop was one end of theEjust near the entrance into the complex, together with the offices and staff common room.There were wide windows covering all along the second floor which she guessed was a large apartment or storage rooms.Must be where that large door on the right leads.

Wandering down the walkway, she found herself in the hallway alongside the main lounge room she’d been in on Saturday.Heading toward the bar, she caught sight of Roger and waved goodbye.He mouthed that he’d see her tomorrow, and Lucy nodded and left.

The drive home took longer, the traffic horrendous.She discovered there’d been an accident earlier in the afternoon, creating a backlog.She finally pulled up at home after seven.Tired, Lucy made herself a quick stir-fry and settled in front of the television to eat.

Chapter Seven

The next morning, shedecided to wear her hair down and put on a black skater dress with a thin black-patent belt.She slid on her black pumps, grabbed her bag from last night, and then drove down to the city.

Once again, she managed to park in almost the same spot.Walking down and into the courtyard Lucy was greeted warmly by Roger.

“Hi, Lucy.Boss should be back early this arvo.He’ll probably drive you crazy.”

Lucy laughed.“That’s okay.Everything’s organized.Just have a couple more reports to print out.I’ll do a last-minute check to make sure everything’s ready to go.”

“Boss called me late yesterday and again this morning worrying.”Roger grinned.“It’ll make him one happy man to know it’s under control!”

“I hope so.”

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