Page 22 of Changing Tides
The restaurant was buzzing, even though it was a Monday evening. Kasia was busy greeting guests, but she waved them to a large table by the window. Joey sat their dad down, then went in search of a highchair for Denny. They met Tierney coming the other way with exactly that.
“Thought we’d need this. You happy for us to eat with you?”
“Of course, but Kasia looks a little busy.”
“Give her a few minutes, and she’ll have time to join us. She insisted I sit down now and eat with you, so I might as well take advantage of that.”
“How’s the recruitment going?”
Tierney curled her lip. “No one suitable. This is Tom’s last week. We’re gonna be up shit creek soon.”
Joey put a hand on Tierney’s arm, stopping her before they returned to the table. “Why don’t you ask Marianne to help out for a few weeks? Just until you find someone.”
Tierney let out a bark of a laugh. “Why don’t we ask one of the country’s top chefs to come and cook fish and chips for day tourists at a fraction of what she’s used to earning? Great plan, Joey.” She playfully slapped them on the arm. “I know you want to help everyone, but not all problems are that easily fixed.”
Joey followed her back to the table, keeping their voice low. “Seems pretty simple to me. You have an urgent vacancy; she’s unemployed.”
Tierney sat down next to them, shaking her head. “I’ll mention it to Kasia, but it seems an unlikely fit.”
Perhaps if Kasia got to know Marianne it might help. She seemed to have some views about Marianne being a high maintenance diva, but Joey didn’t believe that was true.
They looked across the table to where Marianne was hunched, clutching her hands together while Tierney held a one-way conversation with Denny. Her eyes had dark shadows under them, and Joey wondered when she’d last had a solid night of sleep. Dragging everyone out to eat may have been selfish, but Joey hadn’t known how else to manage the situation. Marianne looked up, caught their gaze, and gave a small smile. Even that twitch of her lips was enough to make Joey feel warm inside. They really were screwed.
Perhaps it would be safer in the long run for Marianne to move on now, and Joey to get used to her being gone. But they couldn’t help wanting to find a way to keep her close.
Tierney eventually went to find Kasia, and she came to join them for food, but it was clear she wasn’t paying attention to the casual conversation. Joey knew she was worried about losing custom if they didn’t find a good chef. Tierney wasn’t wrong to suggest they liked to solve everyone’s problems, but this didn’t seem that complicated. It wasn’t just the Waterside that would suffer if they didn’t keep attracting customers. Joey’s business couldn’t take another hit so soon.
When Denny and their dad had finished their ice cream, Joey stood. “I’d better get everyone home. Thanks for dinner.”
Kasia stood. “Can I steal you away for two minutes?”
“Go on,” Tierney said, “and I’ll help everyone get into the van. Let’s get you up, Michael.” Tierney pulled out Joey’s dad’s chair and helped him get his jacket on while Marianne saw to Denny.
Joey followed Kasia to the office behind reception, wondering why they felt like they were being taken to see the head teacher.
Kasia dropped into a chair and rubbed her face. Joey stayed standing by the door.
She looked up. “Tierney tells me you’re trying to fix everything.”
“I’m not. I can just see an easy short-term solution, and I don’t know why everyone thinks it’s such a bad idea.”
“Does Marianne think it’s a bad idea?”
“I…haven’t mentioned it. I didn’t think it was my place.”
“So, you’ve no idea if she’s even interested?” Kasia wasn’t hiding her impatience. “But you’re touting it as the solution to all our problems. Why the hell would she want to work here, Joey? It’s as much work as the kitchen of a top restaurant, but with none of the perks.”
Joey thought living on Inishderry was a big perk, and one that Kasia, of all people, should recognize. “The last few weeks have messed her up. I don’t think she’s ready to go back into a big job. She needs to reset.”
“And when did you become her savior?” Kasia stood and faced Joey. “I see the way you look at her.” Her tone had softened, but the look of concern deepened. “Does she know?”
Joey backed toward the door, wishing Kasia didn’t understand them quite so well. “There’s nothing to know. I care about her. I care about plenty of people.”
“She’s living in your house while you sleep on your dad’s chair. That’s not usual behavior for you.”
“She’s lost, Kasia. She needs help.”
“She needs to sort her marriage out. How can she be left with nothing but a toddler? But you can’t help her with that.”
