Page 17 of Promise Me Ever After
“Somewhere, I expect. She said something about talking to the local newspaper, so she’s probably basking in her hour of glory right now.”
“Then you should get ready for them to announce the winners of the favours. I imagine that’s a good news angle.” He slapped me on the shoulder. “Seriously, Alex, I’m impressed.”
I held his words in my head. Marcus had a Michelin star to his name from a previous restaurant he’d worked at in Cornwall. His praise meant a lot.
Twenty minutes later, I entered the main restaurant and made a beeline for the bar, where I knew Curtis was. At least I’d be able to get a couple of drinks before facing up to whichever horror story I’d end up cooking for.
“Ah, there he is!” Amber sat on one of the high stools at the end of the bar. “Nice cooking, bro.”
I went over to join her. “Such praise from my little sister.” I grinned at Curtis. “Can I get a pint, mate, I’m gagging.”
“I can’t believe your stupid cooking thing is more popular than the Blossom spa day.” Amber pouted. “There was a woman who woulddefinitelyhave benefited from one of our Million Dollar facials and she blanked me for one of the chef prizes.”
Curtis placed a pint on the counter, and I immediately picked it up and drained half in one go. The amber liquid was a godsend. The kitchen had been hotter than I was used to, and I swear I’d sweated off several pounds during that one service.
“What can I say? I’m much more attractive than you.”
She made a face. “Mum, tell him he shouldn’t be so arrogant.”
I felt a hand on my shoulder, then Mum kissing my cheek.
“Given the amazing feedback I’m getting about tonight’s dinner, he can be as arrogant as he wants.”
I turned to face her. “Really? People have been saying good things?”
Mum raised a finger to Curtis, and he instantly organised a massive glass of gin and tonic for her. “Almost to the point that it needs to be a more regular event. Perhaps twice a year instead of once. It’s something I’ll need to talk about with the higher management, but if the local charities are benefitting, then I don’t see why we wouldn’t want to do it.”
“Marcus said if I wanted to work here, he’d give me a job.” I shrugged, finishing off my pint and gesturing to Curtis I needed a refill.
“Alex, that would be wonderful!” Mum clapped her hands in excitement.
Amber laughed. “Oh God, I can just imagine you two working together all the time.”
“I can think of nothing worse.” I pulled a face, then reached for my newly full pint glass.
“Oh, look, Melody Johnson and the ladies from the tennis club are on their own.” Sonya grabbed Amber’s arm. “Why don’t we go and talk to them about your spa day prize? I reckon we can get them to make a late bid. Alex, do you mind?”
“As long as you don’t mention anything about me, go ahead.” I raised my glass. “Curtis can keep me entertained with all the gossip until my fate is confirmed.” Seriously, Melody Johnson would be one of the women who would scare the bejesus out of me if I was in a one-on-one situation with her. I shuddered.
Once Mum and Amber had left, Curtis turned to me. “Good night?”
The few minutes I’d spent outside with Georgie had been the highlight of the evening,so far.I scanned the room for her, but there was no sign.
“Yeah, it’s been good.”
“Did you see Georgie?”
My mind went back to our exchange outside. Her pulse had definitely raced when I touched her. I yearned to touch her again. “Mmmhmm.”
He turned away to serve a couple of blokes who had come to the bar, which gave me time to work out how to properly respond to that question. While I waited, an older couple came up to me to chat about what I might cook for them if they were successful with their bid. We chatted about classic cooking, old school family favourites and my mouth watered. I was starving. I hadn’t eaten since lunchtime. Fingers crossed the chippy was still open by the time I got away from here.
“Alex, you ready?” Marcus asked.
Finally, the time had come to announce the winners. I followed Marcus and the three other chefs onto the raised platform which doubled as a stage. The evening’s MC brought the room to attention, then Marcus made a speech about the success of the entire event and raucous applause rang out.
“It’s now my pleasure to announce the winners of the silent auction.” He waved a piece of paper in the air and I tried to see if I could read what was on it. “These talented chefs will provide you with a meal and an evening to remember.”
A loud wolf whistle rang through the air and I swear it came from Melody Johnson.Please God, don’t let it be her.I breathed a sigh of relief when she was announced as the winner for Marcus’s lot. My gaze fell on the couple I’d been talking to at the bar. Cooking for them wouldn’t be so bad. Marcus got the crowd’s attention again and I tuned back in.
