Page 53 of Eden's Comfort Kitchen
Annoyed at the train of thought, she scowled, and then he looked up at the window and caught it. Good. He wasn’t here to make friends, and she couldn’t allow him to see any weakness.
Livia appeared at her side. ‘Hmm…’ she said, following Eden’s gaze. ‘There’s a turn-up for the books. Didn’t think he’d actually come.’
‘Me neither.’
‘So that’s a win for us straight off.’
Eden turned to her. ‘Is it?’
‘Of course. He’s intrigued enough to be here and, let’s face it, we couldn’t very well win him over if he hadn’t even been here to win over, could we?’
‘Well, there’s a logic in there somewhere,’ Eden said with a smile. ‘I certainly can’t fault it.’
‘Shall I go and meet him at the door? He’s going to have his defences up as soon as he sees you, but I might be able to disarm him – he’ll have to be on his best behaviour for me, after all, because I’m a stranger.’
‘You’re not, because he met you at the pub, and I don’t think he does best behaviour for anyone. He doesn’t think he owes people the basic courtesies the rest of us do.’
‘That sounds a bit harsh,’ Livia said, and Eden could see the doubt in her expression.
‘Trust me, I know it does, but I also know him. The world owes him a living, and he owes it nothing. He takes what he wants and doesn’t care who goes without so he can have it, and the only people worth his time are those he wants to sweet-talk because they can do something for him.’
‘Must be why he’s come then,’ Livia said, laughing lightly. ‘Because he knows we have something he wants. Don’t forget, that’s another advantage we have.’
‘It’s not much of one,’ Eden said ruefully. ‘I’m under no illusions that this is a long shot and it’ll be a miracle if weactually manage to change his mind. It’s just the only shot we’ve got as far as I can tell. But if he wanted to, he could have this place off us tomorrow. He’s probably only here because he finds it funny that I’d even challenge him at all.’
‘Well then,’ Livia said, turning to leave the kitchen, ‘like a giant-killing FA Cup upset, we’ll just have to give him the shock of his life, won’t we?’
A couple of minutes later, Livia returned with Cam in tow. Nobody else in the kitchen had taken much notice of Livia and Eden discussing him at the window, but now that he was here, every eye turned to see. If he felt their scrutiny, he didn’t show it. He was as cool and nonchalant as always, a fact that riled Eden before they’d even spoken a word of greeting. She was going to have to get a hold of this dislike otherwise she was going to lose this battle in no time at all.
‘Afternoon,’ he said, sweeping his gaze over the assembled volunteers. ‘I’m Cameron – though my friends call me Cam.’
‘Hello, Cam!’ everyone else said.
Julia wiped her hands on a dishcloth and went over to shake his. ‘I’m Livia’s mum, Julia.’
He smiled as he took her hand. ‘Livia’s mum? No way! You couldn’t be old enough!’
Julia laughed, but she gave him a look that said she knew how this game was played too. ‘I think you might be telling me a little white lie, but I’ll take the compliment.’
Cam’s hand went to his chest in a dramatic gesture of innocence. ‘I would never!’
‘Right…’ Julia nodded to Eden. ‘I believe you two are well acquainted.’
‘Hi,’ Eden said. ‘It’s good to see you.’
He raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
‘Yes,’ Eden said, ‘despite what you think, it really is. We’re always grateful for extra hands, and tonight is going to be a busy one.’
Everyone introduced themselves and greeted him in turn while Eden shared a significant look with Livia. Battle had already commenced.
‘Right,’ Julia said, turning back to Eden once the formalities were over. ‘Where do you want Cam?’
‘Um…what do you think?’ Eden asked her. ‘Something straightforward?’ She looked at Cam. ‘What are your culinary skills like?’
‘Well, I know the right way to open an oyster, and I can sear a tuna steak to perfection. What level of skill does that suggest to you?’
‘There won’t be much call for searing tuna steaks,’ Eden said, wryly acknowledging his sarcasm. ‘But we do need some tins opening and seasoning and some peppers and onions dicing for the tuna pasta bake. In fact, we need some cheese grating for that too. Think I can leave you with those tasks?’
