Page 107 of Only Just Begun

“My favorite kind,” Ted said. “Let’s go and have a chat with Mr. a-hole.” As they walked, Lenny filled him in on all the details he knew about the guest.

The restaurant was full, and he could see a lot of the guests were all turned, watching the man who was yelling. With him was Gwen, one of Ted’s most experienced waitresses.

“Your staff are bad mannered, and your food is disgusting. I—”

“I’ll handle this, Gwen.” Ted reached the table, which had four other people at it. Offering his waitress a reassuring smile, he nudged her away.

“What seems to be the problem, Mr. Cartwright?”

“The problem is this meal was shit, and the service the same.”

He’d been drinking heavily; Ted could smell it on the man’s breath. He knew the sort. Lots of money, but not a lot else to recommend him.

“We pride ourselves here on the quality of our food and service—”

“Are you saying I’m lying?” The man pushed his face closer to Ted’s. “I want to speak to someone in authority.”

Ted stuck out his hand. “Ted Hosking, owner.”

The man blinked.

“Your place is the worst I’ve ever been to.”

“Excellent, you won’t mind leaving then.” Ted signaled to the two security guards Lenny had called. “My staff will help you pack. I’ll call a car to drive you out of Ryker Falls.”

“What!” The man didn’t look quite so belligerent now.

“Let me make something clear to you, Mr. Cartwright. I have excellent, well-trained staff, and my chefs are the best there is. I will not allow anyone to abuse them… ever,” he added softly. “Therefore, as they are not leaving, you are.”

Ted turned and walked away.

“Give everyone in here a free glass of something, Lenny,” he said as he passed his manager. Ted didn’t realize he was heading to the kitchens until he looked up and saw the doors.

“Edward?”

Turning, he found a woman. He searched her face but didn’t recognize her.

“I’m sorry, have we met?”

“It’s me, Anna Tait.”

“Anna?”

She nodded. She’d aged, as had he, but he could find no sign of the girl he’d once loved… or thought he had.

Her face was perfectly made up, clothes expensive. But there was a hard edge to her she hadn’t had as a teenager.

“I’m sorry about that back there. Peter, my husband, can be a bit aggressive when he drinks.”

“He’s your husband?” Ted was shocked.

“Second one.” Her smile was brittle.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t have my staff abused.”

“You’ve changed.” She touched his arm again.

“We all change, Anna, time makes that happen.”And circumstance, he added silently.

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