15
On the last Friday in September, Aidan reluctantly left his sous-chef, Shane, to run the lunch service at Coast so he could go on a date with Cara’s second set-up. He didn’t have high hopes for the date and he wanted to get it out of the way without sacrificing another of his Monday nights off. He still resented giving up precious time with his daughter for dinner with Emma. He arrived at the restaurant where they were meeting to find Catherine sitting at a high table in the bar area. She was texting on her phone but looked up as he entered and slipped off her stool to greet him.
‘Hi, I’m Catherine.’ She held out her hand and they shook.
‘Aidan. Great to meet you. Sorry you had to wait.’
‘No, it’s fine. I was early.’
A waiter came to show them to their table. Catherine picked up her things and they followed him into the main room. When they were seated, she ordered a glass of white wine and Aidan opted for water. ‘I have to work later, so I want to keep a clear head,’ he told her.
‘I’m a little nervous,’ Catherine said, her fingers twisting around the stem of her wine glass. ‘So I need the Dutch courage.’
‘I hope I’m not that scary!’ Aidan said with a laugh.
‘Oh, no. It’s just this is my first date in ages. I’m out of practice.’
‘Me too.’
‘But I was really excited to meet you. Actually…’ She hesitated, then dug into a capacious bag beside her on the banquette. ‘I hope this isn’t weird, but I got you something.’
‘Oh?’ Aidan felt wrong-footed.Was bringing gifts for dates a thing now?
She pulled out a teddy bear and handed it to him. It was dressed as a chef, complete with white jacket, houndstooth trousers and toque. He even had a red neckerchief.
‘Wow, that’s… really nice. Thank you.’ Where did Cara come up with all these weirdos?
Catherine smiled, her cheeks flushing.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t get you anything.’
‘Oh, no! I wouldn’t expect you to. It was just a silly whim of mine,’ she said with a self-deprecating shrug.
‘Well, he’s really cute.’ Aidan sat the bear beside him on the banquette. ‘Did you go to one of those build-a-bear things?’
‘No, he’s just a regular teddy bear. I made the clothes myself.’
‘Oh, right.’ Not so much of a whim, then. Aidan took a gulp of water. He was already wishing for this date to be over, and it had only just started. If only he could cut and run now. He was beginning to see the merits of speed dating. Still, at least he could have a nice lunch. He’d chosen one of his favourite restaurants in Dingle, so he knew the food would be good. He’d just focus on that.
‘So, what are you going to have?’ he asked, picking up the menu.
‘Oh, I’m not eating.’
He looked up at her in shock. ‘You’re not?’
‘No, I had lunch before I came. But you go ahead.’ She nodded to the menu in his hands.
Aidan ran his eyes over the dishes, but he’d lost his appetite. ‘You should have said. I wouldn’t have suggested meeting in a restaurant.’
‘Oh no, please. It’s fine. I’m sure you’re hungry. I don’t want to spoil your lunch.’
Too late for that.
‘I like a man with a healthy appetite,’ she said. ‘And you’re a chef. I’m sure you like to eat.’
‘I do.’But not as performance art.‘Why don’t we go somewhere else? We could just get a drink? Or go for a coffee or something? That is, if you drink coffee?’
Catherine gave a tinkling laugh. ‘I do drink coffee. But please – order something. I’m perfectly comfortable with just having a drink. I’ll get another glass of wine.’
