19
On Monday afternoon, Lou met Aidan at the school gates and they all walked together to the restaurant. Both children were happy to be spending the rest of the day together and excited about tonight’s dinner. They’d arranged it for everyone to come at six, so that it wouldn’t run too late for Bo and Jack.
‘They’re pretty much joined at the hip, aren’t they?’ Aidan said, smiling as Jack and Bo trotted on ahead, babbling together.
‘Yeah. Jack’s kind of obsessed.’
‘Bo ditto.’
Aidan opened up the restaurant and they all trailed through the dining room into the kitchen. ‘Do you two want to go and play upstairs while Lou and I prep dinner?’ Aidan asked the children.
Bo and Jack looked at each other, then simultaneously shook their heads.
‘We want to help,’ Bo said.
‘Okay, great. You can be our commis chefs.’
He flicked on all the lights and the kitchen lit up, all the surfaces sparkling. It was weird seeing it so quiet and empty. A thrill of excitement shivered down Lou’s spine at having theplace to themselves, this whole kitchen with its abundantly stocked storeroom and industrial ovens at their disposal.
‘Let’s have a cuppa first and plan the menu,’ he said to Lou. ‘Do you guys want a drink?’
He made tea and poured juice for Jack and Bo and took them to the break area, where they all sat around the table.
‘Starter?’ Aidan asked Lou, tapping a pen on the A4 pad in front of him.
‘We’re having fish for main, so I suppose we should go with something veggie or meat based?’
Aidan shrugged. ‘It doesn’t matter. Some restaurants around here only serve fish and seafood. I got some great crab this morning.’
‘Crab salad? Or a crab bruschetta?’
Aidan nodded. ‘With some lime and coriander and a chilli mayonnaise…’
‘Sounds good.’
‘Now, what sauce should we have with the sea bass?’
Lou couldn’t believe she was sitting here helping Aidan plan a menu, and she was flattered that he was asking her opinion about the dishes they’d serve. It gave her a taste of the world she’d longed to be part of.
‘What should we have for dessert?’ he asked Bo when they’d made final decisions on the starters and mains.
‘Chocolate!’
Jack nodded vigorously in agreement.
‘You just want to lick the spoon.’ Aidan ruffled Bo’s hair.
‘Not just the spoon. The bowl too.’
Lou laughed.
‘How do you feel about chocolate dessert?’ Aidan asked Lou.
‘I’m in favour. And not just because our assistants might go on strike if we have anything else.’
‘Okay, let’s get this show on the road,’ Aidan said, rubbing his hands when they’d decided on chocolate fondants for dessert and they’d all trooped back to the kitchen. ‘Bo, we need limes, lemons, garlic, capers, chives and coriander. Can you show Jack where everything is?’
‘Okay.’ Bo led the way to the storeroom, Jack following behind, while Aidan pulled on his chef’s jacket.
