Page 16 of The Chef

“Hello,” she repeats, out of breath from her quick trip from the back of the restaurant to the front. “Welcome to Rockpool, how may I help you?”

Her voice has got an accent behind it, but I can’t tell from where. Maybe European?

Stay focused on what’s happening right now, this interview’s so important to think about what accent she has.

“My name’s Bay,” I say with a smile. “Bay Dover. I’m here for an interview.”

The woman’s eyes light up as she recognizes my name. “Ah, Bay! Lovely to meet you, I’m Dominika.” She raises her hand for me to shake. “We spoke via email. Thanks for coming, you’re earlier than I expected.”

“Oh, is that a problem. I can wait in my car if you want.”

Shit. Of course, you knew coming too early would somehow bite you on the ass, Bay.

Dominika laughs. “Of course not. Don’t be silly.” She waves her hand around the restaurant. “We’re so quiet tonight so how about we get started now. Come with me to the manager’s office.”

I follow her towards the back of the restaurant, to near the kitchens. The heat from there wafts over me and I’m reminded of all the past waitressing jobs I’ve had before. I’m an old hand at a place like this. Restaurants, and especially kitchens, are like my second home. I’ve spent a lot of time in them. In fact, it was at a Michelin-starred place in Melbourne where I learned how to cook. The chef there was really friendly and would teach me everything in the kitchen during breaks and downtime. I learned a lot there, amongst the pans and the flames and the yelling chefs. That’s where my passion for cooking came from. That’s why I would like to open a bakery shop.

Dominika ushers me into a side office at the back. The room is full of documents and files, with one very old computer sitting on the desk. She sits behind the desk and gestures me to sit in the other chair. I do so, gripping my hands together so that they don’t shake.

I’m so goddamn nervous. Quit your shaking, Bay.

It’s only because I know how important this job is that I’m so riled up. I know how vital it is I get this waitressing position. I need the money. Fisher, Davy, and Pearl need the money.

“Have you dined here before, Bay?” Dominika asks.

“No, I haven’t. I’m new in town.”

“Oh,” Dominika leans back in her chair and stares at me with her pale blue eyes. She has a penetrating gaze that seems to beam right through me. I shift, uncomfortable and anxious, in my seat. “Well, let me introduce this place to you, we’ve been around for a few years. We’re owned by the Finn family. Do you know them?” she asks.

I shake my head.

The Finn family? The way she says their name makes them sound like a Mafia gang.

“They’re a rich and very famous family in New Water. One of them owns the restaurant properly, Cliff Finn.”

“Right.”

Haven’t heard of him.

“Cliff thinks he’s in charge, but I have him - what’s the English phrase - by the balls. He may be rich, but in here he answers to me.”

I laugh and Dominika warmly smiles.

I like her.

“Do you have your resume?” she asks. I hastily nod and pull out my papers from my bag and slide them across the desk. Dominika quickly darts her eyes over them then back up to me, barely reading my credentials. “Tell me about yourself.”

Don’t screw this up, Bay.

“Um,” I reply, my lips dry. I’m so freakin’ nervous. “I’m twenty-seven and, as I’ve said, I’m new to New Water.”

“Interesting. Past experiences?”

“I’ve done a variety of jobs, mainly waitressing, around the country for the last ten years or so.”

“Bouncing around, I get it. I’ve done my fair share of that.”

“Yeah, just working in lots of different restaurants.”