Berry Flavours (8 page)

Chapter Eleven

It was clearly early daylight, which by Clancy’s calculations had to be about six o’clock, if not a bit later.

She added up on her fingers. Today would be the twenty-third of December. It flickered through her head her restaurant,
Jones and Jones
would be jumping by lunchtime today, catering to the groups for Christmas.

She hoped the pang she felt was hunger. She did not want to be missing Dad and the new bride on her home turf.

She sat up on the chesterfield, fully aware of where she was and easily remembering the events of the night before. But as she hadn’t heard a thing after Marlie and Berry had left the house she had no idea what to expect next.

She groped around for her jeans and it was then she saw all her bags had been taken to the office, including her handbag. Berry must have brought them sometime in the night.

A quick dash to the loo, and checking the main bathroom was clear, she took a shower, using the fresh towels there. She dressed, spun her hair into a loose twist, pinned it and ventured into the kitchen.

The supper dishes from the night before had been cleared away, the dishwasher was humming and a new caterer’s pack of rich espresso coffee sat on the sink alongside one of the restaurant’s coffee plungers.

She checked the cupboards for the kettle and set about making coffee.

Berry came in through the side door carrying a bag which he set on the bench. “Morning.” He took another two steps, gathered her into a quick hug and kissed her cheek.

Warmth trilled up and down her spine. “Morning.” Clancy took in the crumpled clothes from last night and, his red-rimmed eyes. “So it was a late, late night?”

“It was three-thirty before I got back here. Marlie made a song and dance about taking Greg home, and when she couldn’t wake him up she started to panic.” He brought his hands to his face and rubbed vigorously. “In the end I hoisted him into her car, told her to drive and I followed them back to the estate, hauled him into his own bed, the stupid bastard, and left Marlie there looking after him.”

“You look done in.”

“I am. And I’m looking forward to this breakfast.” He reached into the bag and brought out eggs, bread and bacon. “Simple but effective.” Clancy stood for a minute, uncertain. Then he said, “And you’re going to cook it while I have a shower.” And he was gone down the hallway.

Surreal. Some sort of dream weaving. She was in a man’s kitchen, cooking his breakfast while he went off and had a shower. Maybe she’d slept through a couple of years last night.

But tired as he was, he looked good from the back, striding down the hall and disappearing into his bedroom.

Maybe he’d need his back scrubbed.

But he hadn’t invited her so... She waited till he was back at the breakfast bench before cooking the eggs.

He cupped his hands around the freshly brewed mug of coffee and breathed in the aroma. “Not scared off?”

“I’m a bit bewildered by everything. It’s been a strange few days.” She cracked eggs into a pan, the instant sizzle a comfort. Eggs and bacon, simple but effective.

“Hope I can unbewilder you. They’re just a strange, needy family.”

Clancy served up, eggs from the pan, bacon from the oven and toast from under the grill. Butter, salt and pepper, Spring Gully Worcestershire sauce to finish, and breakfast was heaven on a plate. “Seems Marlie likes to get herself into the mix quite a bit.”

“Not long back there was talk of Mac and Marlie getting married. I don’t know what happened. Clearly Marlie hadn’t called anything off. She’s watched Greg grow up, feels maternal about him, I suppose.” Berry tucked into breakfast. He chewed a few mouthfuls then said, “Heidi doesn’t think a lot of Greg, but that hasn’t stopped Marlie.” Another few mouthfuls. “But wait, there’s more.”

Clancy had the feeling today would be a long day.

“While I was there last night, Marlie told me Mac had a firm group booking for his Christmas lunch, paid for in advance. So now there are at least forty-five people out there who don’t know they haven’t got a lunch to go to.”

Clancy added a few things together. “And the advance payment has been spent.”

“Correct.” Berry kept eating.

“Tricky.” Clancy waited. She couldn’t work out where this was going, but she knew it would involve her somehow. “So, Marlie will have to contact everyone from the bookings and re-schedule...”

“She has other ideas.” He scraped his plate, loaded the last of his bacon and eggs on to his fork and savoured the last mouthful. “She wants me... us, to do Christmas lunch for the forty-five.”

At first Clancy thought it should have been easy. Berry’s own restaurant wasn’t scheduled to open on Christmas Day.

But why would he entertain ideas of rescuing his mortal enemy? The green eyes gazed at her. “I can see things ticking over in there.”

“Not what you think.” She vaguely remembered her idea for the verandah restaurant on Mac’s estate, but dismissed it when she thought of the logistics. She finished her breakfast, poured another coffee for both of them. “The pub?”

“That would take more time than we have, even if everything worked down there, like the staff, for instance.”

She smiled with him. “Can’t see another way around it. Unless you’re thinking of here on Christmas Day. Do you have staff?”

He shook his head. “No. There’d be a mutiny if I tried that one.”

She sipped coffee. He wasn’t coming forward with anything to work with. Clancy frowned. “I need more information.”

Berry leaned back in his seat. “What could we do here to cater on the day, you and me, with no fuss?”

She put her cup down. “Seriously? By the twenty-fifth? There wouldn’t be enough provisions here, and Mac hadn’t even ordered anything...”

“Someone had. All the food’s there in the house coolroom.” He tucked his chin back and screwed up his features “‘All plain and nuthin’ fancy’. I can’t do the boss-eye, though.” He sat forward. “We can be preparing in the kitchen here the next two nights. Heidi can take care of our customers with the staff, and you and I can be working alongside her. Marlie said Mac wanted pavs, roasted meats, veggies. Easy.”

Clancy stared. “Yes, easy. But you’re going to take him to court next month, why help him out now?”

“Oh, I’m no angel. If
Berry Flavours
can supply a lunch for forty-five people who would otherwise be lunch-less, well, feather in my cap.”

“Not out of the kindness of your heart then.”

“Look, Mac’s not all bad. He’s just arrogant, loud. Has a sad son. And he’s in trouble.” Berry lifted his shoulders. “And next month is next month.”

“And the bill?”

“Marlie will have a refrigerated van to bring all Mac’s food here today. We’ll use Mac’s wines and beers, so there’ll only be your wages.” He gave a wry grin. “I’ll tack it on to my court claim.”

There wasn’t much she could say. Easy roast dinners for a small group wasn’t a problem. “And how do we get to these forty-five to notify them?”

He reached over and squeezed her hand. “That’s Marlie’s job.” He stood and cleared the table. “Let’s get to the restaurant.”

Chapter Twelve

Berry rang Heidi before her shift to say they’d be working in the kitchen but they’d try to stay out of the way as much as possible once she arrived.

Marlie had driven her vehicle into Regency, swapped it for a refrigerated van and was going backwards and forwards from Mac’s loading and unloading food and drinks. Mac was not home yet and Greg was staying well out of the way – useless sod.

Clancy retrieved her bags, used Berry’s vehicle to move everything back to the bedsit, and had unpacked a few things.

Neither had said anything to the other about her move back. And she hadn’t thought twice about it.

She looked forward to unpacking everything. She took an hour off to hang a few clothes, find an iron to de-crinkle her chef’s jacket and trousers, wash the resident doona and its cover, the bed linen and a few other bits and pieces using the restaurant’s laundry around the corner from her room. It would all dry easily on a day like today, hot and dry with a balmy breeze.

And she made her bed as soon as the sheets were dry.

Clancy smiled to herself. She really had all she needed here. Somehow she felt she belonged. It was comfortable.

She set up her tiny reading lamp on the small bedside table, plugged in her phone to re-charge it and re-arranged the sparse furniture so it appeared cosy. She set her laptop on the small dining table, laid out her diary. She’d need to get a TV or something, but that would come. She had an iPod for music, and an e-book reader so she was fairly self-contained.

She’d just stacked the top shelf of the little cupboard with her recipe books and the tiny box of jewelry she had when Berry knocked on the door.

“Ready? I think Marlie’s brought everything. If not, we’ll wing it.”

“Okay. I’m ready.” Clancy walked with him into the restaurant. They only bumped shoulders a couple of times, and neither figured the other had noticed.

Marlie had yet to say a word to her.

Heidi was huffing and puffing when she came on duty that afternoon. She headed straight for the coolroom and picked up a tray of Clancy’s panna cotta.

“I’m just tired, that’s all and that mother of mine creates more work, or more trouble, I dunno which.” She took a large spoon and scooped some yoghurt terrine into a small bowl. “I’m all ready for tonight, and the team is ready to go, so go for your lives back there.” She waved at the kitchen benches and the coolroom. “All yours,” she said to Clancy. “Make sure you run your kitchen-hand hard, he can be a slacker.” She took her apron off the hook and wrapped it around her big belly, then spooned a mouthful of dessert. “And leave me some of this dessert. It’s a winner.”

Clancy baked more bread, prepared more pâté, chopped vegetables until her hands were aching. She prepared meats and marinades.

Once or twice she was caught sneaking a glance at Berry, who in turn was caught out himself. At one point Heidi stood upright and glanced deliberately between the two. Clancy burned bright red. Heidi tsk-tsked.

Tomorrow Clancy would make the pavlovas, more yoghurt terrine and a quick Christmas pudding for the die-hards. For forty-five it wasn’t hard work.

That evening, Heidi’s kitchen was jumping with the full house. Thirty people in for full service dinner made Berry’s a very busy little place.

Heidi took a break early to catch her breath and rest her back but by ten-thirty, she declared for the day and decided to head home. Berry waved her off and together with the staff, he helped clean up and finish the night.

By eleven-thirty, the last of the diners were on their way.

Half an hour later, Clancy still had things to do and reached for another set of knives. Berry placed his hand over hers. “Time to call it a day. It’s past midnight again.”

She gave in quickly. “I’m a bit out of touch. Not even a week gone and I haven’t any stamina... I must have relaxed or something.”

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s lock up and I’ll walk you home.”

Rommy picked them up at the back door, tail wagging and banging on their legs as he did his round and rounds.

“So this is where you live,” Berry said at her door. “Nice place.”

“You don’t think I’ll have any strange visitors tonight?”

“If you mean Greg, I don’t think so. Marlie is at the estate house with him so I don’t think he’d dare. And if you do have trouble, ring me.”

She nodded, rested on the doorjamb. “You know, if I had coffee I’d offer you one.”

He smiled, leaned forward until his forehead touched hers. “I don’t need coffee.”

His lips came down on hers and Clancy was quite sure it wasn’t a sweet goodnight kiss. It was more like ‘helloooo-and-what’s-next?’ sort of kiss.

Tentatively, she framed her hands on his face and his arms went around her.

It felt good in every way. Warm, tingly, inviting, wanting... all the good things. He pressed against her; kissed her again, let her kiss him back.

He pulled at the pins and her fair hair slid down on to her shoulders. “I have wanted to do that since the other day when I first saw you.” He picked up a handful and pulled it gently to his face. “Mmh. I love the smell of goose fat in the evening.”

“Chicken livers,” she corrected. “Plain old pâté.”

“But what’s it doing in your hair? I thought it was supposed to smell of vanilla or baked bread or something?” He nuzzled her neck. “Going to invite me in? Been a while since I used the shower in this place.”

She hesitated.

He lifted his head and his gaze pinned her. “I’ve said the wrong thing?”

“I don’t have towels. I forgot to mention earlier.”

He laughed. “I’m not walking home to get towels to troop back here to shower. Come on, another night up at the homestead.”

Rommy leapt ahead of them as they idled their way back up the path to his house. His hand held hers tightly, and instead of settling in the lounge area, he walked her straight into the bathroom.

“Get the water hot and I’ll be right back.”

Her belly felt all floaty.

Steam was just rising when he walked back in. He held up a masculine looking nightshirt – “You’ll look great in this,” – and flipped it on to the vanity. Then he stepped to her and kissed her soundly. “I’m bloody desperate to get you out of these clothes.”

“Such romance. I should help in that case.” She unbuttoned the neck of her jacket, pulled it over the top of her head.

He caught her there. “I’ll get the rest.”

He bent and slipped off her socks and shoes, hooked his hands into the waist of her chef’s trousers and slid them down to the floor. She stepped out of them pulling her cami off at the same time.

He was kneeling at her feet looking up at her when she reached round and unclipped her bra, let it fall to the floor, her breasts bobbing just above his head. “I’m not wasting that water one second more.” She chucked him under the chin and ducked into the shower before he could protest.

He tore off his T-shirt, kicked off his shoes, unzipped his jeans and hopped and stepped until he was out of them. He kicked them away—

His phone rang.

It rattled in his jeans and the vibrations started to crib the pants over the bathroom floor. He looked at his jeans and back to the shower where Clancy was soaping up behind the steamy screen, and back to his jeans again.

“God. Damn. It.” He snatched up his jeans and reefed the phone out of the pocket. The screen told him it was ten minutes to one in the morning, and secondly, who was calling. “It better be good this time, Marlie.” He marched over to the shower and opened the door.

Clancy smiled at him as she shampooed her hair, arms over her head, breasts now bobbing in front of his nose.

He stared at her then pointed at his phone. He still stared.

She shrugged, smiled, turned her back and rinsed the suds. But rounded back again when she heard his astounded, “What?”

He shut the screen door and moved to the vanity, leaned over it. “When? How did—? What’s the matter with Greg’s—? All right, all right... Well, if they’re on their way that’s good. I can probably get to her first anyway... Yes, yes I know it. Get off the phone and when you get his car started, meet me there... No, I’m not coming to get you, I’m going straight to her.”

Berry stepped back into his jeans and thrust himself into his T-shirt. He pulled open the shower door again.

Clancy felt like she was under a waterfall. He kissed her, hard. The water pounded over them both, saturating him as he held her, his hands low on her waist.

He pulled away a bit. “It’s Heidi. Sounds like she’s had contractions on the way home and the car’s veered off the track.”

“Where?” It was delicious to stand under hot water held by a man who was fully clothed and fully wet and fully something else.

“On the main track. She’s called her mother, who’s called the ambos, but I’m closer. Dunno anything about delivering babies, though. See you later.”

He kissed her again with an audible groan, shut the door, grabbed a heap of towels and was gone.

Clancy finished up in a hurry, flipped off the taps and stepped out to dry off.

For God’s sake, it all happens around here.

She donned the nightshirt, slipped her bare feet back into her chef’s crocs and wandered to the lounge room, her dirty clothes tucked under her arm.

Rommy was barking like a mad thing inside the house. She settled him down, paced with him for a while until they looked at each other and flopped on the settee together. There was nothing for it, without a car all she could do was to wait.

She worried for a few minutes longer and finally gave up. It could be hours before she’d hear anything, or see anyone... and she needed sleep.

Best thing to do would be head back to the bedsit.

Poor Heidi. Clancy hoped the ambulance would get to her before the baby decided it was coming out... and before Berry had to deliver it.

Heidi! Having the baby!

No chef in Berry’s restaurant.

Me! Oh my God! There are things I need to be doing—

Wait. It’s all been re-set for tomorrow, there’s staff to do service, I can surely to God get the orders out using her menu. No problem. There are only thirty customers. It’s Christmas Eve. They’ll practically look after themselves.

Don’t panic. It’ll be a piece of cake.

She stood in the lounge of Berry’s house and stared out into the darkening night. She’d never make it to the bedsit in this light. If she kipped down now, here, and got a reasonable few hours sleep, she’d get through tomorrow. That’s the least she could do, for everybody.

She tracked back to Berry’s office, dumped her soiled clothes on the floor, crawled into the sleeping possie she had the night before and drifted off, happily aware Rommy had settled himself on the floor alongside her.

This time her last thought before sleep was how Berry had looked at her when she was in the shower.

*

She vaguely heard Rommy stir, a few snuffles, shuffles and a swish of his tail on her leg and then silence.

Someone kissed her forehead, whispered in her ear, “We have a baby boy.”

She prised one eye open and saw Berry kneeling beside her. “Did you do it?”

“Mainly Heidi. I just caught him.” He brushed her hair out of her eyes. “I’m going to bed for a few hours. Wake me when you get up.”

“Okay.” She could hardly fend off the sleep. “Goodnight, Berry.”

“Goodnight, Clancy.”

Another wave of his big hand over her head and he was gone.