Page 65 of Changing Tides
“No, thanks, but I could do with a quick word with Kasia if she’s around?”
Tierney nodded. “Go on up. She’s in the office.” She tipped her head. “Is everything all right?”
Marianne smiled as brightly as she could. She knew they worried she would leave. “Yeah, I just need to ask for a few days off. I need to take Denny to see Amira.”
Tierney raised her eyebrows. “Oh. That’s a good thing, right? I’m sure Kasia can schedule cover.” She eased herself off the wall, her now prominent belly making the task more difficult. “I’ll watch the boys. You go and see her.”
Marianne nodded gratefully and ran up the path. Denny was engrossed in whatever he and Ruane had found on the beach. She hoped it wasn’t a dead seagull.
Kasia’s blond head was bowed over a tablet as Marianne knocked gently on the open office door. She looked up with a smile. “Can’t stay away?”
Marianne was grateful she appeared relaxed. “Do you have five minutes?”
“Surprisingly, yes.” Kasia inclined her head toward the empty chair at her desk.
“So, I know it’s peak season, but I need to take Denny to see his mum. It’s his birthday next week, and I want him to have a couple of days with her.”
“But you don’t feel confident to leave him there and return?”
“Exactly. And Amira doesn’t seem all that keen. But I have to try and make it work.”
Kasia pulled the tablet back in front of her and swiped several times. “You’re off Monday and on late Tuesday and Wednesday. If I cover those two shifts, will you be back for evening service Thursday?”
That was more than she’d been expecting. “Yes, of course. Thank you, Kasia.”
Kasia held her gaze. “Family is important, Marianne. Will you visit your mother while you’re there?”
She nodded with more enthusiasm than she felt. “Yes. It’s been too long since she saw her grandson.”
“That’s sorted then. Just make sure Connor knows what he’s doing.”
She stood. “Of course. And if he does extra shifts, I’m happy to cover him when I get back. Thanks again.”
Again, Marianne felt a little sad she’d spent the last few months polishing her team to perfection and soon they’d start to disperse back to schools and colleges, or in Connor’s case, to a season catering for ski chalets in the Swiss Alps. They’d mostly all be back again next season, but Marianne wouldn’t be here to appreciate their skills.
“The whole team is so much more capable since you’ve been around.” Kasia tipped her head as if she’d read Marianne’s thoughts. “They’ve had the best training whether they want to continue with a career in food, or if they use it as a way to get around the world. They all know they’re better for a few months with you. We’d never have dreamed of getting a chef of your caliber.”
Marianne nodded her acknowledgment, but another wave of sadness washed over her that this period of her life was coming to an end. It didn’t matter the size of the restaurant, the buzz from working with a good team was what she loved.
“You’ve got Joey to thank for that. So have I.” She pursed her lips to keep the emotion under control.
“Do you know what you’re going to do after the end of the season?”
“I don’t know. I’m hoping this trip will help me decide.”
She said her goodbyes and trotted back down to the shore with a spring in her step. She just needed to work out a way to get to Dublin. Perhaps Joey might take her and Denny to the train if it coincided with their deliveries. She would speak to them later.
Pushing the buggy back up the hill half listening to Ruane’s chatter about jellyfish, another thought occurred to her. She intended to make good use of her time in the city by having a long meeting with her agent and visiting some of the chefs she was closest to. She needed to get her name back out there. But might it also be an opportunity to introduce Joey to some new, prestigious customers? The thought of the three of them on a road trip together excited her. But the important part, she convinced herself, was the opportunity to help Joey find new customers.
She raced back up the road, Ruane shrieking with laughter as he tried to keep up. Maybe she’d have time to talk to Joey before work. Their brothers were around for a couple of weeks, so there should be no problem leaving their dad. She just needed to convince them it was a good idea.
TWENTY-SIX
“You’re going back to Dublin?”Joey tried to keep their tone neutral, but they’d known this time would come. They gazed across the stony beach at the few day visitors who’d ventured to this side of the island.
“No, not back. I’m just going for a visit. Denny needs to see his mum. And my mum.”
Joey’s insides felt torn apart. They knew it was important for Denny to see his family, especially Amira. It had been nearly four months since she’d spent any time with him. And they guessed it was a good sign Marianne was recovered enough to return to the city. But it was like she was turning a corner away from this idyllic summer they’d been enjoying together. Especially now they’d moved on to…whatever this was.
