Page 66 of A Riviera Retreat
‘Of course,’ Amy said. ‘I need to do some things in the kitchen for this evening. Simon?’ she looked at him. ‘Thank you. I really enjoyed our day. It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a day so much.’ She wouldn't tell him just how long it had been.
‘It’s not over yet, but I hope it’s the first of many we will spend together,’ Simon answered as he disappeared in the direction of his room.
In the kitchen, humming happily to herself as she began to check on the food for the barbecue, Amy wondered about the day being the first of many they would spend together. Was that just a throwaway line or was Simon serious. She couldn’t stop herself from hoping that he was serious. The meat, sausages, kebabs, steaks and burgers were all in the main fridge nicely thawed. The wine fridge had bottles of rosé, white wine and five bottles of champagne. Amy frowned, she’d only put three bottles in ready for this evening. Perhaps Josh had brought them for his mother.
Chelsea had said she’d do the salads, garlic bread was wrapped in tin foil ready to go at the back of the grill and the birthday cake hidden away in the small fridge in the utility room was looking good. With Simon taking charge of the cooking this evening, all Amy had to now was find the ‘Happy Birthday’ bunting and remember to hang it up between the trees by the pool at the last minute.
‘Please can I have a word?’ Chelsea, standing in the doorway clutching a towel to her and looking anxious, made her jump.
‘Something wrong?’ Amy asked anxiously.
‘No, nothing wrong.’ She paused. ‘You jokingly offered me a job earlier in the week – cooking for your guests. Did you mean it? Or is Olivia coming back?’
‘No, Olivia is definitely retiring.’ Amy answered the last question first, trying to marshal her thoughts. ‘And no, I wasn’t joking.’
‘Well, as I seem to be unexpectedly at a loose end for the rest of the summer, I was wondering whether the offer was still there? Or have you organised a temporary chef with the agency? I have to go home tomorrow and start to sort things out, but I could be back in time for your next guests.’ Chelsea hesitated. ‘I have to ask about pay, though. I have a few bills to start paying back, mainly Dad, but I do need to pay him. And I’d need to find somewhere to live.’
‘I’d love to have you here as my chef. We’ll work something out that suits us both if you’re serious,’ Amy said, smiling at her, and sensed Chelsea relax in relief at her words.
‘Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the job. Please don’t tell Dad yet though, will you? I want to surprise him.’
The gate buzzer sounded at that moment.
‘Shall I get that?’ Chelsea asked, moving to the intercom and not waiting for Amy’s answer. ‘Hello?’
‘This is Kevin. I need to talk to my wife, so I would be grateful if you would open the gate.’
‘I’m not sure she wants to talk to you,’ Chelsea said, looking across at Amy.
‘Just tell her I simply want to talk to her.’
Amy crossed to the intercom. ‘I’m busy. If I let you in, you’ve got five minutes to say whatever it is you’ve come to say this time and then you leave. Got it?’
‘Yes.’
Amy pressed the button to operate the gate.
‘You sure about seeing him?’ Chelsea asked.
Amy nodded. ‘This will be the last time.’
‘D’you want me to stay?’
‘No. I’ll keep my phone in my hand and if there’s a problem I’ll press the set number for the local gendarmes.’
‘Okay, if you’re sure.’ Chelsea gave her a worried look and left.
After leaving Amy and intending to go straight to her room for her delayed shower, Chelsea changed her mind. She didn’t know where her dad was, but Josh should still be down at the pool and she’d get him to go and check on Amy and Kevin while she went in search of her dad.
To her relief, she found them both in conversation down at the pool. ‘Dad, I’m worried for Amy. She’s just let Kevin in because he says he wants to talk and she says it will be all right. She’s got her phone ready to call the gendarmes if she needs to but—’
‘Kitchen?’ Simon was on his feet before she’d finished speaking and running up the path.
‘Yes.’
Josh looked at her. ‘Shall I go as well? Quite happy to lend support.’
Chelsea shook her head. ‘No. Dad should be able to deal with it.’
