Page 91 of Just Do It
‘I’m not sure any of it would have happened if it hadn’t been for you rescuing the build project initially.’ She turned to face us. ‘Finn was truly my knight in shining armour.’
‘I’m not sure about that.’ He dismissed the accolade but Mel was having none of it.
‘Don’t believe a word. If it hadn’t been for Finn, this restaurant wouldn’t exist.’
From our experience tonight, I couldn’t join Mel in the tragic air she gave to that statement.
‘The food was very nice, thank you,’ Dad offered up which seemed to kick Finn into gear.
‘Sorry. Mel, this is my friend, Elizabeth, and her parents, William and Mary.’
Friend?
They shook hands and Mum gave a nervous chuckle. ‘Not the royal ones though, obviously.’
Dad and I giggled, Finn gave a small smile and Mel looked blank. I practically saw the comment soar over her head.
‘Sorry?’
Mum waved her hands, colour creeping up her neck and face. I swallowed hard, wanting to make it better for her.
‘Just me being silly. Ignore me.’ She chuckled again.
Not once in my life had I ever witnessed my mother feel that she, or anything she said, should be so dismissed. She wasn’t pushy but she wasn’t the type to be walked over either. And here she was, in this stuffy little den of indulgence, telling this woman to ignore her. The storm erupted.
‘William and Mary were king and queen in the seventeenth century,’ I said. ‘Mum and Dad often get teased about their names being the same when they introduce themselves.’
‘Oh.’ Mel smiled back. ‘Sorry. That one went right over my head.’
Finn threw me a dark glance and turned back to his friend.
Mum and Dad returned Mel’s smile, Mum giving a small shake of her head. ‘No, really. I say the silliest things sometimes.’
‘No, Mum, you don’t.’ I leant over and kissed her cheek to back up the statement.
‘The food really was delicious. You’re very clever. I can barely boil an egg.’
That muchwastrue. Thankfully Dad was a dab hand in the kitchen which had saved us any number of culinary horrors.
‘Thanks.’ Mel gave a wide, white smile. ‘I’ve got a great team here. Although new opportunities are always exciting. You never stop learning.’
‘That’s so true!’ Mum and Dad brightened at the hint of a subject they could relate to.
Mel briefly grabbed Finn’s arm. ‘Oh my God. It’s going to be so much fun working together again if you-know-what comes off.’ Finn shifted his weight, discomfort creasing his face for a second before he smoothed it away. Meanwhile Mel was practically vibrating with excitement.
‘Let’s see, eh?’ Finn said.
‘Yep. Anyway I’d better get back to the kitchen.’ She reached out and gave him another massive hug. ‘So glad you could come.’
‘It was a pleasure.’
That was a matter of opinion.
‘And thanks for the champagne. You shouldn’t have.’
Bloody good job she did. I’m not sure I would have made it through this evening without.
We filed out, collecting our coats on the way, bundling up against the bone-chilling wind and walked hurriedly back to the car. There were rumours of snow for tomorrow and from the temperature, I could quite believe it. Silence reigned and the atmosphere was thick with unspoken questions. I’d always been quite good at controlling my emotions but the best part of a bottle of pop to myself had loosened my tongue.
