The Secret Ingredient (46 page)

Andie sipped her coffee as she gazed across the carpark to the entrance. She was waiting for Dominic to arrive for work, she had to talk to him before anyone else got here. She needed to see him alone.

It wasn't long before his black BMW swept around the corner of the building and pulled into its regular spot. Andie's heart began to race. Breathe deeply, she told herself. Stay in control. She hadn't seen him since that day in her apartment, and she wasn't sure how she was going to cope seeing him now. But she had to do this.

She watched Dominic get out of the car, and there was that pang again. She took a gulp of her coffee. He hooked his bag over his shoulder and headed for the entrance, unlocked the door and pushed it open, and it swung closed behind him as he walked through. Andie waited for him to reappear, which he did moments later, dropping the chuck and kicking it under the door to wedge it open. Then he went back inside.

She stepped out of the car. Shoving her hands in the pockets of her jacket, she crossed the carpark to the entrance. Autumn had well and truly arrived, the mornings were getting cooler now. She walked straight through the open doorway into the building. No need to sneak up the corridor this time. As she made her way through the kitchen she glanced over at the office, but he wasn't there. He preferred to make his calls out in the restaurant, before anyone was around. Andie headed for the double doors, walking straight through the first set, and not hesitating as she pushed through the next. Dominic was pacing the floor, his phone to his ear. He stopped mid-sentence as she entered. He looked surprised, which she supposed he had every right to be.

‘I'll have to call you back,' he said, before dropping his phone into his pocket. ‘Andie . . .'

‘It's okay, Dominic,' she said quickly. ‘I'm not staying, and I'm not here to beg or plead or throw myself at you, so don't worry.'

His expression softened, with sadness, or maybe it was regret.

‘I came to ask you a favour,' she pushed on. ‘It's not a big favour, in fact I'm sure you'll find it's quite reasonable. You see, I need a reference.'

‘You're looking for a job?'

She nodded. ‘I've been working at the deli. We've expanded, we're making gourmet takeaway now. It was all Jess's idea. But it's not enough for me, I physically miss being in the kitchen.'

‘You still have a job here if you want it.'

‘I can't come back,' said Andie, ‘we both know that. I've started looking around, but it's pretty competitive out there. So a recommendation from you would go a long way. Not that I'm asking you to say anything that isn't true, you understand.'

He was just staring at her. ‘Andie, I . . .'

‘Look, if it's a problem, I didn't mean to put you on the spot. Maybe you could ask Cosmo or Tang if they wouldn't mind?'

‘It's not a problem,' he assured her. ‘Of course I'll write you a reference.'

‘You don't have to write it, usually they just want a phone number, so they can call you.'

‘Of course. Do you still have my contact numbers?'

‘Yes, I do.' She hadn't been able to bring herself to delete them.

He nodded. ‘Well, feel free to give them to anyone who asks. And I'll write something for you as well, in case.'

‘Thank you, I appreciate it.'

There was a pause before he asked, ‘So, how are you?'

‘I'm okay. Busy, you know, with the shop.'

‘Everyone has been asking after you. They . . . we . . . miss you.'

She nodded. ‘I should drop in some time for staffy's, say hi.'

‘You should.'

‘How are you, Dominic?'

He looked as though that was the hardest question in the world to answer. So he just shrugged. Andie couldn't help it, she felt a rush of tenderness towards him.

She took a breath. ‘Before I go . . . there's something I have to say.'

‘Go ahead.'

She took a moment. She'd been rehearsing this, she needed to say it, it needed to be said. He was watching her, waiting.

‘Look, I'm sorry I messed up, Dominic, I really am,' she began. ‘I think you were right, that maybe I was expecting an advantage, not consciously —'

‘Andie, no, I was —'

‘Please, Dominic,' she interrupted. ‘Just let me get this out?'

He nodded faintly, gazing at her.

‘I wanted to apologise, because I know what a mess your life was all those years ago, and how important having control is to you. And I brought a whole lot of chaos into your life that you didn't ask for.' She paused. ‘But the thing is, life is messy, Dominic, people are messy, relationships are messy. And wonderful. I don't know whether you can have one without the other. It's just like the best food. I remember you told me once that it needs contrast, of flavours and textures, or else it just ends up bland.'

He was staring down at the floor now.

‘Anyway, I don't want to take up any more of your time,' said Andie. ‘I just wanted you to know I'll always appreciate the chance you gave me. It changed my life.'

She turned and walked to the doorway.

‘Andie . . .'

She stopped, looking back at him.

‘I'll write you the reference.'

‘Thank you.' She turned again and walked out of the restaurant.

‘What are you wearing?' asked Jess.

‘What does it look like?' said Andie.

‘Seriously? Bunny ears?'

‘They have a function,' she defended. ‘They help keep my hair back.'

‘You've gone soft in the head.'

‘Ah, bah humbug.'

‘That has to do with Christmas,' said Jess.

‘You're still being a Scroogey McScrooge Scrooge,' said Andie.

They had decided to officially launch the takeaway menu over the Easter long weekend. They thought it might be a good opportunity while other businesses were closed, or only operating on reduced hours. It had paid off, they could barely keep up with the demand. So today Jess had called in the casual chef she had hired, who turned out to be a rather handsome young man called Ben, who was not only a good cook, he was good with the customers as well.

‘Where did you find Ben?' Andie asked in a low voice.

‘Around the traps,' Jess answered demurely. ‘I've known him for a while,' she added, and Andie noticed the sparkle in her eyes.

‘And just how well do you know him?'

‘Let's just say he likes to watch DVDs on a rainy afternoon,' she winked.

Andie smiled, stirring the risotto. ‘We're going to need more takeaway containers,' she said.

‘Coming right up.'

Jess walked into the storeroom and inspected the boxes stacked on the shelves. She thought she heard knocking and she craned her head around into the corridor that led to the back entrance. She could see a figure through the frosted glass.

‘Can someone get the back door?' she called into the shop.

No one responded. Jess sighed, and went to open it. They weren't expecting any deliveries today, but the guy standing on the other side of the door didn't look like a delivery man. ‘Can I help you?'

‘I hope so,' he said. ‘I'm looking for Andie Lonergan.'

He didn't sound like a delivery man either, he had a bit of a toffee accent. ‘In regards to?' said Jess in her best officious voice.

He cleared his throat. ‘She used to work . . . We used to work together.'

‘Oh, okay.' That seemed innocent enough. ‘Can I give her a name?'

‘Tell her it's Dominic.'

Jess blinked. ‘You're Dominic? Dominic Gerou? From Viande?'

‘Yes.'

‘Well, it's nice to meet you!' she said with a wide smile. ‘I'm Jess.'

He shook her outstretched hand. ‘Jess,' he nodded, ‘Andie talked about you.'

‘Then you can't say you haven't been warned.'

He smiled. ‘I hope you don't mind that I came round the back, there's a queue at the front door.'

‘I know, isn't it great?'

‘Yes, yes it is.'

‘We just started the takeaway this weekend, we weren't sure how it was going to go at Easter.'

‘Seems like you made the right decision.'

He was quite good-looking, Jess decided, nice eyes. He had that dark, smouldering thing happening. Though right now he was looking a little nervous, like he was going for a job interview or something.

‘Um . . . so is Andie about?' he prompted her.

Jess stirred. ‘Oh yeah, sure. Sorry. I'll just go grab her.'

She ducked back through to the kitchen. Andie was standing at the stove, still stirring the risotto.

‘Andie, someone for you at the back door.'

‘What?' she frowned. ‘Who is it?'

Jess shrugged. ‘Someone who wants to see you.'

She sighed. ‘Well, I can't leave this.'

‘Yes you can.'

‘Then you'll have to take over.'

‘No I can't.'

‘Why not?'

‘Ahh . . . I'm in the middle of something,' she said. ‘Just take it off the jet for a sec, it'll be okay.'

Andie looked at her. ‘Why are you acting weird?'

‘I'm not acting weird, just hurry.'

She moved the pot and Jess ushered her through the storeroom and hovered behind as she went for the door. Andie turned around. ‘Didn't you say you were in the middle of something?'

‘Just open the door, will you?'

‘Fine.' She grabbed the handle and opened the door.

‘Hello, Andie,' said Dominic.

She couldn't speak, she just stared at him. His gaze drifted to the top of her head, and Andie quickly grabbed the rabbit ears and yanked them off, thrusting them at Jess.

‘Hi,' she said, flustered.

‘I can see you're busy,' he said, ‘so I don't want to hold you up. I just came to drop this off.' She noticed then that he was holding an envelope. ‘It's the reference you asked for.'

‘Oh, you didn't have to bring it over in person, you could have mailed it.'

‘I wanted to make sure you got it.' He hesitated. ‘Actually, do you have a minute?'

‘She has five,' said Jess. ‘Take ten.' She shoved Andie out the door and closed it behind her.

Andie looked up at Dominic. ‘Apparently I do have a minute.'

He smiled. She'd missed that smile.

‘You're not at work today?' she said.

‘Religious holiday, the restaurant's closed.'

‘Of course.' Andie nodded. ‘So, um, well, thanks for the reference.'

He was still clutching the envelope. He seemed nervous. Like when he asked her out the first time.

‘I was hoping you might read it, while I'm here, check if it's all right,' he said finally.

‘I'm sure it'll be fine.'

‘But I want to make sure I've said everything . . . that needs to be said.'

Andie felt nervous now, her heart started to flutter in her chest uncomfortably. What the hell was this about?

He handed her the envelope. ‘Would you read it, please?'

‘Sure.'

She slipped the folded paper out of the envelope as Dominic retreated down a couple of stairs and leaned against the railing, watching her. Andie decided it might be best to sit down, so she settled herself on the top step, unfolded the sheet of paper, and read.

To whom it concerns,

Andrea Lonergan has been an employee of Viande for over six months. While this may not seem enough time to get to know someone, let me assure you that it is.

That was an odd thing to say . . . in a reference.

Ms Lonergan, known to us as Andie, began on a trial basis in August of last year, but quickly established her competence to earn a place on our staff. Working under the direct supervision of the senior sous chefs, she was soon moved from bread and salad to main meal prep. Andie is a talented chef who takes on any task given to her with enthusiasm. She is hardworking and reliable, and she became a valuable member of the team at Viande.

But there is so much more to Andie than this. She is very brave, and fiercely honest, and she is warm and wonderful and generous. She is also very beautiful, but she doesn't like anyone to focus on that, because more than anything she wants to be seen for the person that she is underneath. I lost sight of that person for a while. I doubted her, and I didn't fight to keep her, because clearly I'm an idiot. I have no other explanation or excuse. I was wrong, and I have come to regret it more than I can express here.

So for these reasons, and many, many more, I'm afraid I cannot recommend Ms Lonergan for any position, because I don't want to let her go, ever again.

Regards,
Dominic Gerou
Executive Chef
Viande

Andie sat staring at the letter, breathing hard.

‘You're not saying anything,' Dominic said after a while.

He obviously didn't realise how hard it was for her to speak right now.

‘Andie . . . what are you thinking?'

‘Well, I'm not going to be able to give this to any prospective employers,' she said, meeting his gaze. ‘You'll have to write me another one.'

‘Oh . . .'

His face, it had that crestfallen look that always got to her.

‘I'm sorry,' he said. ‘I'll do it again. Give it to me.'

‘Oh, you're not getting it back,' said Andie, standing up. ‘I have it in writing that you admit you're an idiot, and that you were wrong. I'm keeping this.'

He sighed, managing a small smile. ‘Andie, I missed you, every single day. I didn't think I had the right, after everything . . . I thought I should leave you alone. But then when you came to the restaurant the other day . . .' He paused, taking a breath. ‘I had to see you again. I had to ask you. Please come back to Viande.'

Andie was shaking her head. ‘I can't come back, Dominic.'

There was that look again.

‘Don't you get it? I don't want to make the same mistake twice.'

‘So you think it would be a mistake,' he said, defeated.

She was going to have to spell it out for him. ‘Yes, Dominic, it would be a mistake to have a relationship with my boss again,' she said. ‘So that's why I can't come back to work at Viande, for you.'

She watched his expression go from bewildered to enlightened as the penny dropped. And then he smiled.

‘So,' Andie said, ‘are you coming in?'

He stirred. ‘Pardon?'

‘I have to get back inside. Are you coming?'

‘Oh, I don't know . . . I don't want to be in the way.'

Andie looked at him. ‘Let me rephrase that – you are coming in.'

‘I am?'

‘We're flat out, we could use the help.' She held out her hand to him. ‘I should say though, it's pretty messy in there, in fact it's chaos.'

Dominic smiled, taking her hand. ‘I don't mind . . . I don't mind at all.'