Masters & Lovers Box Set One

James

Guacamole ready to go, I survey the next card on my list. Sally is on the next counter working on her improvised stand-in for the horseradish sauce. "What will you do about Sonia?" I ask.

Sally's mouth is set. "She's on her first trial week. Unless she's down with something incurable and infectious or she's broken both legs, she's looking for another job on Monday." She sticks a finger in the sauce and tastes. Nodding in apparent satisfaction, she offers the pan my way. "What do you think?"

I don't claim to have flame-proof fingers, so I use a spoon, then turn the flavour over my tongue. It's delightful. Savoury, light, creamy but piquant....

Cayenne and capers and.... .... and....

"What else is in there?"

Sally flashes brows. "Secret ingredient. Tell you what. I'll tell you what's in there if you give me the recipe for that paella I saw you serving up yesterday. It wasn't the usual seafood arrangement...."

It's not often one meets a soul-mate in the kitchen, but I feel Sally and I share a common outlook where food is concerned.

"No, it was traditional Valencian paella. It's a peasant's dish really, like a lot of the best food...." She nods, agreeing. ".... one of those meals invented from the 'what do I have in the larder' school of thought. My mother's recipe. I'll make it again tomorrow and show you."

She grins, offering me a hand to shake. "Deal."

I grin back and give the hand a tug.

The doors swing open and Ben steps in. "Ah, there you are James...." Then he sees Sally, her hand dropping from mine, and scowls. "Michael's looking for you," he says.

"Tell him I have my hands full here, would you Ben."

"Yes, I can see that." He turns and stomps out.

"He's a charmer isn't he," comments Sally.

You're not wrong there....

Five minutes later, I'm sliding a tray of king prawns in chou pastry packets into the oven when the doors swing open again. This time Michael appears, wearing smart-casual and looking every bit the suave host. "James, what are you doing here? Aren't you going to get changed? The guests are starting to arrive."

"Staff shortage. I'm filling in."

"But...."

"This is your project. You're the host. You and Charlotte can handle the Meet and Greet. In fact, it's better if you do. You don't need me."

He blinks but exits.

Sally watches him go then with what I can only call a 'meaningful' look to me, turns back to the kitchen, now speaking at the top of her voice. "Right everyone. Service. Servers here please."

A group of young men and women in black trousers and waistcoats push to the fore. Sally counts them off. "Where are the others? There's supposed to be ten. We're two short," says Sally.

The group exchange head-shakes and shrugs. She turns, stabbing a finger between Billy and the door. "Go track them down. They're supposed to be here. See if they're out there already somewhere." Then, waving over the banquet waiting to be served, "Right, get it all out there. Hot dishes first." Trays and platters exit the kitchen in a round of circulating servers, taking one tray and returning for another.

Sally taps a foot, checking her watch.

Billy's head pops around the door. "Chef, we're short. The agency's rung in apologising and saying there're two no-shows."

"And you tell me this now?" splutters Sally.

"Sorry Chef. Reception said they were busy getting everyone parked up and welcomed in."

"Got a spare uniform?" I ask.