Starlight on the Palace Pier: The very best kind of romance for the Christmas season in 2018. Tracy Corbett

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СКАЧАТЬ helps me with the paperwork sometimes. Do let her know if you need anything. I’m sure she’d be happy to assist.’

      Jodi seriously doubted that.

      A feeling compounded when the woman’s beady eyes took in her state of disarray. ‘You seem to have met with an accident.’

      Jodi followed the woman’s gaze down to her muddied coat. ‘I’m sorry, yes. I fell.’ When she glanced back up, the woman was staring at her hair, which had probably started to frizz thanks to the rain.

      ‘So it would appear.’ In a movement so smooth it was almost feline, the woman turned her back on her. ‘You’ll find a sink in the toilets adjacent to the café, Ms Simmons. Please ensure you clean up after you.’ A waft of perfume filled the air as she glided away, disappearing into the shadows in a manner that would make Mrs Danvers seem positively warm.

      Carolyn took hold of Jodi’s hand. ‘Don’t mind her. She’s a sweetie really.’

      Jodi felt this was highly unlikely, but she was happy to be proved wrong.

      ‘Now, where were we?’ Carolyn gave her another expectant look.

      ‘You were about to show me around and introduce me to the team?’

      ‘Oh, that’s right. I was. This way.’ She hooked her arm through Jodi’s and manoeuvred her down the corridor.

      Jodi had hoped she might be able to stop off at the loos and tidy herself up, but Carolyn seemed to have forgotten her battered state. The stinging in her hand was getting worse, not helped by her new boss gripping it. There was a slight tremor to Carolyn, accompanied by a sweet cloying smell that radiated off her as they walked together. Jodi was no expert, but along with the slightly slurred speech and inconsistent walking pace, she suspected Carolyn still had issues with alcohol.

      They arrived at the café, which was empty. Unsurprising really, considering it was only nine a.m. The noise of a hedge trimmer drew their attention outside. A burly middle-aged man was up a ladder tending to the bushes lining the large courtyard.

      Jodi’s eyes fell on the ornate statue of a lion, minus an ear. Shame dragged her mind back to the summer of 2005 when she’d climbed up the thing, showing off to her mates by pretending to ride it, before toppling off, taking its ear with her and landing with a thud on the solid concrete. She couldn’t blame clumsiness for that one; it had been pure drunken anarchy.

      Surprisingly, when faced with an inebriated teenager wreaking havoc at her playhouse, Carolyn hadn’t called the police. Instead, she’d arranged for a taxi to take her home. Jodi hadn’t appreciated Carolyn’s kindness at the time, but she certainly did now.

      Carolyn opened the French doors and waved at the man up the ladder. ‘Eddie, darling? Can I introduce you to someone?’

      The man cupped his ear, indicating he couldn’t hear. He climbed down, and walked over. Actually, walked was the wrong word. It was more of a meander, slow and controlled, like a cowboy in an old film. He was wearing an Indiana Jones hat, which he tipped upon reaching them. His overcoat was dripping wet.

      ‘This is Jodi…’ Carolyn’s face scrunched up in concentration as she clicked her fingers, trying to remember her new worker’s surname.

      Jodi helped her out. ‘Simmons.’

      ‘Simmons, that’s it. Jodi Simmons.’ Carolyn put her hand on the man’s arm. ‘This is the wonderful Eddie Moriantez. He’s been here for years and looks after the grounds and does a bit of maintenance.’ She turned to Jodi. ‘He used to be in the navy,’ she added, her pretence of a whisper failing.

      ‘Oh…right. Great to meet you.’ Jodi held out her injured hand and braced herself.

      Thankfully, the man declined. ‘I won’t, if that’s okay. I’m filthy.’ He held up his hands, which looked clean enough. She suspected he’d noticed her injury and was letting her off the hook. ‘Muddy work.’ He smiled, his expression both relaxed and amused. She decided Eddie was going to be a lot easier to get along with than Vivienne.

      Carolyn immediately turned back to Eddie. ‘We won’t keep you,’ she said, already shutting the doors. ‘I’m sure you’re eager to get back to trimming the bushes. There really isn’t anything worse than an untidy bush.’

      Jodi and Eddie exchanged an amused look. ‘I best get back to it then,’ he said, tipping his hat. ‘Can’t have an untidy bush.’ He ambled off, chuckling.

      Yep, she was going to like Eddie.

      ‘Kitchen next.’ Carolyn steered her towards a set of swing doors to their right.

      The kitchen was cold and uninviting with a severe lack of modern appliances. A huge iron range with various copper pots hanging down from the surround dominated the far wall. An island filled the middle of the room with a rack above. She half expected to see a selection of game hanging from it, like in an episode of Downton Abbey, but there wasn’t any. She couldn’t see a dishwasher, but there was a microwave and a coffee machine next to the deep ceramic sink. Cooking in there wouldn’t be particularly easy, she imagined.

      A man was standing at the island chopping. He didn’t look up when they approached.

      ‘Petrit, I’d like you to meet my new assistant, Jodi…’ More clicking of the fingers.

      ‘Simmons.’

      ‘Simmons!’ Carolyn laughed. ‘Why do I keep forgetting?’

      Jodi felt it wouldn’t be prudent to answer.

      ‘Petrit Manaj is our resident chef. He looks after the café.’ Her voice lowered. ‘He’s from Romania.’

      Jodi was starting to realise that everyone who worked at the playhouse had a tagline. She wondered what hers would be? This is Jodi…she has a criminal record. God, she hoped not. She’d just have to hope Carolyn’s poor memory extended to Jodi’s antics as a teenager.

      The man carried on chopping, the large knife slicing down on the board as if he was trying to obliterate the coriander.

      ‘Petrit, stop a moment, will you. My head’s banging.’ Carolyn covered her ears.

      The chef dropped the knife, making it clatter. He turned and gave Jodi what could only be described as a death stare. He had deep-set eyes that burned beneath a thick unibrow. His face was angular and covered in unkempt stubble. But it was the disdain in his expression that gave most cause for alarm. Jodi recognised the look. It was the same look the lad from the restaurant had given her the other night, the one who’d shouted abuse in the street.

      Refusing to be intimidated, she held out her hand. ‘Pleased to meet you.’ She held eye contact, daring him to refuse her offer of introduction.

      Her resolve weakened slightly when he gripped her hand, making her flinch. ‘You contaminate my kitchen,’ he said, marching over to the sink and washing his hands.

      She wondered if he’d still have washed his hands if there’d been no blood? Sadly, she suspected he probably would have.

      Carolyn frowned. ‘Are you bleeding? How on earth did you do that? We need to get that sorted.’

      Jodi СКАЧАТЬ