‘I’d rather keep it just between us until I’m a bit further along if that’s all right with you?’
‘Yes. Very sensible.’ And then he added quietly, ‘Just in case.’
She squeezed his hand and whispered, ‘Just in case.’
Chapter Four
‘You look troubled,’ Liz said when she met Jay in the function room of Diva’s the next day. Eighteen months ago, Alex, Tia McIntyre and chef Roberto Bianchi, who already owned La Emporium, a Michelin-starred restaurant, had gone into business to purchase and run the three-storey Diva’s. The ground floor was a dedicated restaurant, with a bar and seating area on the middle floor. Liz and Jay currently catered for functions on the third floor, in addition to any other private functions that they carried out in people’s homes.
Jay ran a hand through his curly hair — a sure sign he was stressed. ‘There’s something I want to talk to you about.’
Liz made them both a drink and they sat down at the small table used for their planning sessions. When Jay didn’t say anything, she offered up.
‘Well, this obviously isn’t going to be good news, so you might as well just come straight out with it.’
Jay cleared his throat. ‘The thing is, Liz, you know how I love working with you...’
‘I’m sensing a but.’
He nodded. ‘This has nothing to do with you, or the way we work together, but it still feels very much likeyourbusiness.Yourreputation and everything.’
‘Oh! Jay, you know I don’t think of it like that. You bring so much to the business and some of your dishes are inspired. I’d never have thought of putting them on the menu.’
‘I know that, and, like I say, this is nothing to do with you or the way we work together, but I feel like I need to build my own reputation. Independent from you.’
She gasped. ‘Oh.’ This was the last thing she’d wanted to hear today. She’d woken up overjoyed at her secret and hadcome into work trying not to smile too much in case she gave herself away. ‘You want to dissolve our partnership?’
‘No!’ It was Jay’s turn to look shocked. ‘No, I didn’t mean it like that. Oh! I’m not explaining myself very well, am I?’
She shook her head. ‘No, you’re not. Just tell me straight.’
Jay sighed. ‘You know it’s always been my dream to own my own restaurant?’
‘Of course. I thought that was a long way off, though.’
‘It is. But when I am in the position to go ahead, I also want to have built up a reputation, so that people will invest in me.’
‘So what are you saying?’
‘I want to start entering competitions.’
‘Competitions? Is that all?’ Liz breathed a huge sigh of relief.
‘It might not sound much to you, but I need to start somewhere.’
‘No, don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mean to denigrate it, not by any means. I just thought you wanted out and it’s a relief to know that you don’t. I presume you’re asking for a bit of time off as and when you’re tied up elsewhere?’
‘That’s about the size of it, yes.’
‘That sounds fair enough. I’m presuming you’ll get some advance notice of when competitions start so that we can plan our bookings? And if there’s any clashes, we can always employ more agency chefs.’
‘Really? You’re okay with it?’
‘Of course I am. This is our business, Jay, so we need to make it work for both of us.’
‘Oh, thank you, Liz. I was so worried about telling you. If it wasn’t for Emma, I might have bottled it completely.’
‘Oh, Jay! You daft thing!’ She leaned over and gave him a hug. ‘I know we’re in business together, but, first and foremost, we’re friends. You should be able to tell me anything. Besides, Imight need you to return the favour soon so we can work things around each other.’
