Monica shook her head. “Apart from the whole of Christmas and every Sunday since Goldenboy came home.”
She received a gentle swat on the head for her comment.
“Hush,” their mother said. “Jealousy is not an attractive quality.”
Maria’s buffets were legendary. When Carmine had been a child, she had catered for most local events. Weddings. Christenings. Funerals. It had been a great use of the restaurant kitchens between the lunch and dinner rushes.
Now she limited herself to family affairs. Even if Stefano might not be ready to give up work yet, Maria was more than happy to.
Carmine grabbed a plate and began to load it up. Raoul was one step ahead of him.
“Good afternoon, brother,” he said.
“Wow. Mr Formal,” Carmine replied. “How’s tricks?”
Raoul grabbed a few bruschetta. They looked so good that Carmine followed suit.
“Busy. The restaurant is firing on all cylinders. You’ve not been in for a while.”
There always had to be a barbed comment from Raoul.
“Raoul’s thinking about opening a new place,” Donna said.
She linked arms with her husband and stared triumphantly at Carmine. Once again they appeared to be claiming victory over a battle Carmine had no idea he’d been fighting.
“Great,” Carmine replied. “If you need any plans doing, give me a shout.”
Raoul raised an eyebrow. “Free?”
“Of course.”
“I thought you only focused on footballers now.”
Carmine whirled round to his sister. “Monica.”
“Hey, I never said anything.”
“Relax,” Raoul said. “It’s all around town that you’ve been working with Noah Farman. Why didn’t you tell us?”
Carmine tried to calm down but he didn’t want this conversation. Suddenly the room had become very warm. He fiddled with his collar.
“It was supposed to be confidential until the place is built.”
Stefano came and clapped Carmine on the shoulder. “He seems to be a decent lad. I’m sure he won’t mind us knowing.”
Carmine could sense Monica watching him intently. He absolutely would not meet her gaze.
“You’re right,” Carmine said. “He is a great guy and speaks very highly of you. Apparently the whole team love you.”
Stefano puffed his chest out with pride. Carmine’s heart melted. This man had loved him fiercely since the day he was born. Sometimes that love became overwhelming. Even so, Carmine wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“Why don’t you sleep with him,” Raoul said. “If you think he’s so amazing.”
“That’s enough,” Stefano roared and swatted Raoul over the head.
Their mother appeared from the kitchen and slapped Raoul on the arm. It was a parental pincer attack.
“Less of that,” she barked. “Carmine is allowed to be excited that his business is taking off. You don’t have sole access to Brockton soccer club, you know.”
