by Kate Forster
‘The second time a camera undid him,’ Marc had said to Christa as she was reading the story on her iPad while she fed Juniper.
‘I don’t understand where he would get the idea to do that to someone’s shoes,’ she had said to Marc. The twins had laughed hysterically at this but she paid them no attention. Poo jokes were still very popular with them both but for some reason this story, in particular, seemed to amuse them for days on end.
As the teens were leaving with the soup and extra goods, Christa called out, ‘Jackson?’
The young man walked away from the group to join her.
‘You know, I need some help around here, and I think you show real promise in the kitchen,’ she said to him.
It was true, Jackson had a natural way with the knife and seemed to understand food at a higher level than the others. But she also knew he needed a job. His mum was undergoing cancer treatment, Zane had told her, and his dad had been laid off. His home was loving but money was tight.
She gave him an extra container of soup and more bread. ‘For the freezer,’ she said.
Jackson looked like he was about to cry as he took the soup. ‘Thank you, miss,’ he said and she smiled at him. ‘You have the makings of a chef, Jackson – I can see it. So have a chat to your dad and you can work here a few afternoons a week and can do more in the holidays if you like?’
Jackson nodded.
‘You can be my commis cook,’ she said.
‘What’s that?’ he asked, looking worried.
‘That’s the most important role in the kitchen,’ she said with a smile. ‘The new cook.’
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Hannah Todd, my editor and task mistress who keeps me on track. To Tara Wynne, my agent and protector. To David, my husband and super sidekick and cup of tea maker extraordinaire. To Kelly Walker, my friend, and accountability wrangler.
Thank you for all your special gifts you share with me.
About the Author
KATE FORSTER in lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband, two children and dogs and can be found nursing a laptop, surrounded by magazines and talking on the phone, usually all at once. She is an avid follower of fashion, fame and all things pop culture and is also an excellent dinner party guest who always brings gossip and champagne.
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