Heat in the Kitchen

by Sarah Fredricks

  Sitting in her chair she pulled her knees up to her chest in defence of her body. Silent tears streamed down her face as the memories felt all too real. She covered her ears with her hands as if that could stop her from remembering the lewd, disgusting comments he'd made as his big hands had held her down and mauled her. When she'd struggled and kicked against him, he'd hit her. To shut her up he'd put his beer stinking, cigarette filled breath over her mouth. Instinctively, she wiped the back of her hand across her mouth - the memory of his vile taste so strong.

  She squeezed her eyes shut and forced her memories beyond that holiday. She'd been back at school two weeks when Mr Brown, the headmaster, had asked to see her. She hadn't been as successful as she'd hoped at hiding what had gone on at home. Her school work had deteriorated and she'd isolated herself from her friends. Mr Brown had had a way of teasing out a child's troubles and it had all eventually poured out of her. Things had moved quickly after that. The police had been called in and she'd been examined. The 'boyfriend' had been arrested but eventually released with no charge when her mother had accused Ella of lying to cover up being with a boy. She'd done a convincing job of persuading the police that Ella was promiscuous. She'd set off a train of events that had altered the rest of her school days. As promised, the 'boyfriend' had turfed them out of his house. Out of spite her mother had removed her from her school and sent her to the local state school. She'd never had a good relationship with her mother but from then on it had been even more strained. Her young sisters had blamed her for losing the roof over their heads and they'd never been affectionate to her since either.

  The only gesture that had got her through the next four years, until she'd escaped to the Royal College of Music to study, had been from Mr Brown. He'd allowed her to go to his house to continue learning and playing the piano. She'd since tried to pay him back for the music tuition he'd paid for but he'd refused it. So she regularly sent him tickets to her concerts instead.

  *

  The phone startled her. She must have nodded off in the chair.

  'Hi Ella, how'd the wedding go?'

  'Tess.'

  'Yeah. You sound disappointed. Who were you expecting?'

  'What? No-one!' Ella hoped Tess hadn't picked up on how quickly she'd denied expecting someone else. For a split second she'd hoped it would be Matt. He'd checked last night that she'd got home safely and that her hand was okay, so realistically she'd known it wouldn't be him.

  'Hmm, you're hiding something!' Tess sing-song'd. She sounded far too bright and breezy on a Sunday lunchtime for Ella to cope with.

  'No, erm, the wedding went well. Penny looked lovely.'

  Tess sighed. 'Ella, I don't mean the wedding itself, well I'm glad she looked lovely, but I want to know about my brother.' Ella wondered how Tess could possibly know she'd been kissed, a few times, by Matt.

  'Ella, what's with you today? Oh, I haven't got you out of bed have I? You weren't doing… with Matt, were you?'

  'No! No. Sorry. I'm just tired. Must be the stress of the last couple of days.' She didn't know what Tess would think of her involvement with Matt. Not that they were involved. She probably wouldn't see him again, despite what he'd said. She couldn't imagine that he mixed with women who blew hot and cold as she had done.

  'Hello - Ella? Did Matt help you, or was he horrible? Not that he's normally horrible. He really is a lovely person. Well, except when he goes all possessive about his professional kitchen. Oh, and when he goes all 'big brother' on me….'

  Ella smiled. Tess and Matt were so much alike when they were on a roll. She paused to make sure Tess was finished.

  'Matt was great Tess. He was a real help getting everything prepared and he created some fantastic dishes. It was all so much more than I could have hoped for. He even had some of his team come and finish off and set up the venue. They all did a great job.'

  'I knew he wouldn't be able to resist. Sounds like he delivered Two's Company's first class standard. He's not charging though, is he? No. He wouldn't.'

  Having a conversation with Tess was sometimes so easy - she didn't wait for responses.

  'He charged the same price Bianca was going to charge.'

  'And what about that loser sister of yours? She didn't show up did she?' Tess had met Bianca once and hadn't liked the way she'd behaved towards Ella. Despite losing her parents Tess had had a brilliant upbringing and enjoyed a really close relationship with her own sister. She'd had a wake up call over what it could be like in other families the day she'd met Bianca.

  'Apparently she did. I didn't see her. Matt sent her off with a flea in her ear.'

  Tess winced. She could just imagine that scene. Her brother came over as gregarious and friendly but he had a killer bite. 'I hope that doesn't make her hate you more Ella.'

  'She doesn't hate me!'

  'Oh come on Ella, she's not exactly friendly and loving towards you is she? I've seen the way she looks at you.'

  'She's not had a great life Tess. Her father didn't put money in trust for her like mine did. That's bound to grate a bit.'

  Tess choked back a reply. Ella just wouldn't take her rose tinted glasses off where her sisters were concerned.

  'Yeah okay. Anyway, I just wanted to check that Matt had seen you right and behaved himself after I'd gone. Look, I've got to go, I've got a lunch engagement. Love ya girlfriend!'

  Ella found herself saying goodbye to an empty line. Tess could be a whirlwind at times. She smiled to herself at Tess's comment about Matt behaving himself. Professionally - yes. Personally - well he'd been a bit naughty but a part of her had loved every minute.

  *

  'Remind me again why I'm here.'

  Matt turned to his twin, Zander, who had arrived home from Australia a couple of days ago.

  'Because I got two tickets for it.'

  Zander rolled his eyes. 'Yes, but usually when you go buy tickets for something like this, you take a woman along as your date. Usually when you and I go out, it's to the pub, or if it is something like this we have a date each.' Zander gave him a questioning stare.

  Matt shrugged his shoulders. 'I thought it was a good chance for two brothers who haven't seen much of each other in the last few weeks to catch up. You're just back from Australia and I've been working all hours filming the next series of 'Michelin Challenge'.' Matt was involved in two different TV programmes - one that was filmed from his professional kitchen and this one which required him to travel all over the UK.

  'Hmm.' Zander studied him thoughtfully. 'Okay, we'll leave it. How's the filming going?'

  Matt grinned. 'How do you think bro?'

  Zander smiled back. 'Not very well then. Your grin only measures about five inches across you face.'

  Matt swatted him on the shoulder. 'Hey, quit the mick! This new producer we've got on board is the bees' knees. She's hot man.'

  'In a 'look at her' hot or 'brilliant at her job' hot?'

  'Now when have I ever been interested in anyone I work with? She's ace at her job! There's an energy to this series. She's brimming with new ideas, AND she's agreed to the changes I wanted to make.'

  'Ah, that's what the grin's for. You've finally found a mug who thinks you're worth listening to!'

  Matt swiped Zander's beer away from him and polished it off.

  Zander shook his head at him. 'Tsk, tsk, such childish behaviour from my older brother.'

  'Uh huh - I know how to have a good time. 'Baby' brother, you want to lighten up a bit. Anyone would think you were the eldest… by twenty years!'

  'I'm comfortable with my qualities old man. I don't need to lighten up. Whereas you, could do with watching and learning.'

  'Hah! In your dreams. When we were being made, I was showered with the fun gene and you just got the dregs when you crawled along twenty minutes behind me.'

  'That'd be right. You probably kicked up a fuss at being ignored while I was being perfected and insisted on getting a bit more of something than me. My all-round, well balan
ced personality keeps your butt out of trouble.'

  'Hah! That's hilarious. You're funny after all.' Matt laughed out loud and clapped Zander on the back. 'Good to have you back bro. It's been too quiet without you.'

  'Well, nothing much changes between you boys, does it?'

  'Mr Brown!'

  'Mr Brown!'

  Both Matt and Zander had looked up and greeted their old headmaster, mentor and friend at the same time. Despite the years since they'd left school and moved away, the name 'Mr Brown' was so ingrained, they'd never called him by his first name.

  Mr Brown chuckled. 'Still the same double act I see. How are you both? It's been a while.'

  'Too long, and we're doing grand. Join us, please. We were just going to have another beer before the performance starts.' Matt signalled the bartender.

  'No, please, another time. I prefer being in your company when there are less women around - being stared at by hordes of them is just too much for my heart.' At this, he patted his chest.

  Matt and Zander looked round the theatre bar and realised they were attracting attention - again. They grinned at each other.

  'Besides I have an old friend with me tonight and we have some catching up to do. Matt, Zander, I'd like you to meet Daniel Lewis. Dan - Matt and Zander Adams.'

  As Matt shook the man's hand, he studied him. There was something familiar about him but he couldn't place it.

  'Good to meet you. Er, have we met before somewhere?'

  'I don't think so. I don't think I'd forget meeting you Mr Adams.'

  'Matt, please.'

  Daniel inclined his head in acknowledgment.

  'Dan, once met, never forgotten with these boys.' He turned to Matt and Zander. 'You have a quiet aura about you boys. Well, not so quiet in your case Matt, but you've both a presence about you that gets you noticed.'

  Matt knew if he looked at Zander just then, he'd see an identical grin to the one on his own face. Mr Brown had been telling them that since the day they'd left school. Back then, they'd thought he was just trying to rebuild their confidence after the shock and fallout of their parents' death, but over the years, they'd become very well aware of how people reacted to them. They didn't go out of their way to get noticed, not even Matt.

  'Enjoy the concert boys. Ella is a joy to watch.'

  'You've seen her before?'

  'Many times Matt. She was in your sisters' year at school until she left at fourteen. I kept in touch with her - encouraged her talent.'

  So Ella had been on the receiving end of Mr Brown's acts of kindness too had she? Interesting, thought Matt.

  The two older men moved away.

  'I think I remember an Ella in the girls' year.'

  'You do? I didn't… er don't.'

  Zander looked at him. 'Yeah, pretty, and tall for her age if I'm thinking of the right girl. Didn't realise she'd grown into the lovely beauty that is Daniella Lewis-Cannon.'

  Matt gritted his teeth. Anyone else wouldn't have noticed his tell-tale sign of interest, but Zander and he noticed every small detail about each other. It was useful, comforting and irritating all at the same time.

  Zander decided to wind him up a little more. 'Hmm, I think I'll go round to her dressing room after the concert and reacquaint myself with her.'

  Barely containing his irritation, Matt managed to spit out 'we're going straight back, you'll have to save that for another day.'

  Zander laughed. 'You're so easy to wind up Matt. You've obviously already met her, and are interested in her.' Matt's imperceptible relaxation of his muscles confirmed his observation. 'That would explain perhaps why I'm here and not a date.'

  'Hmm, I'm beginning to wish I had brought a date. No poaching!' Matt couldn't believe the wave of jealousy that had roiled over him at the thought of Zander going after Ella.

  Zander raised his left eyebrow. So Matt was smitten. Well, well, and they'd both sworn they were impervious to falling in love when they'd discovered, after their parents' death, what a love rat their father had been and how desperately sad and needy their mother had become.

  'There's nothing to talk about. Tess brought her over to the kitchen, I helped her out and haven't seen her since,' except I've spoken to her for hours on the phone, he added to himself.

  'Now, tell me about this winery you're so keen on down under.'

  Zander recognised when Matt had closed down. There would be no getting information from him until he was good and ready to share it, so he went with the change of topic.

  He raised his beer. 'Here's to a prosperous partnership with WLK Wines. I can't begin to tell you how impressed I was with what I saw. The sheer scale of the operation blew me away. I spent most of the time with Lucas Kinghorn - he's the third of the four brothers - who seems to deal with all the international sales.

  'I have to say that just as we'd researched which wineries we wanted to have exclusive contracts with, they'd done very extensive research on us before I arrived.' Zander looked thoughtful. 'I like Luke, there was a strong work ethic, well there was from all the brothers, but Luke and I just hit it off.'

  They rose to head for their seats as the five minute bell sounded.

  'Anyway, to cut a long story short, they've agreed to create a red and a white exclusive to our restaurants, with a sparkling to be added later if we want it.'

  'That's great news Zander. Once we get the advance bottles to taste, I'll set about creating the menu to match. In fact, it would be a good opportunity to run a competition amongst the chefs as well and feature the best ones on the menu.' Matt rubbed his hands together. 'I can't wait. Our very own wines. When are they due?'

  Zander whispered in response as they were moments away from the concert starting. 'Not sure, at least six months. I think Luke is coming across with them.'

  *

  Ella sat in her dressing room and let the peace wash over her. She could hear the hustle and bustle of the orchestra members and other folk packing up after a successful concert. She knew any minute there would be visitors but she just needed a few moments to compose herself. That had to have been one of her most successful concerts to-date - the atmosphere had been electric, the orchestra and support acts superb, the audience incredibly enthusiastic - and she'd loved every second of it.

  Maybe she'd enjoyed it so much because she knew Matt was in the audience. She'd looked for him. A thrill had coursed through her when she'd spotted him. She was sure she'd grinned at him like a Cheshire cat.

  She could feel a smile on her face just now as she thought about him. They'd both been busy since the wedding, but he'd found time to phone her for a chat. It had usually been late at night once he'd finished filming for the day and she'd come to look forward to hearing from him. She wasn't sure it could go anywhere - she had an aversion to men and Matt didn't date the same person for long, but she felt they'd got to know each other well enough over the phone to at least be friends. Part of her hoped he'd make it backstage but she wasn't sure she'd be able to hide her reaction to him from others and he was a secret she wanted to hold onto for a while.

  After a knock on the door, a familiar face walked in.

  'Mr Brown! Come on in.'

  He kissed her on both cheeks. 'Ella, that was simply magnificent! I think it was one of the best performances of yours I've ever attended.'

  'Thank you.'

  Ella smiled at him then glanced over at another man who'd also entered the room.

  'Ah, Ella, this is a friend of mine.' Mr Brown studied Ella. He and Daniel had discussed this moment many times over the years. Earlier tonight he'd questioned whether this was the right occasion but Daniel had said he no longer had any choice - that it was imperative she be told tonight.

  'I'd like to introduce you to Daniel Lewis.'

  Daniel took her hand. 'Hello Ella. It's a pleasure to meet you.'

  Ella placed her hand in his. Her eyes narrowed and she frowned. 'And you. There's something familiar about you. Have we met before?'

  Daniel held
on to her hand. 'Not directly, no. Although I've seen you many times throughout your life. Been at all your school concerts and sports days, your graduation and many of your professional concerts.'

  Ella pulled her hand away and looked between him and Mr Brown. 'I don't understand. What's going on? Have you been stalking me or something?'

  Mr Brown shook his head while he led Ella across to a chair. Gently, he said, 'I think you need to sit down Ella and hear him out.'

  Daniel took a deep breath and sat across from her.

  He cleared his throat. 'Where to start?' He looked at her for a moment. 'You know, I've rehearsed this moment so many times over the years and now it's here I don't know what to say. So I'll just say it and then start at the beginning.'

  Ella's eyes never left his face. Daniel could feel himself sweating. He'd longed for this moment and yet dreaded it at the same time. Over the years, he'd grown to love her more than he could have thought possible and would find it hard if she rejected him.

  'I'm your father Ella. Your moth….' He stopped, shocked at how quickly the colour had drained from Ella's face.

  Ella wasn't sure she'd heard him right. After all this time he shows himself! Why now?

  'You're my what? My father? After all this time? What kind of joke is this?'

  She was vaguely aware during this exchange, in the periphery of her consciousness, of footsteps walking down the corridor towards the door and after a pause, closing it.

  Mr Brown placed his hand on her arm. 'It's no joke Ella. Daniel is your father. Try not to judge him too harshly. At the very least, please hear what he has to say.'

  'I thought…. Your eyes….' Ella shook her head and closed her eyes. 'I don't know what to say.' She looked at Daniel again. 'Daniel Lewis. Daniella Lewis-Cannon. I was named after you wasn't I? My mother always denied that you were around when I was born. She said you hadn't wanted anything to do with me - that my education was guilt money. Was she right? Why now?'