Home For June

by Juliet Madison

  ‘Yes. That I can do.’ She picked up one thyme sprig and ran her thumb and forefinger down the stem, releasing the leaves into the pan. She repeated it with the remaining two, then Luca gave the pan a stir. ‘Are you going to make me peel the capsicums though? I’ve never done that before.’

  ‘In that case, yes.’ He grinned. He slid the bowl towards her and took off the plastic wrap. ‘These should be ready. See how the skin has lifted?’

  She nodded.

  He took one and pinched the corner of the skin, peeling it downwards. ‘Ah, so rewarding, feel that baby slide right off.’

  ‘Let me try.’ Hannah took another and followed his movements. The first part slid off easily, the second got a bit stuck. ‘Hmm.’ She picked at it, and Luca gave the pan another stir.

  ‘Be gentle with it. Some parts will naturally peel more easily than others. Just glide it with even pressure and don’t yank it off.’

  ‘Yes, Chef.’

  She continued, and soon all three capsicums were as naked as a baby’s (red) bum.

  Luca scooped out the seeds in a flash, and handed her the vegetable to slice into thin strips.

  ‘All set. Now here are some tomatoes I prepared earlier.’ He slid over a bowl.

  ‘You sound like you’re on a cooking show.’

  He chuckled. ‘I doubt I’ll end up doing that. But cooking classes I could do, maybe some workshops of various kinds?’

  ‘I think that would be great. I had envisioned different themed nights too, for guests to dine, but you could do something similar with cooking workshops.’

  ‘Yeah,’ he said, stirring the onions in the pan. ‘Like one for soups, one for desserts, one for egg recipes, for example.’

  ‘Definitely. And each person can not only watch you do your thing, but help with the recipe, and then everyone gets to eat what’s been made and maybe take some samples home.’

  ‘Home Cooking 101!’

  ‘Yes!’

  Without thinking she held up her hand and he high-fived it. They hadn’t done that since before their kiss.

  ‘Okay, let’s add all the red things to the pan now.’ He picked up the bowl of diced tomatoes, and she picked up the sliced capsicums.

  ‘Red things... is that official kitchen terminology?’

  ‘It is in my kitchen.’ He smirked.

  She added her contribution and he stirred the pan, then reduced the heat to low.

  ‘While this simmers for about twenty minutes, we’ll do the chicken.’

  He browned the boned pieces for a couple of minutes each side, then placed into the oven. ‘And both should be ready around the same time. Voila!’

  ‘And that’s it?’

  ‘I’ll season it to taste and add some Cajun spice. Garnish with fresh herbs and then, voila!’

  Hannah licked her lips. ‘This is the best job in the world.’

  ‘Ha-ha, hungry, eh?’

  ‘Just a bit. I wasn’t before, but now I am. How did you do that?’

  ‘Magic,’ He clicked his fingers.

  Hannah remembered something. She ducked her head out of the kitchen doorway. ‘Did I smell something else enticing when I walked in?’

  ‘Ahh, you noticed?’

  She went to the reception counter. ‘Jasmine,’ she said.

  ‘Indeed. You like?’

  She turned to look at him. ‘I love.’ She twiddled the reed sticks for a moment and lifted her fingers to her nose. The scent brought her back home instantly. ‘Oops, I should have washed my hands first. Sorry, Chef. Now it might smell like capsicum and thyme.’ She flashed an apologetic smile.

  ‘Nah, it’s okay. Jasmine will outdo it.’ His head disappeared behind the kitchen again, followed by the sound of water flowing from the tap.

  She noticed the cut-out squares and rectangles of paper stuck loosely but purposefully on the wall rising up alongside the stairs. ‘Ah, you’re getting ready to hang the frames for the photo wall. Positioning looks great,’ she said as he returned and stood beside her, shaking his hands dry.

  ‘Yes, I followed your suggestion. Now I can see how it’ll look before I hang up the picture hooks.’

  They walked around the premises and discussed a few more things, and soon enough the meal was ready.

  ‘Shall we take it upstairs today?’ he asked, spooning the cassolette into bowls and topping each with chicken and herbs.

  ‘A table with a view?’

  ‘Best in the house. I mean Home.’ He smiled, and they each carried their lunch up to a table beside the glass doors opening onto the deck, and the magnificent view that graced a small part of his kitchen thanks to the magic of modern printing.

  Hannah checked her watch. ‘Ah, plenty of time before your next interviewee arrives.’

  ‘Yep, so let’s sit back and stuff our faces and enjoy this view and some peace and quiet.’ He got comfortable in the chair.

  ‘Does that mean I have to be quiet? And peaceful?’

  ‘Nah, you can talk as much as you want. Listening to you is still quiet and peaceful. But no business for a little while, how about that? A proper lunchbreak.’

  ‘Deal,’ she said, digging into the moist chicken resting atop the cassolette. ‘Mmm, another winner. Seriously,’ she said as she gulped down her biteful, ‘you don’t even need to practise, you know perfectly well what you’re doing, Mr Antonescu.’ She offered him a curious gaze.

  He shrugged. ‘But one can never get too much practice.’

  ‘Especially when it comes to practising the eating part.’ She covered her smiling mouth a little as she ate and spoke at the same time.

  ‘Well there is that.’ He smiled and ate another mouthful. ‘And feel free to take some more to your parents for me.’

  ‘Really? Thanks, Luca, I think you are their new favourite person. They practically have their own personal chef.’

  ‘It’s nothing, really. There’s nothing I love more than making people’s bellies satisfied.’

  ‘I can see that.’ She patted her own, and he held his hand to his chest and bowed as if greatly rewarded by her satisfaction.

  ‘If you weren’t a chef, what would you do?’ she asked him. ‘Hypothetically.’

  ‘Hmm, maybe a gardener. Nathan’s job is pretty interesting to me,’ he said.

  ‘Ah yeah, he is good at it,’ she said, then quickly changed the subject. ‘I would have been an interior decorator, I think. But I get to do a bit of it anyway in events management.’

  ‘You’d be great. I mean, you are great. But what else, apart from that, what other skills have you developed over the years that I’m yet to be made aware of, HD?’

  She realised that was the first time he’d called her HD since their kiss also. Maybe the tension between them was softening somewhat and they were almost back to being old friends.

  She breathed deeply and sighed an uncertain sigh. ‘I’m not sure. What do you think?’

  ‘Maybe a gardener too?’

  ‘I kinda do some of that already. But hmmm, what about... a vet?’

  ‘Oh yes, a vet. Perfect for you.’

  ‘Oh, but I’d get way too sad.’ She pouted. ‘It’d be nice to see animals get better, but to see animals suffering... that would be so hard for me.’

  ‘Yeah, me too. Okay, a big no to the vet career then.’

  ‘Agreed.’

  ‘Dog walker?’

  ‘Possibly.’

  ‘You’d also be good with kids, I bet. How about day care, or early childhood teaching?’

  Hannah’s heart fluttered. She gave a slow nod. ‘Now that would be rewarding actually.’ If she couldn’t have her own, she could help contribute to the lives of others.

  She changed the subject again. ‘While we’re talking hypotheticals... let’s see... another question.’ She tapped her spoon against her lips. ‘If you had to... choose between having a million dollars up-front in a lump sum, or one-hundred thousand dollars given to you once a year for ten years, which would you choose?’
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br />   Luca swallowed his mouthful then said, ‘Lump sum for sure. Pay all bills and loan, then invest the rest and let the interest pay me each year. At least, that’s what I think my brother would recommend.’

  ‘It would be good. Though I kind of like the idea of having the one-hundred K regularly, to take the pressure of living expenses and allow me to have freedom to do whatever I want for a while. I’d invest also, but I’d worry that with a lump sum I wouldn’t have the willpower not to overuse it.’

  ‘Hannah Delaney with no willpower? I don’t believe that. You’re the strongest, most disciplined person I know.’

  She shrugged. ‘Guess I am disciplined, but maybe part of me sometimes doesn’t want to be. Maybe I want to know what it’s like to be undisciplined for a while. Unplanned. I dunno.’

  Luca eyed her for a moment. ‘You need a holiday,’ he said. ‘A change of scenery. When was the last time you took a holiday? Like, overseas?’

  ‘Never been overseas.’

  ‘No? Oh man, you have to change that sometime. Make a promise to me you’ll go overseas sometime, finances permitting, within the next...’

  ‘Ten years?’

  ‘Um, no. Two years. That gives you enough time to settle in Sydney, earn some dough, and make some plans. Deal?’

  ‘Umm.’ She shifted in her seat. ‘It’s a big thing to agree to, and to plan. And if I’m going to live in Sydney I should keep working towards having my own place, and you know how shocking the prices are there.’

  ‘Two years,’ he repeated. ‘Promise me.’

  She hesitated.

  ‘And if you haven’t planned anything by eighteen-months’ time, I’ll do it for you and I’ll take you there myself. Deal?’

  ‘You would come with me, overseas? Just so I can have a change of scenery and get out of my predictable routine?’

  He nodded. ‘I promise. So if you don’t want me tagging along, organise something within eighteen months, or I’m coming with you. And I could either be a great help or a pain in the arse, who knows.’ He held out his hand.

  She squirmed a little, then slowly, slowly reached out her hand.

  He tapped it twice, tugged down on her thumb and they did the handshake.

  ‘If definitely definite now. We’ve done the handshake. Can’t go back on a special handshake deal.’

  ‘Guess not,’ she said, her stomach doing a little somersault. He may have satisfied her belly, but he had also given her belly butterflies. Just like she used to get around him, all those years ago.

  With three and a half weeks to go, she didn’t know how many more butterflies she could take.

  Chapter 20

  Luca studied the woman sitting across from him. Black hair pulled tautly back into a bun like a ballet dancer, eyes focused and unblinking, hands calmly folded in her lap. First impressions told him she would be an efficient worker, ambitious, but cool under pressure.

  ‘Six years at the one restaurant... and why are you keen to change?’ he asked, pen poised to paper, and Hannah mirroring him.

  ‘We all need a change sometimes. I’m satisfied working at the Vietnamese restaurant, but keen for more variety, in food and working environment. I understand you’ll be serving a variety of dishes from different cultures?’

  ‘Correct.’ He felt like he had to speak more formally, being the interviewer. Though the un-formal Luca would probably say, ‘Yup.’

  ‘I like that.’ She smiled.

  Luca returned the smile. ‘And as you live a good two hours away, are you prepared to travel or move closer if given a full-time job?’

  She nodded with enthusiasm, like one of those bobbing head dolls often seen in the back window of a car. ‘The Northern Beaches are nice, but every time I’ve visited Tarrin’s Bay I’ve felt so... welcomed. Comfortable. At home.’

  Luca nodded.

  ‘And would you be moving a family down with you?’

  ‘No, just me. I’ve recently gone through a divorce.’ Her fingers intertwined on her lap.

  Ah, looking for a fresh start. A new beginning. And as he knew, Tarrin’s Bay was the place to go for one of those.

  ‘Lea, can I ask,’ Hannah said. ‘What is your favourite ingredient?’

  Luca held back a grin. He was focused on the business and career questions, the logistics, the likelihood of hiring a stayer, and she was curious about favourite foods.

  Lea smiled and her hands relaxed. ‘Garlic.’

  Oh. Nice work, Hannah. She was probably just lightening the mood. Must be a woman’s intuition or something.

  ‘I know it gets a reputation for causing bad breath, but to be honest I’d rather enjoy it and face the consequences.’ She gave a small chuckle. ‘It’s such an important ingredient in so many dishes... without garlic, so many meals simply don’t work.’

  Hannah nodded, and Luca added, ‘True.’ He then asked, ‘Lastly, what does “home” mean to you?’

  Lea glanced upwards, her lips twisting to one side. ‘It means... feeling somehow... right, wherever you are.’

  Luca jotted down a few notes. ‘Thank you, Lea, pleasure talking with you. Thanks for coming in.’ He stood.

  ‘Pleasure. Thank you for your time and the opportunity.’ She held out her hand. For a moment he wondered whether to try the handshake on her too, as an added component of the assessment criteria, to suss out how well they’d work together with his playfulness. But he resisted, for now.

  She left and he turned to face Hannah.

  ‘You wanted to show her the handshake, didn’t you.’ Hannah grinned.

  He shrugged. ‘Maybe.’

  ‘Definitely.’

  ‘Maybe definitely.’

  ‘Definitely definitely.’ She laughed. ‘Well whoever you choose to work here will eventually find out, but I think you’ll have to come up with a new, special Home handshake.’

  ‘Yes, good idea. I should keep ours just for us.’ He didn’t want to downplay the sentimentality of their special greeting. ‘So, score out of ten?’

  ‘Hmm. Nine. She was pretty good.’

  ‘Agreed.’ He nodded. ‘Let’s see how contestant number two fares,’ he said, as the next subject wandered in.

  And when the interviews were over for the day, they had a nine, an eight, a ten (instantly hired as waiter), and... a four (probably not hired as waiter).

  At just before five, after Hannah had left, he received a call. He didn’t recognise the number.

  Might be another job applicant.

  ‘Luca, hi. It’s April from April’s Glow. Your thirty candles have arrived nice and early.’ Even her voice smiled.

  ‘Oh, fantastic. I’d forgotten about them.’

  ‘Well you won’t be able to forget them once you fill that restaurant with their beautiful fragrance. Would you like me to drop them off at your premises after work if you’re there, or would you like to come and get them?’

  ‘I can get them, no problem. I’ll be leaving soon anyway. What time do you close?’

  ‘Fifteen minutes, but I’ll be here for another hour closing up, so just knock on the door.’

  He was there at five.

  ‘You got a bonus,’ she said when he walked in. ‘My supplier had a special for those who order more than twenty of the same item. An extra candle. It’s not jasmine though, it’s vanilla.’

  Luca smiled, but more so on the inside. ‘Vanilla will be wonderful. I might keep that one at home for myself.’

  To remind me of Hannah.

  ‘Great, it’s always nice to get an unexpected bonus.’ She smiled. ‘Well, here we go.’ She slid the box on the counter. ‘And let me just sort out the remaining balance.’ She tapped at the computer register, and gave him the final amount to pay, which he did.

  ‘Tomorrow I’ll be setting up the bookings for my restaurant launch,’ he said before walking out. ‘All going well and there are no technical disasters, it should be live by the end of the day. Home at Tarrin’s Bay dot com,’ he said.

  ‘Fab!
I’ll check it out. See you around.’

  He smiled and gave a wave, and the door jingled as he exited the shop, leaving behind the delicious scents.

  Vanilla.

  He could smell it already. He had cravings of vanilla custard, vanilla milkshakes, and vanilla ice cream. He put the box of candles into his car then stopped by the ice-cream shop to buy a vanilla cone. It didn’t matter that it was close to dinnertime. He often ate dessert first, it was more satisfying that way; that rush of sugar into the bloodstream, those eager tastebuds soaking up the sweet flavours, and his hungry stomach making plenty of room for more.

  He walked through Miracle Park with his ice cream, the sun dying away behind the clouds, and the water of the Wishing Fountain still and serene. He stopped and glanced at his reflection. He chuckled. A grown man looking like a happy child. It was good. He didn’t want to get bogged down in the seriousness of adult life all the time, and the consequences of getting older, and family getting older. He wanted to remember what it was like to feel that childlike wonder, to believe anything was possible, and to feel limitless.

  When his ice cream was finished, he opened his wallet and took out a two-dollar coin. So it wasn’t the official day of the Wishing Festival, but there was no time like the present. He took a breath and tossed the coin into the water. With a plop it sank to the bottom, ripples radiating out from its landing spot to the edges of the fountain, his reflection going wobbly.

  Wish made.

  He had initially decided on a simple wish for his business, but as the coin was in the air, he suddenly knew what he wanted more. He didn’t know if he even believed if it were possible. But in that moment just before the coin descended to its watery new home, he knew he had to wish for it. Even if wishes were a load of rubbish. But if somehow they weren’t, well, it was always nice to get an unexpected bonus.

  ***

  After Hannah fed the chooks and Scarlett, she went through the interview applicants again in her mind. They’d all been great candidates, except the last one. He would need to learn not to infuse every sentence with an array of swear words if he was to impress a potential boss. Luca had been kind to give him a four, for her it was a three.