A Slice of You by Coral A. Ward

Author:Coral A. Ward [Ward, Coral A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

17

The Trial

As Casa di Vitello came into view, I took a deep breath and pinched my arm to make sure that this was real. Just last week, I was at Patrick’s house serving him food from Mon Amour for his birthday, and now I was standing out the front of his restaurant about to walk in for a job trial. My heart raced, and all I could do was think about how proud my dad would have been that I was getting an opportunity like this – all thanks to his dough recipe. He would have hugged me and given me the kind of high-five that made your hand sting for minutes afterwards, just like he did when we aced a new dish together.

I smoothed my shirt before heading for the front entrance. You can do this, Naomi. You can, I repeated like a mantra in my head as I walked up three short steps and stepped onto the expansive wooden deck. There wasn’t a leaf in sight, and the deck looked freshly polished. The sound of cascading water caught my attention, and I turned to the white cherub wishing fountain. I reached into my pocket for a coin and tossed it in for good luck.

When I turned around, I noticed an exotic woman with glowing skin in her mid-twenties standing behind the outdoor service desk. She was examining the guestbook and bobbing her head to the classic Italian restaurant music coming from inside. I imagined the music was like something you’d hear in a restaurant in Rome. Her dark curly hair was twisted into a bun high upon her head, and a pen was balanced behind her ear. ‘Casa di Vitello’ was emblazoned in white letters across the chest of her silver apron, and the leather straps were duck-egg blue. Her simple uniform of a tailored white shirt and black pants gave her an air of casual sophistication.

‘Hi. How can I help you?’ She looked up with a curious glint in her eyes as she observed my black T-shirt and checked pants. After inspecting me, she looked into my eyes and gave me a warm smile.

‘I’m here for the job trial. Patrick asked me.’ I returned the smile.

‘Oh, yes, of course.’ She looked down at her silver watch. ‘You’re early.’

‘Yes. I’m Naomi. Pleased to meet you.’ I held out my hand.

She shook my hand. ‘I’m Clara. Come this way.’ She gestured for me to follow. I noticed the leather straps of her apron sat criss-crossed on her back. She began walking through the enormous restaurant that could sit over five hundred diners.

I followed her inside, reflecting on the differences I could already see between here and Mon Amour. On my first shift in Daniel’s restaurant, I got told to only ever come through the back and never through the front. He gave very specific instructions in a text message, and would scream at any chef if they walked in through the front – that was a big no-no. It was like he was embarrassed of his kitchen staff.

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