The Sinking Chef (Pot Love Book 2) by Sylvia Ashby

Author:Sylvia Ashby [Ashby, Sylvia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vangtorp Volumes
Published: 2017-04-16T23:00:00+00:00

The bank has received an offer to buy Il Luogo’s loan. If Giacomo’s company can’t pay it off by the end of the month they’ll sell it to the highest bidder. Giacomo had a last-minute meeting with Steve Salter today. Apparently, they are willing to let the loan go for as little as 70p per pound.

‘But… what does that even mean?’ I ask incredulous.

I feel like I’ve been asking that question a lot, lately.

‘Bottom line is Il Luogo might be someone else’s restaurant very soon,’ Giacomo says eventually.

‘Whose restaurant would it be?’ I bite my lips.

‘It’d belong to a company called “Jim’s Jersey Justice”. They’re the highest bidder right now. The only bidder, actually—’ Giacomo is frowning at his hands. He’s clutching them in front of him like his life depends on it. The bones are clearly visible under the tightly stretched skin.

‘How long have you known about this?’ I ask.

‘Couple of days.’ He rubs his forehead.

I understand now why he was so reluctant to talk about Il Luogo earlier. It must’ve been so hard for him to keep this to himself, so as not to spoil everyone’s evening.

‘You should’ve told me earlier,’ I reprove him gently. ‘And Paolo is family. He’d understand.’

‘What would I understand?’ Paolo walks into the kitchen with a spring in his step. He’s holding an empty wine bottle. ‘We need more wine.’ He waves the bottle in the air. Sensing the dark atmosphere in the kitchen his face drops. ‘What’s going on?’ he asks.

Giacomo and I look at each other. This is not my news to divulge, thank God. I’ve never been a good bearer of bad news. I’d rather keep things to myself until it’s too late, than spoil someone’s mood.

‘What?’ Paolo says again.

‘We have some news,’ Giacomo starts reluctantly. I fix my eyes on a lampshade in the middle distance. The thing about bad news is, once it’s out it becomes reality. It’s a lot harder to be in denial about something if people insist on pointing the reality out to you.

‘Are you pregnant?’ Paolo suddenly exclaims and points at me.

‘What? No!’ I say appalled. Why do people insist on thinking I’m pregnant? First those Mumsnet mums and now Paolo.

Is my stomach too big? I look down at it. It’s there, like it’s always been – not too big, not too small. Normal.

‘The bank is selling Il Luogo.’ Giacomo gets it out in one breath. Quickly, like peeling a plaster fast so it hurts less. It hurts just the same, judging by Paolo’s stunned expression.

‘I didn’t know Il Luogo was up for sale,’ he says eventually.

‘You’re selling Il Luogo?’ Patrizia has just walked into the kitchen looking horrified.

‘It isn’t.’ Giacomo shakes his head. ‘And I’m not. I’ll do anything in my power to stop the sale. Somebody got a whiff from somewhere we’re in trouble and approached the bank. They want to buy off the loan the bank has given me. Seventy p per pound. Effectively becoming the owners—’

There is a momentary silence in the kitchen.

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