The Secret Ingredient (45 page)

Meredith had chosen to have a Sunday luncheon for her fortieth birthday, at home, though she had it fully catered. It was a subdued affair, to say the least. Andie felt a little out of place with all the sciencey bods; they were nice, but dull, or a little intense, or a little odd. She could have used a few drinks, but she had to drive. She had wanted to make the effort, to maintain some connection with her only sister, her only family. Besides, she had something to give her, and this seemed like an appropriate occasion.

Andie glanced out at the terrace and saw Philippa and Tristan. They looked decidedly bored. She knew how they felt, so she wandered out to join them.

‘Hi guys,' she said, smiling.

‘Hello, Aunty Andrea,' Philippa said politely. Tristan just gave her an awkward shrug.

‘So, lunch was nice,' she said. ‘Did you get plenty to eat?'

They both nodded.

She had no idea what to say to them, she didn't really know them. She pulled a chair over and sat down.

‘So, how's school?' she tried next. ‘Are you in high school yet, Tristan?'

He reddened a little. ‘Next year.'

She should have known that.

‘And Philippa, you must be in year . . .'

‘Nine,' she finished for Andie.

‘That means you're taking electives this year, right?'

She nodded.

‘So, what did you choose?'

‘Well, Mum and Dad insisted on a language, of course,' Philippa said. ‘But my school makes you do one anyway. I'm taking French.'

‘It's a beautiful language.'

‘Oh, do you speak it?'

‘No,' said Andie. ‘I took it at school, but I wasn't very good. There are a lot of French terms in cooking though,' she added.

Philippa had nothing to say to that.

‘What else did you choose?' Andie persisted.

‘Drama.'

‘That must be fun?'

‘Mum thinks it's a massive waste of time,' said Philippa. Then she looked sideways at Andie. ‘But I love it.'

Andie had to restrain herself from saying ‘You go, girl!' Instead, she asked, ‘Are you likely to have any productions during the year?'

‘Oh, yes, my school's quite big on that. We're going to do
A Midsummer Night's Dream
in term three.'

‘I love that play,' said Andie.

‘Oh, you know it?'

Yes, even lowly cooks like her aunty knew a little Shakespeare.

‘Could you make sure you let me know when it's on?' said Andie. ‘I'd love to come and see it.'

She looked bemused. ‘Would you really?'

‘Yes, really.'

And then she smiled, and Andie suddenly saw her mother. ‘Philippa, you look a little like Grandma, has anyone ever told you that?'

‘No,' she said.

‘Philippa, Tristan,' Neville called from the doorway. ‘Come say goodbye to Nanna and Aunty.'

Philippa jumped to her feet. ‘I'll make sure Mum tells you when the play's on,' she said.

‘I'll look forward to it,' said Andie.

She wandered back inside after them, standing over in a corner while the guests took their leave. It appeared to be a mass exodus, clearly no one wanted to be the last to leave in this group.

Eventually Meredith came back down the hall into the empty room. ‘Oh, Andrea, you're still here.'

‘Yes.'

‘Well, that's nice,' she said. ‘I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to talk to you all day.'

‘It's always difficult at your own party to get around to everyone.'

‘Yes,' she nodded. ‘But you don't have to run off, do you? Let's have a drink.'

‘Oh, I'm driving . . .'

‘Have you had much to drink yet?'

‘No, I only had a champagne for the toast.'

‘Well, then you can have a glass now,' she said. ‘What would you like?'

‘Oh, wine, I guess, whatever you're having.'

‘Neville,' she called into the kitchen, ‘bring Andrea and I a glass of wine, would you? Come and sit down.'

Andie followed her over to the sofa as Neville appeared with two glasses of red.

‘Thanks, Neville,' said Andie, when he passed her one.

‘Andrea and I are going to have a nice catch-up, Neville,' said Meredith, taking her glass.

He took the hint. ‘I'll leave you to it then,' he smiled, walking back to the kitchen.

Andie noticed Meredith's cheeks were quite pink, and her eyes glassy. She must have had a few of these already today, and they'd loosened her up. Andie had never seen her quite so relaxed.

She held up her glass. ‘Happy birthday, Meredith.'

‘Thank you,' she smiled, clinking her glass against Andie's. ‘And thank you for coming, I really appreciate it.'

‘Oh,' said Andie, remembering. ‘I have something for you.' She set her glass down on the coffee table. ‘Just a minute.'

She scooted up the hall to the main bedroom, where they had been invited to leave their bags. Andie picked up the gift box and took it back down to the sitting room. She passed it to Meredith.

‘Oh my goodness, what's this?' she said as Andie sat down next to her.

‘I didn't get the chance to give it to you before I left the house,' she said. ‘I've been holding on to it for you, I found it amongst Mum's things.'

Meredith opened the box and lifted out the album, a curious look on her face. Andie realised she must never have seen it either.

She opened the album and started going through the pages. ‘Oh, my, you found this at the house?'

Andie nodded. ‘There was one for me and Brendan as well. You never saw it before?'

Meredith shook her head. ‘I had no idea,' she said quietly, turning the pages, her eyes misting over. ‘This is a surprise.'

The album was opened on a page with a picture of her in primary school.

‘Look how cute you were,' said Andie.

Meredith looked at her sideways. ‘You're joking?'

‘No I'm not,' she insisted.

‘You and Brendan got all the looks,' she said, but not unkindly. ‘I got the brains, as Mum was always telling me. But, she used to say, you really have to try and do something with yourself, Meredith, if you want to get a husband one day. Look at your sister, she won't have any trouble.'

‘She said that to you?' Andie frowned.

Meredith nodded with a sigh, turning over to a photo of herself in high school. ‘And is it any wonder?'

It was probably not her best look – braces, pimples, a bad haircut.

‘All I ever got was how I had to improve myself,' said Andie. ‘That a pretty face wasn't everything. That I didn't have brains like you.'

Meredith shook her head.

‘I went past the old house on the way,' said Andie, picking up her glass again. ‘It looks good, they've spruced it up a bit.'

There was a young boy riding a bike in the driveway, and Andie had teared up seeing him.

‘I haven't been able to go there since you left,' said Meredith. ‘I miss Dad terribly. I know I didn't go and see him enough, I just took for granted he'd always be there, when I had time.' She shook her head regretfully. ‘I feel so guilty.'

Andie reached her hand across to cover her sister's. ‘Oh, Meredith, I don't think guilt does anyone any good.'

Meredith looked at her. ‘I'm so glad you came today, Andrea.'

‘I'm glad too.'

‘I want to begin by thanking you all for coming,' said Jess, getting everyone's attention.

They had decided to hold a launch before they kicked off the takeaway menu next week. It wasn't a marketing exercise, they didn't even invite anyone from the local rag. It was just a private party to celebrate their new venture and thank everyone who had helped along the way.

‘This is something Andie and I dreamed of doing for a long time,' Jess went on, ‘in one form or another. And to be honest, the way it's turned out is beyond any of my wildest dreams.

‘So we have some special people to thank – and the most special of all, I think you'll agree, is Mr Toby Miller, for the amazing renovations!'

That elicited a big cheer and applause, and Toby raised his hand as though he was acknowledging his disciples.

‘Yeah, they know who you are, Toby,' said Jess. ‘You've been handing out business cards all night.' There was a ripple of laughter before she went on. ‘We also want to thank the lovely Donna, and Steph, and Angela . . . and the rest of the casual staff – I'm sure to leave someone out if I try to remember all your names, but you're getting free drinks tonight, so deal with it. But we are really grateful to you all for picking up the slack and keeping the place running while Andie and I have been otherwise occupied.

‘Which brings me to the main person I want to thank tonight, and that's the woman standing right beside me. Like she has been for over a dozen years now. Everyone who has ever worked at The Corner Gourmet knows that Andie is about the best boss you could ever ask for – and not just because she's a complete pushover.'

That raised another laugh.

‘But also because she is generous to a fault, and I'm not just saying that. She gave me the nod to go ahead with all this while she was still working full-time as a chef, because it was something I wanted. She left it all to me, trusted me to make the decisions, gave me a blank cheque. Now her circumstances have changed and I couldn't be happier that we're going to be working together again.' She turned to Andie and raised her glass. ‘To my best friend, Andie.'

‘To Andie,' the crowd repeated.

‘And to Jess,' said Andie, holding up her glass.

‘And to The Corner Gourmet!' Jess added.

People converged to offer their congratulations, but eventually Andie pushed her way through the throng. She had spotted Brooke standing on her own, and she hadn't really had the chance to talk to her yet, except to offer a quick hello when they first arrived.

‘Where's your mum?' Andie asked when she got to her.

‘Oh, she saw someone she knew,' said Brooke. ‘I think she's out front in the shop.'

Andie nodded. ‘So, how are you?'

‘Not too bad,' she said. ‘Mid-semester break is over Easter, then I don't think I'll be coming up for air.'

‘And Matty?'

‘Oh, he sent his apologies,' she said. ‘He didn't think it would be quite his scene.'

Andie smiled. ‘It's okay, I didn't really expect him to come.' She paused. ‘And so to the inevitable, how's your dad?'

‘He's really well, almost back to normal, he reckons. He's back at work on reduced hours, but he hasn't gone back to the gym, I don't know if he ever will.'

‘Can't say I blame him.'

Brooke nodded, but she was frowning. ‘Andie, I wanted to tell you something, before you heard it from someone else.'

Andie could guess what it was before Brooke confirmed it.

‘Dad's seeing someone. She's younger than you, but older than Tasha, and Lauren, which is a relief.'

Andie waited for some sensation, a pang, but nothing came. ‘Thanks for telling me,' she said. ‘But it's okay. I really am over him.'

Brooke sighed. ‘You know, when Tasha left I thought maybe you two would get back together.'

‘Brooke —'

‘No, it's okay, I understand. He brought it on himself,' she said. ‘It's just . . .' Her eyes teared up. ‘He's my dad, and it's getting a little bit pathetic.'

Andie put an arm around her. ‘Promise me something?'

Brooke nodded, brushing a tear away with the back of her hand.

She thought about how to put it. ‘Well, promise me that you won't think the worst of men because of this, there really are some good ones out there, believe me. But the mistakes that fathers make can screw up their daughters forever. I would feel partly responsible if that happened.'

‘Why would you feel responsible?'

‘I broke up your family in the first place, Brooke.'

She was shaking her head. ‘No you didn't. Dad did that. It was his family to break.' She paused. ‘Anyway, we're not broken.'

‘No, you're not, you're absolutely right,' said Andie. ‘You're a wonderful family, always hold on to that.'

Joanna walked up to join them. ‘What a great night, Andie,' she said. ‘And the place is fabulous, I think it's going to be a raging success.'

‘Thanks, Joanna.'

‘I'm afraid we have to get going,' she said, nudging Brooke. ‘Hey, chicken?'

‘Early class tomorrow,' Brooke said, pulling a face.

‘Ah, I almost forgot, I have something for you, Andie,' said Joanna, rooting around in her bag. ‘Emily is turning one next month.'

‘Oh my God,' said Andie, ‘she's one already?'

‘I know – crazy, right?' said Brooke.

Joanna held out an envelope. ‘This is an invitation to her birthday party.'

Andie just stared at it.

‘It's okay, it's from Lauren,' Joanna assured her.

She accepted the envelope gingerly. ‘That's so nice, tell her thank you.'

‘Great,' said Brooke. ‘So we'll see you there. It's only in a couple of weeks.'

Andie looked at Joanna. ‘Are you sure it'll be okay?'

‘You are invited,' said Joanna. ‘You're family, for heaven's sake, you always will be.'

They said their goodbyes and Andie watched them make their way through the shop. Toby came up behind her.

‘Was that Ross's daughter?' he asked.

Andie nodded. ‘And her mum.'

‘You mean his first wife?'

‘Yep.' She looked up at him. ‘We're family, and we always will be.'

Toby frowned. ‘Have you seen Ross?'

‘No, I haven't, not for a while,' said Andie. ‘And I have no intention of seeing him, so you can relax. Brooke just told me he's got someone new.'

‘You are kidding me?' said Toby.

Andie smiled. ‘What do they say? There's a sucker born every minute.'

‘How about you?' he asked. ‘Are you still seeing that bloke you told me about?'

Andie was glad Toby and Donna didn't know all that much about Dominic.

‘No, that didn't go anywhere,' she said. And there was the pang, the one she couldn't muster at the news of Ross.

Toby put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. ‘Oh, well, there's plenty more fish in the ocean – and you are quite a catch, after all.'

Andie just looked at him.

‘I can't believe I just said that. I am actually turning into my father.'

Donna walked over with Max perched on her hip.

‘I blame him,' said Toby, as Donna passed Max over.

‘What for?' Donna frowned.

‘For turning me into a dad.'

‘Don't try and follow the logic,' Andie reassured Donna.

‘I think we're going to have to go,' she said. ‘Max is tired.'

His head was drooping on his father's shoulder.

‘Thanks for everything,' said Andie. ‘Really, I couldn't get by without you two. I hope you know that.'

‘Stop it,' said Toby. ‘You want me to start crying? Ruin the burly builder thing I've been working on all night?'

It was only just after ten when Jess saw the last of the guests out the front door of the shop, locking it behind them. But the two of them had been at it since before seven this morning. Andie did all the canapés, borrowing quite a few ideas from Viande, while Jess made three of the dishes that were going to be on the inaugural takeaway menu – a Sri Lankan beef curry, a Moroccan-inspired chicken casserole, and a vegetarian mushroom and leek risotto – served in tiny individual bowls with tiny bamboo forks that were recyclable and compostable and whatever else – Jess was taking a very green approach to the whole thing.

She came out from the front, waving a bottle of champagne. ‘Time to celebrate,' she said.

‘Should we open another bottle now?' said Andie. ‘Just for the two of us?'

‘Seriously, can you remember finishing even one glass tonight? We were run off our feet. Now we can relax.'

‘You're right. Open away.'

Jess popped the cork and poured them both a glass. ‘To us!'

Andie smiled, raising hers and taking a drink.

Jess was watching her. ‘Okay, spill, Andie.'

‘What?'

‘There's something wrong.'

‘No there isn't.'

‘Oh yes there is. You don't seem very happy. There's no spring in your step.'

‘That's because I've been on my feet all day,' she protested, swinging them up now to plant them on a nearby chair.

Jess shook her head. ‘No, you've been like this all week. Longer. I've been jumping out of my skin, but you've just been going through the motions, I could tell. And I'm worried about you.'

‘I'm just tired.'

‘Andie,' she said, ‘I'm your best friend, right?'

‘Of course.'

‘Then stop the bullshit and tell me what's wrong.'

Andie sighed heavily, thinking about it. ‘When I was still with Ross, and I kept trying out new things here, I'd get into it for a while, but then I'd lose interest. I remember Ross once said I was flitting about, but in the end, it just wasn't enough . . . But every single day at the restaurant, even when I was doing the most mundane tasks, I was still just thrilled to be there, every dinner and lunch service, being even a small part of creating each and every one of those meals that went out. Even the last day I was still learning something new . . .'

There was that pang again, when she thought of the last day, the last time she drove out of the carpark at Viande, tears streaming down her face.

‘Then you have to go back,' Jess said simply.

‘No, I can't —'

‘Why not?'

‘Because we've got this up and running now, and it's great, really. Don't worry, I'll get into it, in time.'

‘I'm afraid that's not good enough,' said Jess.

Andie looked at her. ‘What do you mean?'

‘If you don't feel the same excitement I'm feeling about this, then this is not where you should be.'

‘It doesn't matter anyway, I can't go back to Viande.'

‘Then get a job somewhere else,' said Jess. ‘But you have to do it right now, while your experience is still relevant, and you can put it in your résumé. You can't wait around another ten years, I won't let you.'

Andie frowned, biting her lip. ‘I feel like I'd be letting you down.'

Jess covered her hand. ‘You'll only be letting me down if you don't do it.'

‘But how can you run all this on your own?'

‘I won't,' she said. ‘I'll get somebody in on a casual basis. I know chefs that would be happy to pick up extra shifts.'

Andie took a sip of her champagne, thinking.

‘You have to do it, Andie,' Jess said seriously. ‘This place will always be here – it can be your fallback position. Not that I think you're going to need it.'

She gave Jess a small, tentative smile. ‘But I am going to need a reference.'