Stolen Kiss (The Turners of Copper Island #2)

Chapter 30

Chapter Thirty

Jason

A rcher, Erica, Jason, Heidi, Luke and Daisy sat in a row on the metal worktop in Edward Hall kitchens. But not in that order. Heidi was sitting in between Erica and Daisy discussing wedding options. Heidi wanted to get married as soon as possible saying they’d wasted enough time. She would be happy with Reverend Sprite and then pizza. Jason had some choice words about that decision and they spent most of the last two weeks happily bickering about it. Heidi’s dad didn’t care what they had but questioned if roast potatoes went with pizza.

They were waiting for Stan to let them know what the inspector said.

Stan burst in from outside, snow covering his shoulders. He unbuttoned his coat shook off the flakes.

“It’s pelting it down out there,” he said.

He left his coat on but unbuttoned and shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked towards them.

“What’s the verdict, Stan? Don’t make us wait.”

Stan eyed them warily and pulled out a spanner putting it on the table opposite them.

“What the fuck is that for?” Jason barked.

“Well. You passed the inspection with flying colours. Looks like two million pounds worth of renovations did the trick.”

Jason baulked at his words and swallowed hard. It would take some time to make that back in profit but at least now they had a top class hotel for their guests to stay at.

“Then what’s that for?” Luke asked.

“Hold on,” Daisy said. “Maybe you should just hand the spanner to the sibling in charge of that area.”

“Okay,” Stan said, looking at them like a frightened rabbit.

He lifted the spanner and then walked to Jason and handed it to him. Then he hightailed it around the other bench running parallel so he had a barrier. Jason wondered what Stan expected him to do? Throw it back at him?

“Why have I got this?” Jason said.

“The husband to be doesn’t like the menu.”

“It’s five fucking days away. He’s a bit too late, Stan.”

“He has a new suggestion, a new menu. You said yourself it was boring. Now he’s changing it, you’re not happy. You’re a diva chef.”

Jason didn’t have an answer to that.

“Well, at least he knows what he wants. Has he at least chosen food in season, accessible to be flown over? Is he going to goddamn pay for the new menu?”

Jason could hear his voice rising and Stan stepped further away.

“Yes, I think to all of those things, although I’m not an expert in what’s in season. The Mrs does all the cooking.”

He got a row of glares for that comment.

The inspection jubilation all forgotten in light of the new revelation.

“What’s he want?” Jason asked.

“I’ve already sent it to you. All,” he said to the row of us.

Archer, Erica, Jason, Luke and Daisy pulled out their phones and checked their emails. Heidi looked over Erica’s shoulder.

“Interesting menu,” Archer commented.

“He wants Yorkshire puddings? With Salmon? What the fuck?” Jason said.

“It’s actually all right. Most of this we can source here. At least they’re keeping the rum and raisin ice-cream,” Daisy said.

“I wanted to do nothing for four days,” Jason grumbled.

“You run a business now. No downtime anymore,” Archer said and hopped off the table, extending his hand to Erica. She jumped down too, and the rest followed.

“Tell him we can do it and we’ll send him a bill. He pays up front, and he needs to sign off this menu. In blood,” Jason said.

Stan grinned. “Already done.”

Jason looked heavenward and then sliced to Heidi mouthing he was sorry. They had plans to spend four days in bed as she had time off until Christmas Eve where she would take the holiday days so the other nurses could spend it with their children.

“Let’s get to work,” Jason said.