Page 67 of The Chef and the Countess

Chapter 20

The next time Liam glanced at the clock, it read one in the morning. Finally, they had finished the scrubbing. Timmy swept the last of the broken glass from the floor, and the staff stood in a semi-circle, staring at Liam.

Right. He should say—something. Celia’s words entered his tired mind.

Open up, and welcome them into your heart. Sit at the head of the table and get to know them better. Share a laugh and praise them for a job well done where warranted.

“I want to thank you for all your hard work. I also want to apologize for my rude behavior earlier tonight. I was angry over Teddy’s situation and took it out on you. I’m sorry. As far as Teddy is concerned, I sent him on an errand, but little did I know that the man in question would claim to be Teddy’s father. Teddy elected to stay with him.”

Gasps and murmurs moved through the staff, and their expressions showed shock and worry. Liam couldn’t blame them; the entire incident sounded fantastical—as did many other incidents and revelations over the past several months.

“Teddy is sixteen, old enough to make up his mind,” Liam continued. “His father owns a chop house, and Teddy wants to work there, make improvements, and the like. Timmy and Tommy, he says he will be in contact soon. Meanwhile, we’re to pack up his things. It’s nothing against you, lads, or anyone else here; Teddy was ready to move on. If you have any questions about this, ask me tomorrow, yeah?”

Everyone nodded, but Tommy looked genuinely hurt, and that made Liam’s heart tighten. “One more thing, Celia mentioned about the staff sharing a family meal. I think it’s a brilliant idea. Starting tomorrow, we’ll close the restaurant at half past five, instead of six. Gather for the meal, day and night staff, then continue our duties afterward. I figure about forty-five minutes will be enough. Tommy, your suggestion of the potato shavings is brilliant, lad. Well done.”

Tommy flushed with pleasure.

“It’s late. Let’s call it a night. A little extra will be in your pay packets for tonight’s hard work. I appreciate every one of you. Thank you.”

The staff moved toward the exit. Some touched their forelocks, and some smiled. Liam heard one of the night staff whisper to another, “Cor, I ain’t never heard him speak that much.”

“Tommy, come here, lad.”

Tommy came to stand before Liam. “Aye, Liam?”

“Are you upset about Teddy?”

“A little. I thought he liked it here.”

Liam smoothed Tommy’s thick, black hair. “He did. But Teddy is older than we thought and ready to strike out alone. He saw an opportunity and he took it. His father is a criminal type in Devil’s Acre, where Teddy lived with his mother for a while. Is he this man’s son? They claim the connection.”

“Like we do?” Tommy whispered.

“Aye. Your mother says so, just like Teddy’s mother says so. That’s all the proof we or anyone needs.”

“Timmy says I should move upstairs since you’re my father. He said he would stay in the room behind the kitchen.”

“Whatever you decide.”

“I want to think about it,” Tommy murmured.

“Aye. You and I will talk with Timmy soon to see what he wants to do. He can continue being an apprentice here, working his way up, or finding a job elsewhere when the time comes. Do you know how old he is?”

“He thinks he’s thirteen, maybe twelve, like me. He has no family.”

“He does now, here with us. Timmy has plenty of time to consider his future.” Liam hesitated a moment. “I’d like to mention to everyone tomorrow at the meal that you’re my son. Is that all right with you?”

Tommy nodded and gave him a wide smile.

“Good. Go to bed, lad.”

Tommy nodded, then scampered toward the door. But he stopped, turned, and ran toward Liam, throwing his arms about his waist. Liam was so shocked by the embrace that he momentarily froze. Then he hugged him, patting him on the back.

“There, lad. It will all work out. We move forward together,” Liam said tenderly.

Tommy looked up at Liam, smiled again, and then ran toward the door.

Liam stood alone and glanced around the eating and gaming area. This was his place, and he had worked hard to bring it along as far as it had. At age twenty-one, he’d been offered a commis or junior chef job at one of The Savoy Hotel’s restaurants, but that had not appealed to him. Being his own boss meant much more. If Liam had accepted the Savoy job, he would have gained a reputation over time and moved up the hierarchy that existed in elite and expensive restaurant kitchens, like in ten years, making it to chef de partie or sous chef.