Masters And Lovers 1-4

Chapter 10

I’m about ready to explode.

Give me strength….

If they don’t stop bickering soon….

Ben picks up a menu card and pulls a face. “The menu’s a bit bland, isn't it? I thought you go for

something more adventurous.”

Michael, blank-faced, looks up from the table. He has dozens of small name-cards laid out, moving

them around as he works out a seating plan. “Like what?”

“Well, plain roast chicken? Why not say, chicken kiev? It’s a bit more interesting.”

“I set the menu,” I say. “It's not everyone who likes garlic. And if people do want something spicier they

can choose a sauce. Or anything from the standard menu for the restaurant. But I happen to know from

Michael that at least a couple of the older ones in your family have delicate digestions. So, I opted for

chicken, plain.”

He curls a lip. “I still think it’s a bit unadventurous.”

“It’s too late to change it now,” I snap. “All the supplies are in. I've chosen a menu that will be easy to

serve to a lot of people. It's the first time the kitchen has served any amount of food and I want it to go

smoothly. It’s almost the practice run for the Open Day next week.”

Ben at his most truculent is a trial I can do without. He squares up on me. “And you know something

about a hotel kitchen, do you? And how to run one?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. I....”

Michael interrupts. “If you two don't at least try to be polite to each other, I swear I'm going to bang your

heads together. You.…” He jabs a finger at me…. “Calm down. And you....” The finger swings on

Ben.... “I'd have thought my own brother would give me a bit of support for my own wedding day

instead of being deliberately obstructive.”

Then apparently embarrassed by his outburst, he stamps out.

Ah… Crap….

I offer a tentative hand to Ben. He takes it without a smile, tugging it down in a short stab of a shake,

then he also marches out.

Death, divorce, moving house and weddings….

The most stressful of all life changes…. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

In the corner, Richard has watched all this in silence. As Ben’s footsteps retreat out of earshot, “He’s a

contrary son of a bitch, isn’t he, that Ben. Nothing like his brother.”

I don’t want to say anything. Biting on my tongue, I simply shake my head.

Richard nods understanding. “I’ll go and see if I can calm things down a bit.”

*****