Free Berry Flavours by Darry Fraser

bench.
    “Bon appétit.”
    Rommy made a noise in the doorway and Berry dug in his pocket for a biscuit and slid it across the floor to him.
    They all dug in. “Heard from home?”
    Clancy looked up, startled.
    “I reckon you came from somewhere only a few days ago. Haven’t heard you mention a thing, but there must be a story.” The intense green-eyed stare was back.
    She forked a little rice through the meat and spices. “Not a good one. I’d been running my family’s restaurant in Magill, Jones and Jones Restaurant . Dad decided the new wife could do it better.” She ate a mouthful, nodded her appreciation. Then, “As I didn’t agree, I marched. Though Dad would say I got my marching orders.”
    “So, I might not have got a reference after all.”
    Clancy sipped the wine. “I must sound as if I’m trouble wherever I go.”
    “I don’t take any notice of Greg Thomas. Or Marlie, poor woman. Her perspective is distorted. And I don’t have to know what happened at your place, unless you want to say.”
    “Thanks.” Clancy gave a quick smile. “And no, haven’t heard from home. I might next week when Dad wants to forget what happened. I don’t think the new bride is quite up to a full-on restaurant just yet.”
    “Dads, huh? Mine was a doozy, but he did it tough all his life. Never knew anything but hard work and hard living. All this was his place before I got it, back in the days when the succession laws were simple.” Berry ate steadily, rested his fork to take a swallow of wine. “This is a good Beef Thingy. She never does it the same way twice.”
    “You’re going to miss her when she goes.”
    “I will. She’ll be back, but out of the scene a while.”
    When Clancy saw him look at her from under his brows it wasn’t only the chilli creating some heat. “She’s very good at her job.” Clancy knew he couldn’t see her face redden.
    “I reckon you are, too.” He sat back a minute. “I happen to like my lamb fillet medium rare. Best way to have it.”
    Her gaze met his, the green eyes lively. Her heart did a little skip and a jump. She concentrated on the Beef Thingy and a moment or two passed in silence. Then, “It’s hard to beat a slow roasted shoulder with rosemary and wild garlic, and a herby parmesan crust.”
    A beat. “That is very true.” He leaned on his elbows. “So what has our Heidi got you doing tomorrow?”
    “I’ll work with her all day. She wanted me to prepare a few bits.” She waved her hand back at the coolroom. “And so we’ll get something together for tomorrow night’s service.”
    “Will that dessert be ready?”
    She nodded, finishing up her meal. Her glass was nearly empty but she pushed it away. Too dangerous to be sitting here with the boss drinking the smoothest, palate-pleasing sensuous red she’d had in years. All she needed was a dark chocolate torte, a dollop of thick Australis Island cream, and heaven would be at her feet.
    Or more trouble.
    “Think you should save me some. Am a bit partial to desserts.” Berry ate his last mouthful, swiped the serviette over his mouth and took another swallow of the big red. “You know what? I might walk you back to your place and head off home with Rommy. Will be a big day tomorrow.”
    Clancy reached across and took his plate. “Right. I’ll just get all this cleared away...”
    They both tidied up. Berry ran through the lock-up procedure, the lights, and the key lock combination. Rommy watched beside him.
    Outside, she couldn’t see a thing. “Lucky there’s a moon rising.” Clancy looked into the night sky. “It’s pitch black out here.” She stood by the back door as he shut the place.
    “Come on, I know my way around backwards.”
    He took her hand as naturally as if he’d been doing it for years.
    Of course she knew it was because she’d break her nose on something if he didn’t. It was a hand-hold, and it was guiding her, not grasping her, nor tugging, nor being cute or overly