‘It’s not too late to change your mind,’ Solway said to him fifteen minutes later. ‘You can tell her she’s just not the right fit, or something.’

‘I feel like I’d be going off a thought process that may not even be true,’ Hans replied.

‘I think you should give her a chance,’ said Fennel. ‘I’ve worked with her, remember. She’s pleasant, she does everything she’s asked, and she has scrubbed that kitchen from top to bottom. There’s really nothing to complain about, except her attitude.’

‘Yes exactly. The attitude. We haven’t had a chance to check this out either.’ Hans waved the resume in the air. ‘It’s Sunday, it’s her third day, and we can’t get hold of any of this information until during the week.’

‘Fair enough,’ said Fennel. ‘I don’t know what’s going on though aside from a personality clash, and really mate, it’s not hard to have a personality clash with you.’

‘What?’

Bart, the arsehole, had started laughing. Hans glared at him, and he took a quick slug of his beer. Solway wasn’t laughing though, thank God. At least someone was on his side.

‘You people do not understand what we’ve been through,’ she said.

‘Exactly,’ said Hans.

‘You’ll have to excuse me for being blunt,’ said Fennel. ‘But you’re not fucking royalty.’

‘Give me another fucking Cognac,’ said Hans. ‘And that was very blunt, you prick.’

‘Do you always let your staff talk to you like that,’ asked Solway.

‘We passed that point a few weeks ago when we started on this bottle,’ Hans replied honestly. ‘Fennel could almost be my work wife.’

Fennel started laughing, as did Bart. Solway looked stricken.

‘You’re not gay are you,’ she whispered.

‘Don’t be an idiot Sol. I know you’d still love me if I was, but you really need to pull your knickers out of your arse.’

‘You wanker.’

‘See. You love me anyway.’ Hans sat back and skolled his drink. ‘This is still shit Fennel.’

The chef nodded.

‘I don’t have a choice in the loving you department, arsehole,’ Solway interrupted them, snatching the glass from Hans. ‘You’re my brother. Fill this up for me Fennel?’

‘With pleasure,’ the chef replied, pouring for her.

‘Well, now I’m bored.’ Hans stared at the ceiling and tried not to howl. Christ, that had come back quickly. He cleared his throat. ‘I need to… I’ll be back in a sec.’

‘I’ll come with you,’ said Bart. Hans looked at him. He didn’t look comfortable either.

‘Don’t girls do that,’ Fennel called after them as they left the table.

Hans glanced at him over his shoulder. ‘If they did mate, you’d be coming with me instead.’

He and Bart marched rapidly across the dining room heading for the toilets.

‘She’s here,’ muttered Bart.

Hans knew exactly what he meant. ‘I know.’

to be continued…