Kyle glared at her, his lips a tight white line of frustration.
Put a stop to this now before it gets out of hand. “Who said Adam would let me have the milk shed anyway? It’s not going to work, Kyle. It’s all too soon.” Isn’t it?
“Why? Just tell me why, Mum.”
Do I have to? “Apart from what I just said, ready cash. Because I don’t have the money to start up again and there is no way I’m going to get a loan or go in with a partner. Been there, done that.” Kind of. She swallowed the bitterness that rose in her throat. “Worked out a treat, didn’t it?”
Kyle looked down at the table and she could see the way his hands clenched at his side. That was the wrong thing to say, good going Lena. Put your hand up for Mum of the month.
Try again, there’s a good girl. “Look, Kyle, we have to be sensible here. I have a little bit of money put aside for you for schooling and that’s about it. I just don’t have the money to start up a venture like that again. I wish I did, but I don’t. I’m sorry.” I did my best.
“I don’t need money for school.”
“It’s not negotiable. I’ll get a job eventually, stop worrying about it. Last night was fun but that’s all it can be.” His anger was building and Lena didn’t know if she had the energy to diffuse it.
“No. That won’t change anything. Don’t you get it, Mum? You’ll be so unhappy working in a shop or an office, you know you will. You love cooking, I love cooking. Just think, when I finish school I can work for you too.”
She gaped at him, almost lost for words. “What?”
“Don’t look so surprised. I’ve been with you in the kitchen since I was born. To me it makes perfect sense, don’t you think so, Nona?” He looked over at Sofia for back up.
She nodded her head and continued with her breakfast.
That wasn’t fair. Lena protested, “Mama!”
Sofia glared at her daughter. “Do not Mama me in that tone of voice. The child is right and you know it. Don’t use him as an excuse for you not doing what you want to do. I thought better of you than that, bella. He’ll make a wonderful chef just like his mother and you will be proud of him. I think you’re scared to make the same mistake all over again but, Lena, you need to have faith in yourself.”
“Mama’s right, honey. It’s no good hiding behind Kyle. You have to do what you want to do or you’ll never be happy. I know as a parent you always want what’s best for you children, but sometimes you have to realize that what’s best for them is what’s best for you.” Her father smiled at her and patted her hand. “You know that old saying ‘happy wife, happy life?”
Did she ever. Lena smiled at him and sighed. “Yes.”
“Well, I think there should be one that says ‘happy parent, happy child,’ because if you’re not happy, it will show through your child.”
Right again. “Papa, you’re so wise. No wonder Kyle is like he is—he takes after you.” She looked around the table at her family, her mind warring with her heart. “But, I hate to throw a damper on this...I don’t have the money to begin again and I refuse to borrow any. So that’s the end of it.” I could wish for different but I’m being practical.
“I disagree. You started your first restaurant on the cheap. Why can’t you do the same thing again?” Her father put his paper down and gave his full attention.
“It was different then. We were in a cheap and nasty area of town. There’s no such place here. This is a tourist town so anything is far too expensive for me.”
“You should ask Adam about the milk shed. I bet he’d let you have it.” Kyle looked around the adults, his eyes begging one of them to back him up. “Papa, you go ask him.”
Stop ganging up on me. “No!” Lena held up her hands, trying not to feel as though she was being backed into a corner. “No, Kyle. If anyone’s going to ask him, it’ll be me.”
“But you will ask him, right?”
Lena rolled her shoulders as she looked at her family. Yes, she thoroughly enjoyed last night, and she was happy to admit it. And the shed would be perfect if it was possible to get it through council and she could afford it. There were a lot of ifs hanging in the air right now.
It would happen sooner or later. It was inevitable. “Leave it with me, okay?”
“But Mum…”
She held up her hand. “I said leave it with me. That’s final.” I need to gather my wits first.
Kyle sunk down into the chair. “Fine then.”
Lena ignored his sulking as she made their breakfast. Silent looks passed between her parents and she knew when Kyle wasn’t around, they would start up again. Her mother was nothing if not persistent. Just as well her father was there to keep the situation under control because once Mama’s mind was made up, there was no stopping her. At least Papa could be logical as well as practical. Her parents balanced each other out well, and for that she was eternally thankful. The Australian common sense against the Italian temper and drive.
“Here, eat your toast and then I’m off to help clean up. You can come if you want, but after the grand effort you gave last night, I’m prepared to give you the day off.” She ruffled his hair noticing the smile twitching at the corner of his lips. “You did good kid, real
