Island girl

A pleasent evening

Paul did manage to catch another fish. But then he decided he had enough triumph for one day, as he realised he had to get Alison back, so she could make her Grandmother's tea.

When she returned, Alison enthusiastically informed her Grandmother all about the fishing trip

Her Grandmother listened without saying much, but noticed that lately with Alison everything seem to be Paul this, and Paul that, and she felt the unease returning again

"Are you not having anything?" Mary enquired with a small frown when Alison put down a bowl of chicken broth on the small dining room table and cheerfully told her Grandmother to get stuck in, as she was going up to get change her clothes

"No," Alison replied, "Well I don't want to ruin my appetite, Paul has invited me over later, he is going to prepare and cook the fish in what he describes the Moratti speciality, and he wants me to sample it, to see what I think," she then informed her with a grin

"I see," her Grandmother replied neutrally, whilst feeling a little uneasy again, hoping that Paul Moratti was not out to impress Alison too much, and planning on sampling other things as well.

"You don't mind do you?" Alison asked worriedly, catching on that her Grandmother didn't seem quite happy about it, "I thought it would be alright, as you would be having a visit from your friends this evening, and I would be out of the way so you could have a bit of gossip and chat in peace. But if you need me here, I'll let Paul know." she then said.

Mary knew that she only had to say the word, and Alison would stay without any complaint or resentment; which made her feel slightly guilty for spoiling her Grand daughter's fun.

So she now forced herself to smile, "Of course I will be fine, I will be sitting here nattering with Brenda and Liam, for half the night; and you don't want to be listen to us old fogies talking about the good old days. So you go ahead, after all its not often you get to getting the treat of tasting some big celebrity chef's cooking for free, so you might as well make the most of it" she then told her

"Thanks Gran," Alison replied happily, "And I promise that if there is any left over, I will bring you some back to taste as well"

"Just make sure you do," her Grandmother replied, still trying her best to set aside her reservations about her granddaughter's new found friendship

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"Ah, you timed it nicely," Paul greeted her with a smile as he opened the door to let her in,

"I have just finished gutting and preparing the fish," he then informed her

"Ohh, so that means I get to see the master at work," Alison exclaimed teasingly

"Not only that, you get to be my assistant," Paul replied as if he was bestowing a great honour on her, but there was a twinkle of mischief in his blue eyes

"Oh even better," Alison grinned, deciding to play along and following him into the small kitchen where Paul had all his planned ingredients and utensils set out.

"This place is pretty basic, and not up to the usual standards I am used to in my own kitchen, but I think I can manage," he then informed her confidently

"I am glad to hear it," Alison murmured in dry amusement, wondering if Paul realised he sounded a little pompous

But it seemed he was now in full professional mode, taking full charge of the kitchen and everything that was going on.

And Alison found herself meekly submitting to his authority as he went about giving her instructions and orders; but not in a bossy way she had imagined he would.