Like Clock Work

So I got this idea a few weeks ago and quickly scribbled it down whilst I should have been working. But for some reason I've not been sure weather to post it or not. So sorry if it's rubbish or boring. Hopefully I will come up with something better soon.

It's a cold morning just like the it has been for the past months. A sleepy restaurant manager pulls up in the space he has done for as long as he can remember and patiently waits. Waits for the chef, he doesn't know why he does this every morning but its become a thing they do now. Which ever one turns up first they wait for the arrival of their fellow colleague. Once he pulls up next to the manager a quick and slight smile is played out between the pair and they walk in a comfortable silence along the gravel path that leads to the workers entrance to the 4 star hotel. And again neither know why they do this every morning but the silent walk into work before the chaos begins is somehow comforting to them both.

They split and go separate ways as they approach the door with the well presented manager opting for the side entrance of the hotel that leads into the restaurant. He flicks the multiple light switches as he enters to make the dark hole look slightly more welcoming to the guests. As he makes his way to the bar he picks up the few stray glasses left from the night before and places them in a pile on the end of the counter. The first thing he does is turn on the coffee machine because he knows in about 10 minutes the grumpy, tired chef will be coming through the kitchen door in search for his first caffeine fix of the day. Next he turns his attention to the empty fridges that should have been restocked the night before, but yet again after countless times of telling his staff to do it before they leave they haven't. So the list begins. The endless list of tasks that will be the cause of his first angry outburst of the day. But before he can think any further there he is, the only man in the place that seems to keep him calm when everything is going wrong. Right on time for his caffeine fix and already looking fed up.

The exhausted and disheveled chef Anthony takes the secluded entrance tucked away at the back of the building that leads into the dark, cold changing room that he left just 8 short hours ago. He lets out a loud groan as he walks in and is welcomed by a large pile of boxes that should have been sorted the night before but yet again it's been left for him. The dark haired man kicks them aside and makes a mental note to get the wash up to sort it later because right now the level of exhaustion he is feeling is taking over and just walking is too much effort. With what little energy he has he gets changed into his whites and makes his way to the kitchen. Pressing every switch on his way to turn everything on and crank up the heat that in a few short hours will become unbearable. Tripping on the stray cloths that have been dropped in a hurry on the way out last night and curses to himself as he regains his balance. On his way through the kitchen he only has one thing on his mind, Declan. He will be on the other side of that door by now and ready for their morning caffeine fix.

They drink their drinks together with Declan clearing away all the plates and cutlery that was failed to be put away the night before and Ant a few steps away throwing away all the food that has somehow grown another life form within the sort 8 hours he's been out of the kitchen. And he too starts the endless list of jobs that is never ending and be the cause of yet another late night finish for him. Around 30 minutes later the pair have both woken up a little more and a quick breakfast made by Ant is placed in front of them in the form of a bacon sandwich. Before Declan can speak a bottle of brown and red appears on the stainless steel table by the chef and each man grabs the respective sauces they enjoy with their food. A quick thanks is spoken and the smaller man moves to sit on the large red bin in the corner of the kitchen while the chef opts to just lean on the table and flick through his phone. It's the last moments of silence either one is going to get for the next few hours and they enjoy it. The plates are quickly cleared and both go about their work getting ready for the rush and other members of staff start to arrive looking a little more cheery because they've had a decent night sleep and it annoys them both.

Before they know it the lunch rush had began and they go into the zone. They work as a team just the two of them. Nobody around them knows how they do it but they do. The restaurant outside could be packed and it could feel like the world is crumbling around them but the grumpy and tired chef remains calm and effortlessly keeps the managers anger at bay on top of it all. The rest of the team watch in amazement not quiet knowing how both can work at double speed and yet appear so calm and relaxed. But they do it and before they know it, its over and the last few customers are leaving.

However both men know the real reason. They click, they know what the others thinking before they've even thought it themselves. It's what makes the whole thing run like clock work. At the end of it all and once the rest of the team have left the two remain standing. Exhausted and wanting to go home but they know they have another round to go before they can even consider leaving. As Declan walks back into the kitchen he gives a slight nod to the chef and loosens his tie and top button before briskly walking through the kitchen and out to the back. Where a red faced, sweaty chef is waiting with a plate of left overs and a fag hanging from his lips. They eat in silence once again just taking a few minutes to regain some form of energy. Before they start to chat. The work side gets over and done with quickly with the list of fussy and annoying customer requests for the night is presented to Ant. The conversation then turns to what ever is on their minds be it football or the news.

Within the next 2 hours both men have somehow single handily got to prepare for the 350 guests that with descend upon them yet again. They may moan about it now but at the end of they day they wouldn't still be here if they didn't enjoy it. The next part of their day flies by in a flash and as the clock ticks to 11 o'clock the warn out manager announces to his night staff he his leaving. He makes his way back into the kitchen to let the small group of chef know they can clear away finally and gives Ant a quick smile as a thank you for the day. Now Declan's gone Ant doesn't see much point in waiting around and leaves his second in command in charge to do the final clear down and quickly exits the kitchen. Before he leaves he fills out the order forms for the next morning and places them on the desk. He makes the short walk back to the car this time alone but he doesn't mind as the cold air of the evening is refreshing after a long day in the kitchen and he can finally relax.

Getting into his car he turns on the radio and makes his way home. As he turns the corner just a few streets away and small smile grows on his lips and he parks the car up, getting out and locking it behind him. The dark haired man takes a few steps before opening the passengers door of the car behind his. "Shall we go home then" He smiles to his husband of 10 years. Before the restaurant manager turns the ignition and they drive home already dreading the next day but also looking forward spending another day working beside their best friend.

The End x