Buzzing in love (ON HOLD)

Chapter 1

◆ Donna ◆

As careful as I can manage I place the last chocolate biscotti on top on the perfectly round scoop of vanilla ice-cream, topped with a leaf of fresh mint. I hit the bel and Antonio—one of our many waiters, takes the dish away.

''That's the last one la madonna.''

I smile at the nickname and flip him off, Antonio was a friend of my father's and one of the first employees of Bellissima. With his white goatee, bald head, tanned skin covered in wrinkles and pale-blue eyes he looks just as ancient as the furniture. ''Get moving you old flirt.''

Antonio's laugh can be heard throughout the whole restaurant but luckily no customers seem to care. With practiced movement he manoeuvres through the many tables. I turn around and face my employees, all covered in sweat and worn out by the busy Saturday evening we've had. Wendy, our intern, looks the worst out of us all since she's not yet used to the catering industry.

Jason, our sous-chef throws his towel on the counter and wipes some sweat from his forehead.

''I need a drink.''

A hum of agreement echos through the kitchen and I smile.

''I think we all do but first, let's clean up this mess.'' I gesture towards the dirty kitchen and albeit begrudgingly everyone starts to clean, I grab a mob and walk towards one of the many sinks, filling a bucket with water and soap.

Through the small windows in the big double doors that separate the kitchen from the restaurant I can see that the lights are out, indicating that the last customers have left along with most of the waiters and waitresses. Lifting the heavy bucket from the sink I put it down on the floor and wet the old mob. Before I can even begin to clean, the double doors open and my mother steps into the kitchen.

''Donna, can I speak with you for a moment.''

My mother is a slender and proud woman, with a personality as big as her hair. Tonight she's dressed in her usual work attire, a flowing black dress that ends just below the knees, a plunging neckline that shows a bit of her cleavage and around her neck rests the pearl necklace my father gifted to her. Her thick black hair is softly curled and she looks every part of a restaurant manager as my father used to.

I put the mob down and wipe my wet hands dry at my trousers. Trusting Jason to take the lead if needed to, I exit the kitchen and follow my mother into the empty restaurant. Throughout the years nothing has changed, the walls are still a creme colour and the floor is made from deep mahogany. Old Italian styled pictures grace the walls, food and family playing the main role in the black and grey canvases.

The tables and chairs are made from the same wood as the floor and white, kashmir tablecloths are draped over every table, while soft, white cushions lie on the chairs. Classical music plays through the hidden speakers and the yellow glow of the candles decorating every table gives the restaurant a homely vibe.

Bellissima has been in my family for years, a restaurant my grandfather put his heart and soul into. It's the best Italian food in London and the most characteristic place. Unfortunately Bellissima can't compete with the new and hipster restaurants that seem to sprout out of the ground on every corner. I've told my mother some of my ideas to freshen up this place but she doesn't want the hear about it, wanting to hold onto as many memories of my father as she can.

My mother halts at the bar in the right corner and turns around to face me. Her lips are pursed and she looks far from satisfied.

"Wendy needs to go."