Roland shrugged. ‘I have a little trouble with the old ticker. It’s not something to worry about.’

‘Fedra is worried,’ Jack said.

‘She’s my daughter and a woman,’ Roland said, dismissing the whole thing. ‘Now, let’s talk about you.’

‘Let’s. Why don’t you start with why I’m here? I hope I haven’t wasted my time. It’s a bloody complicated trip from the island to get here.’

Roland folded his hands on the table in front of him. He looked at Jack. ‘I rarely admit my mistakes, Jack. I don’t see the point in regret. But I made a mistake when I didn’t offer you the partnership. You deserved it, and I failed you. I’m sorry, my boy.’ Roland looked serious, but Jack found himself wondering what the old bastard was up to.

‘When you decided not to keep your word, you mean?’ Jack had no intention of making it easy for him.

‘That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?’ Roland looked offended.

‘We had an agreement, you and I. I think you called it a gentleman’s agreement at one point. Which is also why we don’t have a proper contract, because you made me believe we didn’t need one, and I was stupid enough to trust you,’ Jack said, watching him closely. ‘Of course, now I’m happy we never had a contract.’

Roland’s face darkened for a second, before he put on the smile again. ‘Well, yes, in hindsight everything is easy, isn’t it?’

‘Why am I here, Roland?’ Jack was getting fed up with the whole thing.

‘I have an offer that will make you happy,’ Roland said.

He was interrupted by Fedra coming back with tea and some biscuits. She put the tray on the table and handed them their cups. ‘Have you told him yet?’ she asked her father.

Jack looked at her. She seemed annoyed and frayed, and didn’t return the look.

‘No, I was getting to it when you came, my darling. What is this?’ Roland looked at the teacup with disdain.

‘Herbal tea. No caffeine, remember? That also means no black tea. I shouldn’t have to explain this every time you want a cup of tea, Daddy.’

‘I’m hoping that one day you will show mercy and give me a proper espresso,’ he said with a wicked smile.

Fedra sat down next to her father. ‘Go on then, tell him.’

Jack kept still. Let them talk, he thought.

‘We want you to come back, to come home, Jack. I propose that you and Fedra share the restaurant,’ Roland said, looking as if he were giving him the world. ‘Of course Fedra would run the place, but you would be running the kitchen as you see fit.’

Jack looked at them. They seemed so pleased with themselves. Something fell into place in his head. ‘In other words, we keep it the way it was. Except that this time you’ll have me and my recipes.’

Roland frowned. ‘Yes, like before. We realise that we acted too harshly.’