‘Yes, Chef,’ they all chorused, making Ella smile. The atmosphere was charged, and everyone seemed excited to get out into the restaurant and begin their shift.

‘This restaurant’s reputation not only depends on the food but on you too. We are family.’ Gianni smiled, disappearing through a door at the far end of the kitchen.

‘Come on, let’s go and get your uniform,’ Callie said, as she grabbed Ella’s arm.

Ella followed Callie through the bar area into an office at the back of the restaurant, which boasted the inviting aroma of coffee. There were open French doors at the back of the room overlooking the sandy bay. The trees swayed in the wind and the gentle burbling of the river behind made the setting even more idyllic. The desk was large and impressive, oozing importance and Ella spun round the leather-bound chair and sat down. The wall was covered in figures and charts, meal plans and distributers. She noticed numerous framed photos lined up in front of her and picked up an old photo of a man and woman standing outside the entrance of The Lakehouse. The gentleman was wearing a double-breasted suit, in light grey with faint contrasting stripes. It spoke of individuality, with its three buttons, peaked lapel and cuff-bottom trousers. The woman was strikingly smart, in a gaily coloured futurist print that complemented the blouse of the attractive two-piece dress.

‘Whoever they are, they look very important, like royalty,’ exclaimed Ella, placing the photo carefully back on the desk.

Callie took a look over her shoulder. ‘I reckon that’s got to be Flynn’s grandparents. This restaurant has been in the family for decades. Back in the day, it attracted the rich and famous, and Julia even suggested royalty used to eat here.’

Ella let out a low whistle. ‘I bet this place has a few stories to tell.’

‘Apparently Flynn used to spend his summers here with his brother as a small boy, but his grandfather closed the restaurant after his grandma passed away – he couldn’t carry on without her. This place stood empty until Flynn stepped in to re-open it years later.’

‘So, he’s originally from around these parts?’ queried Ella, looking at the rest of the photographs.

‘That I am.’ Startled by the voice, Ella immediately recognised Flynn Carter from the times she had googled him, and jumped out of his chair, quickly pushing it under the desk.

Flynn Carter was standing in the doorway of his office, looking at Ella in amusement, who felt mortified that she’d been caught sitting in the boss’s chair.

‘Sorry, sorry,’ she said, ‘I was just…’

‘Don’t worry about it. I thought maybe there was a new CEO running my business empire. You are…?’

‘Ella, I’m a friend of Callie’s, starting work here on Monday.’

‘Ah, the girl from Cheshire who’s been having a difficult time. Pleased to meet you.’ Flynn stretched out his hand.