‘Get your pads and pens out ready in case you need to take notes,’ ordered Gianni. ‘Today’s specialities are laid out in front of you.’

Gianni was talking so fast that Ella had to concentrate to understand his accent. Her pen was poised on her pad as Gianni began reeling off the day’s dishes, which Ella had to admit looked amazing. He handed each of them a fork. ‘Taste,’ he ordered as everyone delved in before he fired questions at them. Thankfully everyone had written down the key ingredients and once Gianni was satisfied they knew their stuff, he ushered them over to the whiteboard in the corner of the kitchen. ‘The area of the restaurant you are covering is up on the board, take a look and get out there… Oh, but this is important.’

All the waiters stopped and looked at Gianni. ‘Tiffany Down is in the restaurant. She is a restaurant and food critic so please have your wits about you. The food is down to me, but the customer service is down to you.’ Gianni pointed at a waitress whose name was Amy, according to her name badge. ‘Tiffany is in your section of the restaurant, you have been here the longest, so make sure she leaves here a happy critic.’

Amy looked petrified but nodded.

‘Now get out there,’ Gianni clapped his hands then ushered them out of the kitchen.

‘Yes, Chef!’ they all replied, filtering into the restaurant. Ella noticed a slight smile on Gianni’s face as she spun round on one foot and followed the rest of them.

Pushing open the door into the restaurant, Ella smoothed down her skirt and took a deep breath. She spotted the TV crew bunched together in front of the bar, the camera scanning the restaurant.

In Ella’s section of the restaurant were Isla and Felicity, which she was relieved about as that took some pressure off her if she wasn’t sure what to do. As she walked towards their table, Ella noticed that Amy, despite painting a smile on her face, actually looked petrified of Tiffany Down, and she saw Tiffany glowering at Amy.

‘Good afternoon, I’m Amy and I will be your waitress today.’

Ella followed suit and, armed with menus, she handed them out to everyone who was sat at the table with Isla and Felicity. Drew was sat opposite Isla and then there were two others sitting at the table that Ella didn’t know.

‘Good afternoon, I’m Ella and I will be your waitress today.’

‘Oh she’s good,’ joked Felicity, ‘and sounds the part.’

‘We’re so glad you’re our waitress!’ said Isla. ‘Let me introduce you to Martha and Aggie. Martha is my grandmother and Aggie is Fergus’s mum. They came across on the boat before us.’