Chapter Thirty-Six
By nine in the evening the dining room was three-quarters full, with over seventy diners all at different stages of their meals. Francesca remembered it being as busy before. For a Thursday, it was unheard of with only the three of them out front, two when Benjamin helped in the kitchen.
All afternoon Francesca sat at home moping, mulling over it in her mind. At one point she picked up her phone, Paul's number ready to dial, when she gave up. What good would involving him at this early stage do?
"Can I take your order?" She eyed a lady in her seventies.
With professionalism, Francesca went around the table asking each of the six diners what they would like for starters, and mains. She had to lean in closer on a couple of occasions, the din of voices and laughter in t
