Chapter Sixty-Seven
Elio surveyed the tables, going around the dining room checking the layouts were all present and correct, with enough cutlery, place mats and salt and pepper shakers for service. They had seventeen bookings guaranteed, which was down heavily on the same time last year, when several tables had to be re-set. He sighed.
His staff, including Martin stood by the bar waiting for his confirmation that they could open up. They were all professionals, each knowing their jobs. He only made them wait for him to teach them respect. “Go ahead, open up.”
There were no early diners at six o’clock. Elio stepped outside, stood on the pavement outside his restaurant. He glanced left and right. Not one person ventured towards him.
Over the road, Elio spotted a group of six heading for
