The Winter Sea

by Morrissey, Di

  Bill rushed straight to the bi-fold doors, anxious to get out onto the deck. To his joy the water was high enough for him to watch the little fish swimming below.

  ‘This is a great deck, and it has an awning. I’d live out here. Perhaps not in winter, but when the weather starts to get warmer, it will be lovely. What an outlook! Where’s your bedroom?’ said Jenny.

  ‘It’s upstairs, Mum. In the loft.’

  Cassie sat on the deck while her mother explored. How lovely to know that she could do this any time of the day, and she wasn’t even going to feel guilty about it.

  ‘This is the life, eh, Bill?’ she remarked to the dog. Bill, his head hanging over the edge of the deck, eyes fixed on the darting fish, took no notice. Cassie closed her eyes in the winter sunshine.

  ‘Well, Cassandra, I’m knocked out by your boatshed.’ Her mother sat down in a faded canvas deckchair.

  ‘In a good way?’ Cassie asked.

  Her mother flung out her arms. ‘Cass, look at this place! The view, the location, the set-up! This whole area is really lovely. It makes me wonder why your father never brought us here.’

  ‘Yes, I know. But this is pretty good, huh? Even have my own resident herons sitting on those pylons. It seems that the name Blue Crane Lake is a bit of a misnomer according to Michael, Bill’s vet. The birds aren’t cranes at all, but herons.’

  ‘Is that right? But, Cassie, this place is a gift. I know what I’d be doing here if it were mine.’

  Cassie stared at her mother. ‘What did you have in mind? Remember, I’ll be living here, not you, though you’re welcome any time.’

  Her mother shook her head. ‘When you said it had been a coffee shop tacked onto a cute water’s edge home, I didn’t visualise this.’

  ‘What are you suggesting? That I renovate it? I’m only leasing, although of course I have a few ideas to jazz the place up a bit.’

  ‘Cassie, with very little effort and by being a bit more creative than the previous occupants, this place could be a goldmine! It’s the perfect location for a restaurant, or perhaps a café or bistro.’

  ‘Mum! It’s going to be my home! I just want to live here and relax and enjoy it!’

  ‘Yes, darling, but you wouldn’t have to run a big place, or even have long hours. This could be made into a great little local place that tourists would love to visit. And you can live here as well. How perfect.’

  ‘I hear you, Mum, it’s what you would do, but I’ve never run a business before. You’ve had years in the restaurant trade, and you and Dad were hugely successful at what you did, but I’m no chef like Dad was,’ protested Cassie.

  ‘Neither was I, but you’re like me. You know how to run a restaurant. I used to watch you, and I know that you have an instinct for it. I was always grateful for the times you helped out. You have absorbed more about the restaurant business than anyone who’s graduated from some fancy hospitality school. Hire a chef to do the cooking. You can run the rest. In summer this area must be super popular. I wasn’t thinking about your having a place like the Seven Seas that could seat over a hundred. No, a place like this should be casual, intimate and exclusive. And think of the seafood on your doorstep, so to speak!’

  ‘Not just the seafood, Mum, you can’t believe the local produce in this area. It’s absolutely amazing. So fresh and such great quality,’ blurted out Cassie, infected with her mother’s enthusiasm. ‘The dairy foods, you wait till you try the cheeses I bought today, the organic vegetables, and there is quite an Italian influence . . .’ She stopped. ‘Well, I just stumbled across some things . . .’

  ‘See, subconsciously you’ve been doing the research! You just don’t see the bleeding obvious under your nose! What else are you going to do with yourself down here? A break is all very well, but you can’t do nothing forever. You’d go nuts in no time.’ Jenny looked out across the lake. ‘What a view. You could put a few tables out here and customers could choose to eat inside or outside. Perfect.’

  ‘You really think it would work? How much would I need to outlay? Theoretically, I mean, just supposing I went along with your mad idea,’ said Cassie.

  ‘The bones are here. The tables and chairs seem fine, but the kitchen and loo definitely need upgrading. Maybe put in a cool room, if you can afford it,’ replied Jenny.

  ‘Mum, you know what would be good out here, rather than having a few small tables, I could put in one or two long communal ones. It gives people a chance to meet each other, especially if they are on holidays,’ said Cassie thoughtfully, glancing around the deck.

  ‘Great idea! See, you’re thinking already about your own style. Of course the big thing is the food. Obviously seafood . . . What else?’

  ‘I haven’t had time to think of that yet! Let me get used to the idea first.’

  ‘Sounds to me as though you’ve had some ideas already, without even knowing it. But first you have to find a chef. Maybe you could ask some of your friends for ideas.’

  ‘I will. Anyway, if I do go along with your crazy idea, I know what I’d call a restaurant here. The Blue Boatshed!’

  ‘Love it! Let’s crunch some numbers.’

  ‘I don’t know, Mum. I worked out I could pay the rent without any trouble, but starting a business, that’s a different kettle of fish – so to speak!’

  Her mother laughed. ‘Give it a whirl, Cassie. The place just needs zhushing up, and clever planning, cooking, and selling the concept, and half of what you need is here already. And my offer of financial help still stands. Remember, the basic rules are keep it simple, keep it genuine. You watch, start in a modest way, stick to those rules and the bigshots will soon copy you, like they did with your dad. He started a fish and chip shop and did so well with it that it grew to be the Seven Seas, which was copied by many, but they never did as well as your father because they ignored those two rules.’

  Cassie smiled. ‘I can’t see me being copied and I don’t know that this is my life’s calling, but after my hellish life as a lawyer, a restaurant sounds like a welcome change. It just might work.’

  ‘Of course it will. Cass, you know enough to know that it’s hard work, dealing with staff, suppliers, health regulations, picky customers and all the nitty gritty that comes with a restaurant, but it’s nothing you can’t handle,’ said her mother encouragingly.

  ‘If I do start a restaurant, it won’t be big like yours was. There’s a big restaurant complex up the coast at a place called Coolangatta, and I have no intention of going in that direction,’ said Cassie. ‘I see this more as opening my home to friends who are dropping by.’

  ‘Sweetie, actually, you will be opening your home,’ responded her mother with a smile.

  *

  Cassie had asked Michael, Geoff and Trixie to come over that evening to meet her mother. She put out the cheeses and olives she had bought that day along with some water, biscuits and Italian bread sticks. She suspected that Trixie would turn up with something delicious to share and she was right. When Geoff and Trixie arrived, Trixie proffered a plate to Jenny.

  ‘Hello, I’m Trixie. This is my hubby, Geoff. I’ve brought a little something to eat.’

  ‘I’m Cassie’s mum, Jenny Sullivan.’ Jenny drew back the cloth from the plate and exclaimed at the still-warm savoury tart. ‘This smells wonderful. Tomato tarte tatin?’

  ‘Lovely roasted vine-ripened tomatoes and caramelised onion. Easy to nibble,’ said Trixie.

  ‘Trixie, another masterpiece, thank you. I’ll see if I can find some little plates and forks. What would you like to drink?’

  ‘Thanks, Cassie, I’ll have a beer if you’ve got any,’ said Geoff. ‘Trix?’

  ‘I’ll have white wine, thanks, Cassie,’ said Trixie. ‘Your daughter’s lovely. We so enjoy her company,’ she continued to Jenny.

  ‘And a good fisherman,’ added Geoff.

  ‘Yes, she and her dad used to fish and surf together. They had a special bond, perhaps because Cassie was an only child,’ said Jenny.
/>   ‘Cassie told me that your husband has passed away. That’s very sad for you. He must have been quite young,’ said Trixie.

  ‘Pat died several years ago now. He was a lot older than me, actually. Eighteen years, in fact.’

  ‘You must have been a child bride,’ said Trixie.

  ‘Not quite,’ said Jenny. ‘He had opened a restaurant and I went to work for him as a waitress, to help pay my way through uni, and I fell in love with him. Pat was such a lovely, kind man. There never seemed to be an age gap at all. I never regretted marrying him.’ She smiled and changed the subject. ‘I can’t wait to try that tarte. Cassie said you were a good cook. You’ll have to recruit Trixie, Cass,’ Jenny told her daughter as Cassie handed out the small plates and forks.

  ‘Shhh, Mum. Give me a chance to tell Geoff and Trixie my news,’ said Cassie, but she got no further as Michael arrived and Bill romped through the group to greet him.

  Michael shook Jenny’s hand.

  ‘I’m Michael. It’s good to meet you, Jenny. I hope you enjoyed your mountain-climbing adventure.’

  ‘So you’re the vet that Cassie’s been telling me about,’ said Jenny with a meaningful smile at Cassie.

  ‘What would you like to drink?’ Cassie asked Michael, ignoring her mother as she handed him a plate with a slice of the tarte.

  ‘One of your delights, Trixie? A beer would be good, if you have one, thanks, Cassie.’

  ‘Of course,’ said Cassie. ‘Okay, everyone, now that you’re all here, and have met my mum, I have an announcement. I took Mum to Blue Crane Lake and showed her the boatshed I’ve decided to rent. She loves it.’

  ‘Great, Cassie,’ said Geoff. ‘I think I know the place. I knew you’d end up one of us.’

  ‘Wait, there’s more,’ said Cassie laughing. ‘My mother has suggested that, as the boatshed was once a café, I should continue the tradition – but do it a little differently.’

  ‘It’s been closed for some time,’ said Geoff. ‘You’re going to re-open it? And live there, too?’

  ‘It’s a very pretty setting,’ said Trixie. ‘I don’t think they made the most of that café.’

  ‘It’ll need a bit of TLC, won’t it? I’ll help you with anything you want done,’ offered Geoff.

  Michael had been watching Cassie. ‘This is a surprise, going into the hospitality business.’

  ‘I’m not exactly a stranger to it, but I’m open to ideas and suggestions.’

  ‘You must meet my cousin Frank Aquino,’ said Michael. ‘I told you about him and, if you are going to have seafood on your menu, he’s your man.’

  ‘Seafood? Are you going to serve meals and not just coffee and cakes?’ asked Geoff.

  ‘We thought that Cassie could create a small but interesting menu to serve to a hopefully discerning clientele,’ said Jenny.

  ‘How fabulous. That would really suit Blue Crane Lake,’ said Trixie. ‘I’d love to help.’

  ‘Trixie, I think that Mum is right. I should hire you to make the desserts and a few specials like this,’ said Cassie as she bit into the light flaky pastry.

  ‘Easy, I can do that at home. But I’d love to help out in the kitchen and if you need me for the boring stuff like cleaning, I’m your girl,’ offered Trixie.

  ‘The first thing Cassie needs to do is to talk to the real estate agent to find out if it’s okay with the owners to re-open the café and for her to make changes. Then she’ll need to check with the council regulations to see if it’s okay to remodel or renovate, and then get Geoff onto it,’ said Jenny. ‘I’d love to be part of this but I’m really sorry, I have to go back tomorrow.’

  ‘Mum, that’s okay, you’ll be back. You won’t be able to keep away!’ said Cassie.

  ‘Darling, remember I’m driving to Broome in a convoy with a group of friends in a few days. I’ll be away for several weeks. It’s a long drive. But I’ll keep in touch, and give you the benefit of my experience. But enough of food and restaurants. Michael, Cassie tells me your family have lived here quite a while.’

  ‘Four generations. Actually the family and most of the town will be celebrating my great-uncle Ricardo’s ninetieth birthday shortly. Cassie, would you like to come? It will be a lot of fun. Geoff and Trixie are coming, aren’t you?’

  ‘Yes. We’re coming,’ said Geoff. ‘One of the first jobs I had when I came here was for the old man. He has a bunch of stories to tell, that’s for sure.’

  ‘Yes, he does, when he’s in the mood and he likes you,’ said Michael.

  After Trixie and Geoff left, Cassie decided to take Bill for a quick walk.

  ‘Anyone fancy a walk with Bill and me? Do you want to come, Mum?’

  ‘Bit too cold outside for me, Cass. I’ll stay nice and warm close to your pot-bellied stove, thank you. I can start cleaning up while you’re out.’

  ‘I’ll come and keep you and Bill company,’ said Michael.

  ‘What do you think of the restaurant idea?’ asked Cassie as they headed towards the lagoon.

  ‘It makes sense, if that’s what you really want to do?’ said Michael carefully.

  ‘It was Mum’s idea, but it really feels right to me.’

  ‘Then go for it. If it works you’ll be able to pay your way and have a lovely lifestyle, even if you don’t make a fortune. Are you going to be the chef too?’ Michael asked.

  ‘No. I know the sorts of dishes I’d like to have on the menu but I’m not a cook. You know who I’d like to talk to? That chef Steve at the Cliff Top pub where we went for lunch.’

  ‘You’re right. He’d be a great drawcard. So you’re going to try and poach him?’

  ‘Entice. I’m hoping he might be ready for a place that’s a bit smarter than that awful tired old pub.’

  ‘It would be great if you could get him. You might have to give him a bit of free rein though. Chefs are notoriously temperamental, aren’t they?’ said Michael.

  ‘They can be, although my father was never like that. He was always quite calm in the kitchen, even when things were frantic. Yes, I’ll chew that over before making an approach. But I’ll get started on the renovations straight away.’

  ‘I’ll tell my cousin Frank that you want him to supply seafood to the restaurant. You’ll like him, everyone does.’

  ‘Thanks. Come on, Bill, time to head back. I can hardly see where I’m walking, it’s so dark out here,’ said Cassie. ‘Michael, I’m glad you don’t think the idea of a restaurant is totally insane. I know I can make it work.’

  ‘I think it’s a wonderful idea,’ said Michael, taking her hand as they walked back towards the cabin, ‘especially as it will keep you here in Whitby Point.’

  *

  When Cassie contacted Frank, he sounded very positive about her plans. It was just what the area needed, he told her enthusiastically as they talked on the phone. Her timing, he said, was terrific, and the boatshed was a clever concept. She should definitely specialise in seafood.

  ‘My seafood, of course! Are you going to cook cutting-edge cuisine, traditional, Italiano, or safe?’ he asked. ‘I know someone who has started an eel farm. His smoked eel is sensational.’

  ‘I don’t want to scare customers away too quickly. Does middle-of-the-road sound a bit boring?’ said Cassie.

  ‘We’ll see. When can you meet me at the fish co-op? I’ll give you a seafood lunch to sample that will give you a bit of inspiration. How’s that sound?’

  ‘It sounds great. When will it suit?’

  ‘How about Monday, at noon? See you then. Michael said you were a cute little redhead, so I’ll look forward to meeting you.’

  *

  Cassie thought hard about the best way to approach Steve Baxter to offer him the job as the chef in her not-yet-opened restaurant. She didn’t want to ask him while he was working so she decided to ask Michael for his ideas over a glass of wine on her porch one evening.

  ‘Yes, that’s going to be difficult. You can hardly front up to the Cliff Top,’ agreed Michael. ‘But
I know where he is every Saturday.’

  ‘That’s tomorrow. Where?’

  ‘Steve doesn’t work the day shift on Saturdays, so he comes down for a surf at Littlemans Beach. When I close up the practice at midday and go down to the beach, he’s usually there – especially if the waves are good. Come down to the beach and I’ll introduce you. He’s got a classic Simon Anderson board, an Energy single fin.’

  ‘I doubt I’ll recognise it. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been surfing.’

  Michael laughed. ‘Do you surf? I could meet you there and we could catch a couple of waves. It’s probably the only way to get hold of Steve. He’ll stay out there for hours.’

  ‘I haven’t been surfing for years.’ Cassie was suddenly flooded with memories of lazy Sundays at Manly. ‘Dad used to take me out.’

  ‘Did he teach you?’ Michael asked. ‘You must have had some father. I can’t imagine my father ever being on a surfboard.’

  ‘Yes, he was special. We used to sit out the back and talk about all sorts of things, abstract things that had nothing to do with our everyday lives. I thought he was very wise. Maybe because he was so much older than my friends’ fathers.’

  ‘Did your father come from Manly?’ said Michael.

  ‘I don’t really know. When he talked about his life it was usually about the restaurant and how great Mum and I were. He didn’t talk about the past, only the present and the future. He always told me to keep an eye towards the future and not look over my shoulder or have regrets. That was a handy piece of advice.’

  ‘He sounds like a great dad. I learned to surf here on the coast with my friends. I thought that I could spend my whole life just surfing, but then I had a reality check and decided that I would rather work with animals.’

  ‘When I was a teenager, I was never fanatical about surfing like some of my friends were, but I was chuffed that I managed to master my board and could tackle a decent surf with confidence and not make a goose of myself.’

  ‘Did your husband surf?’ asked Michael.

  Cassie laughed. ‘I did try to get him out, but he said that he wouldn’t be seen dead carrying a surfboard. Not sophisticated enough for Hal, I guess. He preferred the lap pool at the gym.’