A Scandalous Midnight In Madrid

‘If there’s anything I can do—’

‘With my brother heading to Sierra Nevada—and I know he will once he leaves hospital—he’ll need someone to care for him—to make sure he eats his food—that sort of thing—someone he’ll listen to when they tell him not to overdo the exercise...’

Annalisa was being a little optimistic, Sadie thought, and there was something suspiciously like a question in her eyes. ‘Oh, no, I can’t,’ Sadie said quickly.

‘Even slight damage to the lungs can be quite serious,’ Annalisa added, adopting a mournful look. ‘I really think he needs someone to supervise his recovery.’

‘I can imagine how that would go down,’ Sadie commented dryly.

‘But if anyone could do it, you could,’ Annalisa insisted, brightening as she continued to work on convincing Sadie.

‘You’re asking me to go there uninvited?’

‘I’d explain to my brother first,’ Annalisa assured her with eyes that were wide and appealing.

‘So, let me get this straight. You’re asking me to go to the Sierra Nevada mountains to look after your brother who doesn’t know I’m coming?’

‘Until I tell him,’ Annalisa exclaimed.

‘And you would tell him?’

‘Of course—and you’ll love it there,’ she added enthusiastically. ‘It might not be Madrid, but the mountains are very beautiful, and I’ve never seen my brother’s face light up as it does when he looks at you.’

‘What?’

‘Obviously, your food is delicious,’ Annalisa said, backtracking fast. ‘But I know he likes you too. And with food being the way to a man’s heart...’

The persuasive tactics continued, as Annalisa remained stubbornly oblivious to Sadie’s growing doubts as to the wisdom of her plan.

Convinced she was being set up, Sadie finally interrupted. ‘Surely a man like Alejandro can employ any chef in the world?’

‘He loves your food best,’ Annalisa countered quickly. ‘And I’m sure he’d recover faster if you’re on hand.’

On hand? Sadie queried silently. To do what? More than cooking? Annalisa might be a novice matchmaker, but she had made a great case, and Sadie was actually severely tempted to go to the mountains to discover if Alejandro really was a different man when he was there. Sensibly, she resisted the temptation and made her refusal as gentle as she could. ‘I don’t think I’m the right person for the job, but I might be able to find a private chef who I’m sure would be only too pleased to cook for your brother.’

‘He wants you—’ Annalisa blushed furiously. ‘I mean, he wants you to cook for him. It’s your food he likes. Please say you’ll do it. I don’t have time to interview any other applicants, and I’m afraid for his health.’

‘His scratchy voice?’ Sadie remarked dryly.

‘Busted,’ Annalisa conceded with a theatrical huff. Sitting back, she cocked her chin to share an amused look with Sadie. ‘But, honestly, he does need you, and as his sister I have a duty to tell you that. Come on, Sadie—what do you have to lose? If you hate him, you can take a look at the antiquated kitchen. You’d be doing both of us a favour if you could offer suggestions on its renovation.’

‘Doesn’t he have a housekeeper to do that?’

‘Yes, of course,’ Annalisa confirmed, ‘but it’s not her job to redesign the kitchen, and you have so much more experience...’

‘Please,’ she added after both women had been silent for a while. ‘Alejandro does so much for everyone, and I want to do something for him.’

‘I’m not sure he likes me as much as you think he does. We’ve only met once, though I’m very pleased to hear that he likes my cooking. But if he goes to the mountains for solitude, and to be himself, as you have explained, I can’t imagine he’ll want to see me.’

‘But you can handle him. You won’t let him boss you around. And, of course, you’ll make him eat all that delicious food you prepare.’

‘Spoon-feed him?’ Sadie suggested, tongue-in-cheek.

‘You can try,’ Annalisa agreed with a laugh. ‘Please...for me,’ she repeated as Sadie drained her coffee. ‘You’ve nothing to worry about. He prefers horses to people, and keeps his best mounts at his mountain retreat, so you’ll probably hardly ever see him.’

Sadie pushed her cup and saucer to one side, giving them a few moments of thinking space. ‘I’d really love to help,’ she admitted, staring Annalisa in the eyes, ‘but it’s impossible for me to leave the restaurant.’

‘Who says you can’t?’ Chef Sorollo demanded as he walked past.

‘You’re back,’ Sadie exclaimed with relief, springing up. ‘Is everything all right at home?’

‘Yes, thank you. False alarm. I was more concerned to hear about the car crash,’ he added, and, turning to Annalisa, he took both her hands in his. ‘How are you, Señorita Alegon, and how is your brother?’

Explanations and expressions of relief were exchanged, before Chef Sorollo turned back to Sadie. ‘Did I just overhear you saying that you can’t take any time off work? I’m back, as you can see,’ he declared expansively, tapping his chest with both hands, ‘and no one deserves a break more than you. You’re no good to me exhausted, Sadie.’

‘Exactly what I was thinking,’ Annalisa exclaimed, brightening now that she had an ally and success within her grasp. ‘I’ve just explained to Sadie that if she could possibly go and cook for my brother for a little while, it would aid his recovery—’

‘Good thinking,’ Chef Sorollo cut in, and, carrying the baton forward, he added, ‘Your brother did ask me if I could visit his mountain retreat at some point, to advise on the renovation of the kitchen. Why, Sadie, that’s the perfect job for you!’

Set-up! sounded loud in Sadie’s ears, but what could she do about it, when two of the nicest people she knew had decided to range their forces against her?

‘The mountain air will do you good,’ Chef Sorollo declared. ‘It will be so refreshing, and, apart from advising on the kitchen, you can source some new recipes for El Gato Feroz. Perfect!’ he enthused. ‘The cuisine in the mountain villages is said to be second to none. Good. I’m glad that’s settled,’ he added before Sadie had chance to say a word.

‘So, you’ll do it?’ Annalisa asked, barely able to contain her excitement as she leaned across the table.

The alternative was to refuse to do something for Chef Sorollo, who had done so much for Sadie. ‘Yes,’ Sadie confirmed, biting down on everything else she’d like to say, but couldn’t when it involved her mentor. She might have felt marginally more upbeat about the forthcoming trip if she hadn’t seen the glint of amusement in the great chef’s eyes.

* * *

The sun was blazing down in the village square when Sadie finally arrived in the mountains after a long and tiring journey. She was somewhere close to Alejandro’s mountain retreat, but wasn’t sure of the precise details, as Annalisa had promised someone would meet her. Well, that someone hadn’t turned up. She’d been waiting for the promised lift for about an hour while village life bustled on around her. At least the surroundings were magnificent. Shading her eyes, she stared up at the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, noticing that the paths leading up were steep and rocky, and utterly uninviting in the heat of the sun.

Seeing an elderly lady looking at Sadie as if she would like to help, Sadie asked, ‘El Castillo Fuego?’

‘Es menos de tres millas—’

‘I’m sorry?’

The elderly woman pointed out a tree-lined track.

‘It’s less than three miles to the castle,’ she explained in heavily accented English. ‘Once you get past the smooth lower slopes the trail is a bit tricky, but you should arrive before it gets too hot for walking if you leave now,’ she added helpfully.

‘So, there’s no transport going up there?’ Sadie asked, hope dwindling as she stared apprehensively at the long and winding path.

‘There is only walking, or the helicopter used by El Duque.’ This was said with a glow of admiration in the old lady’s voice.

‘Excellent,’ Sadie said, trying not to sound too dejected.

‘There are some mule trains...’