Toast Page #5

Well. if it all gets too much, son,

you can always go into catering.

Wait, wait! No, no, no, no, no.

What are you doing? No, Alan, no!

No, you can't do that!

No, come on, get up there.

Let's get you up to the bedroom.

That's where we can, you know,

get your old pyjamas on. Good man.

Come on, Mrs Slater.

Come on!

Come on, up we get.

- 16?

- I'm only looking for a Saturday job.

I just want to get out

of the house, really.

I'm very good, honest.

I've read the complete works of

Marguerite Patten and everything.

Duck a l'orange,

boeuf bourguignon, veal cordon bleu,

that's the most expensive.

You can feel the duck

because of the bones.

This is sophisticated cooking, Nigel.

So this is where the magic happens.

Whack it up, bung it in, 20 minutes.

Now, if it hasn't got a label on,

just chuck it in anyway.

Now, I know it all seems a bit complicated at first

but you'll soon get the hang of it.

Who was that?

The owner's son from upstairs.

You want to watch him. Apparently,

he's training to be a ballerina.

- Really, I can't eat these.

- I just cooked them.

Well, we just had supper

an hour ago.

Just leave them there.

You might get peckish.

Oh, please, try to relax, dear.

- What are you doing?

- Oh nothing, just watch the telly, don't mind me.

Where have you been?

Nowhere. Out with some mates.

You haven't got any mates.

I got a part time job helping

out at the Green Dragon.

- What, the pub with the restaurant?

- Just on Saturdays.

- How much are they paying you?

- She didn't say.

I thought you'd be pleased I was out

from under your feet for a bit.

Uh-huh, yeah.

No, you don't.

Do you think I'm stupid?

Do you think I was born yesterday?

I know what you're up to.

Well, two can play

at that game, sunshine.

I'll give you boeuf bourguignon.

Tomorrow, we'll have duck a l'orange

or should it be coq au vin?

And then some moules mariniere.

Oh yeah, I can do foreign muck, as well.

- And that's just for starters.

- Joan!

- I don't know what you're on about.

Quiches, tortes, omelettes,

seafood, souffles, the bleeding lot.

In fact, I think I'll just

rustle up a tarte tatin.

That's a caramelised apple pie

in case you're wondering!

Just stop it!

Enough is enough.

Enough fighting, enough food.

Will you just please try to get on?

This is miserable.

I'm sorry, Dad.

Oh, just go away, Nigel.

Are you all right?

Er, yes.

Yes...perfectly fine.

Thanks very much.

Thank you.

Mavis!

Hello?

You're Nigel, aren't you?

The Fanny Cradock of Knightswick Lane.

Not any more. My dad stopped me coming.

To be honest, I only came to get

out of the house.

- Though I think I'd like to be a cook eventually.

- How come you know so much about it?

I don't, really.

My granny was French, I just picked

a few things up on holiday.

They've got a very good attitude, the French.

- Like Marguerite Patten.

- Marguerite Patten is from High Barnet.

They follow their instincts.

Let's get out of here.

That's the trouble with everyone

round here, they're all so hidebound.

If you don't get out,

you'll turn into your parents.

How long have you lived here?

A few years.

We moved from Wolverhampton.

Oh, the culinary capital

of the Midlands!

What made you want to be a chef?

Don't know, really. I just like it.

Somehow it feels quite natural.

How did you know you wanted to

be a ballet dancer?

I don't. I only agreed to go down

there so I could get away from them.

So you don't want

to be a ballet dancer?

God, no. I don't have

a clue what I want to be.

- How the hell do you stand it here?

- I don't have much choice.

You've every choice in the world.

You just got to be brave.

You can be anything you want to be.

- Do you think?

- Sure.

If you've got the nerve.

You just have to be prepared

to risk something.

See?

You can be anything

you want to be.

Come on, Elizabeth David,

we better be getting back.

Stuart!

Wait!

Stuart!

- See you.

- Come on!

- Can I see you tomorrow?

- Tough tits, big ears.

I've got to be in White Lodge in the

morning. What? Term starts on Monday.

Come on! Don't worry, sweetheart,

you'll find someone else

to play with.

Please. Don't leave me here alone.

You'll be all right, Nige.

- Who's that?

- That's Nigel. He used to work in

the restaurant.

Dad?! Hello?

I told him to leave it.

I told him we'd get a gardener.

I said leave it till next week.

He hadn't even eaten properly.

- What's happened?

- I told him, Nigel. I told him. He just wouldn't listen.

Mrs Potter, what's going on?

He's gone.

One minute he was there with the

mower, and the next minute he wasn't.

What do you mean "he's gone"?

He's dead, darling.

We're on our own now, son.

Oh, my poor darling.

Don't worry. I'll look after you.

We're going to

get through this together.

We'll both cook together.

Lovely, healthy dishes.

We'll cook a lemon meringue.

Every year. In commemoration.

You did this.

Nigel! Nigel!

Nigel! Let me in!

Please, Nigel! Open the door!

Talk to me! Nigel!

Nigel, come on, son!

Let me in, love.

Son, come on!

- I brought you a cup of tea and a nice bit of cake.

- I don't want it.

And I don't have to have it.

I don't want you in my life any more

Aw, no, you're just upset.

What you doing?

Nigel. Talk to me, son.

Talk to me!

You won.

I don't have to see you ever again.

- I'm your mother!

- You're nobody.

No, wait! Stop!

You're too young! I'm ordering you!

Nigel! Slater! Stop this right now!

I said now!

Nigel, you can't leave me on me own here!

You're the only thing I've got!

I'll make up for everything.

I'll cook anything you want me to.

Please, Nigel, say something to me.

Thank you.

What do you mean, thank you?

What do you mean, thank you?!

What do you mean?!

Nigel! Come back, Nigel!

Nigel Slater! Come back here now!

- So, how old are you really?

- 17.

- But you have worked in a kitchen?

- Yeah.

I do a very good lemon meringue.

That's what they all say, sunshine.

- All right, you're on.

- Are you sure?

You're going to be fine.

You're really going to be fine.

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