Page 64 of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure
“Where’s the fire, Nico?” he asked.
“See what I have for you,” Nico said. “Look at the size of them. How many do you want?”
“I’ll take two,” Henri said. “Madame here has created an English pie for the visitors’ dinner tonight.”
“An English pie?” Nico looked sceptical. “Do the English know how to bake pies?”
“Steak and kidney,” Ellie replied. “You should try it.”
“I’d rather try the fish you’re going to cook,” he said. “Aren’t you going to invite me to sample it?”
“You’ve never shown any interest in coming to dinner at my house,” she said.
“You’ve invited everyone else.” He gave an imitation pout.
“I didn’t think you’d want to come,” she replied. “You stayed away from the party.”
“I told you before I don’t like parties.”
“But now your curiosity has got the better of you,” she said, grinning at him. “You want to see what we’ve done to the place.”
“I’ve seen perfectly well most of what you’ve done,” he said. “You didn’t have any curtains until recently.” And the way he looked at her made her think that he was referring to her bedroom. She blushed.
“Very well,” she said. “Then you are welcome to come up tonight,” she said. “Bring your mother.”
“She can’t make the steps,” he said. “I’ll come alone. You cook the fish. I will be the judge.”
“All right, I will.” She recoiled as he went to hand her a large fish.
“But I still can’t carry the fish,” she said.
“Ah yes. Henri, do you have a basket for madame?”
Henri had been watching the interaction with amusement. “Of course,” he said, “but first she has to instruct me how long to cook her pie. And we must wrap the fish in paper, or my basket will stink to high heaven.”
“So how much do I owe you?” she asked.
Nico shook his head. “It’s a gift. A gift from the sea gods.”
“Well, thank you. I’ll try to prepare it to your satisfaction.”
“I look forward to it.” He gave a little bow. “Until tonight, then.”
Colin had been watching the rapid exchange of French.
Ellie turned to him. “This gentleman has brought me a fish,” she said. “I have to go into the kitchen to show Henri how to cook a pie and get the fish wrapped up.”
“All right.” He looked a little stunned. Ellie went into the kitchen, then reappeared quickly, now carrying a basket with the fish wrapped in paper.
“Good,” she said. “Now we have dinner. Can’t I persuade you to join us?”
He looked uncomfortable. “I should be getting on my way.”
“Are you sure? We eat quite well, you know, and the pension has spare rooms.”
“No, really. The friends in Nice are expecting me.”
“Fine.” She put down the basket and resumed her place at the table, taking a swig of her coffee.
