Page 42 of A Spot of Tea
The night of fun had done something for Mackenzie. She was no longer jabbing at Cora, instead moving on to gentle teasing.
“I’ve always thought you were a real-life Elizabeth Bennet,” Mackenzie mused as she wiped the tables. “Your choice of best friend brings that into question.”
“I may not be as practical as Charlotte Lucas,” Cora said, packing up the leftover cookies, “but I am still an excellent best friend.”
Eliza smiled to herself. “Did you finally get around to readingPride and Prejudice?”
Mackenzie sighed. “I don’t have time for that.”
Cora gasped. “What do you even know about Charlotte Lucas? I would totally marry your creepy cousin to save Eliza.”
“That’s not exactly what happened,” Eliza said, balancing a tray on her hip.
“You know what, Mackenzie,” Cora said slowly. “You remind me a bit of Charlotte Lucas.”
“Me?” She scoffed. “I’m not some simpering fool who would marry her cousin out of desperation.”
Cora threw her hands up. “It’s notCharlotte’scousin, it’s Eliza’s cousin! Don’t you know her famous line from the movie? It’s totally you.”
“I highly doubt that,” Mackenzie said.
“She’s like, ‘I’m twenty-seven! I don’t have any money and I’m a burden to my parents! I’m scared! Don’t look at me!’”
Eliza frowned. That wasn’t the quote, but it was close enough for the two of them. They erupted into laughter.
“Wait,I’mtwenty-seven!” Mackenzie said, covering her face with her hands. “Is Charlotte really twenty-seven in the movie?”
“She is,” Eliza said. “Coincidentally, you are a burden to your parents.”
Mackenzie laughed harder and Eliza got sucked in, too.
Outside of the tea shop, waves exploded in the darkness and crashed on the shore. Inside, there was nothing but the warm glow of the lights and their snorting laughter.
It took them a while to recover, but Mackenzie finally managed to change the subject. “What’s the next step in your robbery investigation?”
The wet rag in her hands stung Eliza’s skin. There were cracks in her fingers from always washing dishes. She needed to remember to moisturize. “I’m not sure. Joey said he has some free time on Monday so we could fly to see more of the bank branches, but I’ve got to be at the tea shop.”
Cora’s face brightened. “Let me take over! If you tell me a few details, I think I can keep the ship afloat.”
“No, that’s okay. I don’t want you to have to do that.”
“Please.” Cora’s eyes were wide. “Ineedyou to solve this mystery.”
Eliza tried not to smile. “Can you imagine how crazy it would be to find the guy? Maybe everyone would stop thinking I’m such an idiot for helping him rob the bank.”
“You’re not an idiot,” Mackenzie said firmly. “I think you’re capable of finding him, but you don’t have to find him. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. We love you just the way you are.”
Eliza pulled back. “Where did that come from?”
She shrugged. “I’m channeling Charlotte Lucas.”
“Don’t start that again,” Eliza said. “If I laugh any more, I think I’ll fall over.”
“Fine, but listen. You seem to have fun with Joey, so why not go and have some fun?” Mackenzie said. “I can help Cora too.”
“Are you sure?” Eliza studied her. “I know you have a lot to catch up on after taking off work.”
Mackenzie waved a hand. “The longer I’m away, the clearer things become. I’m not even sure I still want to work there.”
