Page 42 of The Seaside Homecoming
“Spiced meat roasted on skewers. Delicious.”
“Is that Indian food?”
“Turkish. Although eaten in India as well, I understand.”
She wondered how he knew. She supposed he’d spent time in India and that was how he’d met Mira’s mother. Remembering Sonali’s warning about invading Mr. Hammond’s privacy, she did not ask.
“I suppose I can understand Mrs. Ballard’s reticence to serve that here,” Claire said. “Very well. I shall attempt next week’s menu.”
After he left, Claire sat at the desk, her mind wheeling back over the many lavish, delicious dinners they had enjoyed at Finderlay over the years. Closing her eyes, she could still smell the savory aromas and see gleaming dishes of larded sweet breads, pigeon pie, salmon with fennel sauce, haunch of veal roasted to a turn, haricot of mutton, fresh salads, almond cheesecakes, sweetmeats, and more. Her stomach rumbled at the thought.
With these memories in mind, she retrieved pen, ink, and paper and began writing down possible menus. While she was at it, she also wrote a brief letter to Mr. Dumfries, as he’d requested, letting him know where she was living.
On Monday morning after breakfast, she showed the menus to Mrs. Ballard.
The cook sat at the worktable and reviewed them in silence for several minutes, frown lines deepening as she read.
“My goodness, miss. This is exceedingly fine fare for a boarding house. Veal? Duck? Pigeon? I would need a far greater budget, and we’d have to double the daily rates—that’s for certain. Has Mr. Hammond agreed to this?”
Claire’s stomach churned and bile soured her throat. “Theseare only ideas. Never mind. I shall give it more thought and talk it over with Mrs. Farrant. Let’s repeat last week’s menu for now, shall we?”
“Yes, miss. Very good.”
Later that day, Claire sat with Fran Farrant in the housekeeper’s room over cups of tea. She gave her the proposed menu and explained Mrs. Ballard’s reaction to it.
Fran reviewed it, then looked up with a soft chuckle.“Duck?”
Claire held her head in her hands. She was not off to a promising start.
Fran patted her slumped shoulders. “There, there, my dear. How were you to know? I assure you, your mother and sisters made similar mistakes when they first opened Sea View to guests. Never mind. I shall help. While it’s no Finderlay, Broadbridge’s can still provide filling, wholesome meals. Not with veal, duck, and pigeon, but with boiled beef, chicken, a great deal of local fish, and mounds of turnips and potatoes, with the occasional green vegetable or fruit. Sound reasonable?”
Claire straightened and nodded.
Fran turned the paper over and slid it toward Claire with an encouraging smile. “Then let’s begin.”
That evening, Claire opened the door to a couple in search of accommodation—her first guests to register and settle in on her own.
The young man bowed and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Bracegirdle.”
The woman on his arm giggled, whether from the surname itself or the newness of hearing herself thus introduced, Claire did not know.
She certainly hoped the young pair were married in actual fact and not simply pretending to be.
“Pray forgive me,” Mrs. Bracegirdle said. “I still can’t believethat’s my name now we’re married. How venerable I do sound!” She leaned her cheek against her husband’s shoulder, still holding on to his arm as though it were a lifeline.
“You are very welcome,” Claire said. “Did you write to let us know you were coming?”
“No.” The young lady sucked in a gasp. “Were we supposed to?”
“It’s not a problem,” Claire hurried to assure them. “We have rooms available.”
“Oh, good.” The young man blew out a breath between puffed cheeks.
“If you would follow me into the office here, so I can get your details?” Claire led them into the morning room, stepped behind the desk, and opened the registration book.
He said, “We saw the place mentioned inThe Sidmouth Guide, and thought we might stay three weeks or so, until I ship out again.” He shifted awkwardly. “That is, if we can afford it. I’m afraid we don’t have a great deal of money. I have my savings, and dear ol’ Gran gave us some for our wedding. I hope it’s enough.”
Claire’s heart softened toward the earnest young man. “We have a pleasant room on the top floor that goes for a reduced rate. So if you don’t mind an extra flight of stairs...?”
