Katherine began slipping cups into the sudsy water as Mrs. James pulled a large dishtowel from a drawer.
“Katherine,” she began.
Here it comes. Katherine’s hands shook a little, and she had to hold tight to the cup she was rinsing.
“Don’t worry Dearie, it isn’t anything dreadful.” Mrs. James laughed lightly and took the cup from Katherine’s trembling hand. “It’s only that I’ve been thinking about how much work this place is—it’s very nearly too much even for the two of us now. You know Harold and I have a trip to England coming up later this year, and I do so want you to have some reliable help whilst we’re gone. I’ve been thinking it over the past few days, and I may have thought of a solution.”
“And what did your new husband say to your bringing the tea shop along on your honeymoon?” Katherine asked teasingly.
“Oh, he agreed with me that we need another employee. Especially with the trip coming up, but also so I can be home a little more, now that I’m married.”
There it was. The nagging something again, prodding her like a child poking at a bruise. Katherine tried to brush it off as she replied, “I know we talked about hiring someone, but who in Harborhaven would be a good fit?”
“That’s just it, Dearie.” Mrs. James reached up to put a saucer in the cupboard, then turned toward Katherine. “It won’t be someone from Harborhaven.”
“What? Who do you have in mind?”
“I have a cousin of sorts, more like a niece, really. She’s in need of a place, rather like you were when you first came to town. I told her we could try it for a while and see how she does.”
“That’s great!” A wave of relief swept over Katherine, though the nagging something remained.
“Harold’s old place is vacant, you know, and we thought she might like to stay there. Of course, I wouldn’t dream of asking you to give up your flat upstairs, or to share it with a stranger.”
Katherine smiled. “I wouldn’t have minded. You’ve done so much for me, I feel it’s only right to try to help someone else in the same boat.”
Mrs. James reached over and squeezed Katherine’s hand, suds and all. “I know you wouldn’t mind. But Harold’s flat will do just fine for her, and it will give her an extra measure of independence, you know.”
“I suppose. And what is this cousin’s daughter’s name?”
“Sally.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone named Sally before.”
“Well,” Mrs. James said with a chuckle, “If she’s anything like she was the last time I saw her, you’re in for an adventure.”
4 Sally
A rare burst of autumnal sunshine flooded the tall windows which made up the front wall of Miss Harriet’s as Katherine wheeled a cart full of clean teacups, napkins and silverware out from the kitchen. She enjoyed the simple routine of setting the tables. It was the last task before opening each morning, and she always tried to get to it early enough to take her time, savoring the simple beauty of precision and order. The outward routine of placing cups and saucers and forks and knives just so settled her, somehow, and gave a sense of peace to what in recent months had become a hectic morning rush.
She had just finished setting the first table when the bell over the door rang and Mrs. James breezed in, followed by a young woman around Katherine’s age, with nut-brown hair slicked back into an orderly bun. She wore a tight sort of frozen smile on her round face and her dark brown eyes were wide beneath their long lashes.
“Well, here we are then, my dears. Katherine, this is my cousin Sally. Sally, this is Katherine.” Mrs. James gently drew Sally forward as she spoke.
Sally stood hesitantly, clasping her hands before her first one way, then another, as if unsure what to do with them.
“Good to meet you, Sally.” Katherine stepped forward and reached out her hand to the newcomer with a friendly smile.
“Me too,” was all Sally could manage in reply, but the frozen smile thawed into a genuine one as the two shook hands.
Mrs. James stood to one side, giving the two younger women what Katherine could only describe as a maternal smile. “Katherine, I thought Sally could shadow you today, and maybe get a feel for how we do things before we decide on her specific duties.”
“That sounds like a good plan.” Katherine said. Turning to Sally, she motioned towards the cart. “I was just setting the tables. I’ll show you.”
Mrs. James moved off toward the kitchen with her usual graceful gait, while Katherine and Sally began laying out the forks and knives at the next empty table. As they worked, Katherine stole a glance at her new coworker. She was neatly attired in a straight black skirt and white blouse, sleeves buttoned tightly at the wrist. Unlike her graceful cousin, Sally moved clumsily on thick-soled black shoes, dressy but practical for the all-day walking and standing her new job would entail.
“Have you ever worked in a tearoom before?” Katherine asked cheerfully, setting out a cup and saucer.
“No…” Sally’s face clouded a little. “I’ve worked lots of places, but never a tearoom.” Katherine noticed an accent, similar to Mrs. James’ but different. Rounder, somehow.
“And are you from the same part of England as your cousin?”
“A bit northward… I don’t suppose you’d know the place if I told you.”
Katherine smiled, “No, I suppose not… I have to admit I haven’t paid too much attention to the geography of Great Britain. Do you have brothers or sisters?”
“Yes, quite a few...” Sally’s voice trailed and she turned quickly towards the cart, bumping the table and causing all the dishes to rattle as she did. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She turned around just as quickly to help set everything back in its place again, this time bumping the cart in her hurry. “I’m ever so clumsy. I really will try to be more careful.”
“It’s all right, Sally.” Katherine said gently. She recognized in the younger woman signs of the same deep, unsettled hurt she herself had exhibited when she first arrived at Miss Harriet’s. Her heart immediately warmed to Sally. How can I help you? she wondered silently, watching as the thick-soled shoes careened their owner to the next table, tripping slightly over themselves on the way.
* * * *
