When Katherine came downstairs the next morning, she found Miss Harriet surrounded by bowls and baking sheets and racks full of baked goods.
“You’ve been busy. What time did you get here?” Katherine asked, putting the big brass kettle on to boil.
“Oh, I don’t know, perhaps since four.” Miss Harriet said distractedly.
“Four?” Katherine exclaimed, “Why ever did you come that early?”
“I was so flustered, I couldn’t sleep.”
“And so you came here to calm your nerves by baking?”
“Well, yes. I suppose you could say that.”
Miss Harriet put one last pan of scones in the oven and turned around. Katherine looked admiringly at her friend. Despite the lack of sleep and the smear of flour across one cheek, Miss Harriet looked polished and put together. The frigid winter morning had prompted her to change her light floral skirt for plain thick wool, but she had paired it with a floral blouse and a long-sleeved cardigan of the same shade as the gloves Mr. James had given her. Katherine silently wondered if she had done that deliberately.
“And are your nerves calmed now? Or should I call in an emergency order for more flour, eggs, and milk?”
Miss Harriet laughed and wiped her floury hands on her apron. “I think it’s safe now, although I don’t exactly feel calm. Whatever can he have to talk to me about?”
“Many things, I would imagine. Talking to Mr. James isn’t an unheard-of occurrence for you. Why are you so worked up about it?”
“It’s the way he said he wanted to talk to me. One minute I’m convinced he’s about to, well…” Miss Harriet broke off with a blush.
“Proclaim his undying affection?” Katherine suggested helpfully.
“Something like that, and then the next minute I’m convinced that it’s just something mundane and ordinary and I’m making a fool of myself over nothing.”
Katherine turned from the sink with a bowl in her hand.
“First of all, you’re not making a fool of yourself.” Katherine paused, looking around the kitchen at all the dishes and cooling pastries. “Ok… well, maybe just a little.”
Miss Harriet looked around too, and they both laughed. Miss Harriet picked up a stack of mixing bowls and handed it to Katherine, who put them in the sink to soak.
“I can see why you’re nervous. But think of it this way: if he is about to say something that will change things between the two of you, so much the better! And if not, you won’t walk away from this breakfast date—”
“Meeting.” Miss Harriet interjected.
“Meeting, then, with anything less than what you had before. Either you’ll end the morning as good friends, or as something better.”
Miss Harriet sighed and set a wooden spoon in the sink. “You’re right. Have I ever told you how glad I am to have you here?”
“Yes, but it’s been a day or two.” Katherine replied laughingly.
As they worked together to get the kitchen cleaned up, Miss Harriet began to return to her normal calm and cheerful self. Soon, they heard the bell over the shop door ring brightly, and Miss Harriet turned to Katherine.
“Help me off with my apron, Dearie, and tell me if I look all right.”
Katherine reached up and quickly brushed the flour off her companion’s face saying reassuringly,
“You look lovely. Here, I’ll take the apron; you go out and greet your guest. I’ll bring the tea things in a couple minutes, once the water has boiled.”
It was all Katherine could do to restrain herself from peeking around the curtain to see how the meeting was progressing. Unlike Miss Harriet, Katherine had no doubts as to the purpose of the meeting, and she was determined to give the almost-couple as much time to themselves as they needed.
The water boiled, and Katherine prepared the tea as slowly as she thought believably possible. Then she took the tray to the table.
“Tea for two!” She exclaimed. “Good morning, Mr. James. You’ll be happy to know that these scones just came out of the oven. They’re as fresh as can be.”
“Thank you, Katherine.” Mr. James smiled at her broadly. Miss Harriet had her “carefully composed” look on again, and Katherine assumed they hadn’t gotten to discussing whatever it was Mr. James had wanted to ask her about.
“I have some cleaning to do in the kitchen, so just let me know if you need anything.”
With that, Katherine turned and walked calmly away, fighting the urge to steal a look back to see what was happening. She surveyed the kitchen with a sigh. At least she would have plenty to do until the rest of the morning customers arrived. She grabbed a dishtowel and began drying and putting away the bowls and spoons she had washed earlier.
By the time the bell over the door rang again, Katherine had the kitchen looking as spotless as ever. She stole a glance at the two by the window as she walked over to greet Mrs. Penelope. They were leaning across the table towards each other, deep in earnest conversation.
“Good morning, Mrs. Penelope! How are you this morning?”
“Oh, I’m just fine, dear. Just three plain scones and a cup of tea as usual, please.”
“I’ll be right out with it.”
Back in the kitchen, Katherine wondered how long the two would be able to talk undisturbed. Mercifully, Rosie wasn’t due back until tomorrow, and the rest of the luncheon club only came in on Wednesdays. Mr. Patten would be fine, because he had his own affair of the heart to distract him. That just left the occasional walk-ins.
As she passed through the kitchen doorway, Mr. Patten walked in.
“I thought I’d see what breakfast is like here.” He said casually, with another glance over at Mrs. Penelope’s table.
