Anna reached across and gave her hand a squeeze. “It’s good to see you happy.” She went back to her pancakes. “What is Hattie going to do about staffing the kitchen tonight?”
“I don’t know. We’re meeting after breakfast to talk through how she can simplify the menu and maybe manage with the team she has.” She wanted to volunteer her services, but she wasn’t in a position to do that.
She glanced at Erica again. Would she change her mind about leaving?
Hattie seemed pretty great. And okay, the initial situation and meeting had been awkward, but they’d already bumped their way over that so why was Erica so determined to walk away from it?
Erica hadn’t spoken since they’d sat down at the breakfast table. Nor had she touched her food. All she’d done was sip black coffee and gaze out the window. Not that gazing out the window was a bad occupation. The snow had continued to fall during the night and they’d woken to blue skies and a deep layer of fresh snow. Bright sunshine dazzled, adding sparkle to the jewel-encrusted surface. Trees were coated, their branches bowing under the weight of fresh snow.The view added to the festive atmosphere of the inn.
“What did you two do while I was sweating away over a hot stove?” Claudia finished her pancakes, making a mental note to congratulate the chef later.
“I spent an entertaining hour with Delphi,” Anna said. “Who reminded me how much I love young children. Also, how very exhausting they are.”
Claudia reached for her coffee. “How old is she?”
“Five and three quarters, as she told me. We read, and she asked approximately two hundred and fifty questions in the space of thirty minutes. She also drowned me in interesting facts. Did you know that there are over five hundred species of shark? Also, they have been around for more than four hundred million years.”
“Four hundred million? I’m going to stop complaining about almost being forty.” Claudia suppressed a yawn. “I remember yours asking a million questions when they were that age. Don’t you, Erica?”
Erica didn’t answer and Anna frowned slightly.
“Erica?”
Erica turned her head and blinked. “Sorry, what did I miss?”
“Sparkling conversation and pancakes—” Claudia gestured to the untouched plate in front of her. “You should eat.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’re going to eat, or you’ll offend the chef.”
“Yesterday you were telling me it was the guests that were important, not the chef’s feelings.”
“That was yesterday. And it depends on the chef. I happen to like the breakfast chef. Eat. And also, tell us what’s on your mind.” Claudia leaned across the table and helped herself to a bite of Erica’s pancake.“Anna will get it out of you eventually, so you might as well just tell us now. Ow!” She felt Anna’s foot connect briskly with her ankle and stopped talking.
“I tapped on your door last night,” Anna said, “but there was no answer and you didn’t reply to my message. I was worried.”
“My phone was on silent.” Erica took a mouthful of pancake. “I spent the evening with Hattie.”
“That’s good.” Or was it? Claudia reached down and rubbed her ankle. “Did you talk?”
“Yes. And also shared a bottle of exceptionally good red wine. I’ve ordered you and Pete a crate for Christmas, Anna.”
“Thank you. That’s thoughtful.” Anna leaned forward. “And? Give us details.”
“It’s a pinot noir. Pete will love it.”
“I wasn’t asking about the wine.”
Erica put her fork down. “I know.”
A few other guests started to arrive in the restaurant, smiling a greeting as they passed the three women on their way to their table.
Anna waited until they were seated and out of earshot. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“Yes, she does,” Claudia said. “If we’re leaving this morning then there are plans to be made.” Was it selfish of her to hope they wouldn’t be leaving?
Anna was focused on Erica. “Was the conversation upsetting?”
