Hi all. So the novice cook has been landed with Christmas lunch for…
How many would it be? With the Carter-Jones party of eight – possibly ten – plus Duncan, Xanthe, Jim and Jeanette and perhaps Ross, plus herself.
…for sixteen. As well as gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner for eight to ten people for five days. Any suggestions for festive menus, not too complicated but look impressive? My brain has gone completely blank and I’m terrified I’ve bitten off more than I can chew! Any advice to help me get ahead? Help!!!!!
Hopefully the Killorgally gang would come to her rescue with some brilliant tips because she was totally on her own. Xanthe was useless in the kitchen; her attention span was too short to keep an eye on anything.
There was a quiet knock on the door and then it opened. ‘Sorry to disturb you, I just wanted to let you know we’re running low on coffee before someone uses the last few spoonfuls and then complains there’s none left.’
Izzy lifted her head from her notes and smiled at Ross’s thoughtfulness. ‘Thanks, there’s a secret stash in the pantry for just such eventualities but I’ll add a new pack to my list.’
‘Brilliant, I need my coffee. I need warming up, it gets cold sitting all day.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. Did you want a fire in your room?’
‘God no, I’ll doze off then. I just put another jumper on. The cold is good to keep my concentration sharp. Besides, I’ll warm up soon enough this afternoon as I said I’d help Jim with a spot of painting.’
‘What about your book?’
‘I’ve just sent some stuff off to my editor, Bethany. I’m waiting for feedback. Thought you could use another pair of hands, although Jim seems to be a bit of a whizz on the wallpapering.’
‘He’s very good at everything,’ said Izzy with a quick heaven-sent prayer.
‘When he keeps his mind on the job,’ said Ross, rolling his eyes. ‘He can’t seem to keep his hands off the lovely Jeanette.’
‘You’ve noticed that too?’ said Izzy with a giggle.
‘Hard to miss it. I’ve taken to whistling before I walk down a corridor these days and I caught them both looking very breathless coming out of one of the bathrooms yesterday.’
Izzy nodded. ‘I know but … they’re hard workers so I can’t complain, and I’m not paying them very much.’
‘How are the Christmas plans coming along?’ He nodded towards the sheets of paper at her elbow, surprising her by appearing to want to make conversation.
‘They’re coming along. My main concern is the Carter-Joneses’ expectations. Are they expecting Michelin standard cooking and six-star service? I’m hoping that the warmth of the welcome will win them over. They seem quite demanding.’
‘You’ll be fine.’ He leaned back against the wall, studying her.
‘Easy for you to say that. Do you know what you’ll be doing yet?’
‘Actually, that was the other reason for coming to find you, I’ve decided I’d quite like to stay here.’ He paused. ‘I can give you a hand.’
‘You!’
‘Don’t sound so surprised. I’ll take a couple of days off and I can pitch in. I can also act as maître d’. I worked in quite a few restaurants in Edinburgh when I was a student.’
‘What happened to peace and quiet?’
‘That’s for when I’m working. I can be quite sociable when I want to be, you know.’
‘Yes. I suppose you can.’ Although she had noticed he tended to beat a hasty retreat whenever Xanthe appeared on the scene, but then her mother was on the loud side for most people. ‘Well I’m not going to refuse any help.’ She looked up at him, grateful for his support.
Just then his phone rang. Ross glanced down at it and wrinkled his nose. ‘I have to take this.’ He gave her a quick smile. ‘But if all else fails, there’s always baked beans on toast.’
She shook her head as he left. ‘Spoken like a true man who has absolutely no idea what is involved in Christmas.’
Chapter Ten
‘Izzy! Izzy! Izzy!’ Xanthe’s frantic squawks echoed down the stairs.
