He was a man, after all. His needs for companionship and affection had been greatly diminished the last few years, but things were changing now.
He was looking toward the future in a new way. He had Kyle and Ruthie to think about. And himself, obviously.
Joyce and Beryl approached the table with bowls in hand. Joyce set one in front of him and the other in front of Harper. “Sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and fresh whipped cream is served. Prepare yourself. This will ruin you for all other puddings.”
Beryl tutted at her sister as she put dishes in front of Lucas and Frankie. “Stop that now. You’re giving it too much of a buildup. What if they don’t like it?”
Joyce added more bowls for Kyle and Willa. “They’ll like it.”
Beryl brought bowls over for herself and Joyce, and the two women joined them at the table again.
Smirking, Mitch stuck his spoon into the moist, gooey cake, getting a bite that had butterscotch sauce and whipped cream. He’d had sticky toffee pudding before on one of his trips to London to meet with his U.K. publisher, but that had been ages ago. Back when Jeanie had still been with him.
Beryl’s version did not disappoint. It was sweet with warm spices and while the cake was mostly soft, the edges had a bitof crunch that made for the perfect contrast. The sauce brought it all together. He swallowed and shook his head. “Beryl, you’ve outdone yourself.”
“This is…” Lucas sighed as he stared into his bowl. “I don’t really have words. I’ve had this before, in England, as a matter of fact, but it was—what’s the word?—rubbish compared to your version, Beryl.”
“Stop it, both of you.” Beryl clasped her hands in front of her, grinning. “You’re making me blush.”
“No, he’s right,” Mitch said. “I had this in London once. Didn’t hold a candle to yours.”
Harper clapped. “Here’s to Joyce and Beryl for treating us to a truly amazing meal.”
Mitch joined in, as did everyone else.
“All right, that’s enough,” Joyce said. She was smiling but trying to be stern and it was pretty amusing. “Eat your pudding and settle down.”
Beryl was smiling, too. “I’m pleased you all like it.”
“I’d ask for the recipe,” Frankie said. “But I know my chances of duplicating this are pretty slim. Now Lucas, on the other hand, he might be able to.”
“I’d be happy to show you,” Beryl said.
Her cheeks looked a little pink to Mitch. It was very sweet.
Lucas nodded. “Might have to do a two-parter with you ladies. This is too much good cooking to cram into one episode.”
“I’ll have to tell the girls at home,” Beryl said. “Won’t they be impressed.”
Mitch sipped his black coffee and looked around the table. Kyle and Willa were deep in conversation about something, all while finishing their sticky toffee pudding.
Next to him, Harper pushed her dish away. “I can’t eat another bite.”
“I know how you feel.” He patted his stomach. “I’m going to have to run an extra lap around the neighborhood tomorrow. Although the idea of running right now makes me a little queasy.”
She laughed. “It’ll be a walk for me. Or maybe a visit to the gym at the community center.”
Willa and Kyle were still talking, as were Lucas and Frankie. Mitch looked at Harper. “How about a walk? We could go over and get Archie, take him along.”
“Yeah?”
Mitch nodded.
“Okay, sure. Sounds good.” She got up. “Mitch and I are going to run next door and let Archie out. We won’t be too long.”
That wasn’t quite what Mitch had had in mind, but maybe Harper didn’t want to announce they were going for a walk. Just the two of them. Another sign things needed to stay professional between them.
They went down the steps and through the little path between the properties.
