‘That’s good, because I really like it. I’m quite excited to ice it.’
Katherine slid Morgan’s latte towards her. ‘Tammy and I were just talking about the buffet. What do you have in mind because time is ticking.’
‘That’s what I wanted to discuss with you Katherine. I know you are here on respite, but would you mind awfully if I asked for your help? Christine and Pamela have already said they’d pitch in as well if they need to.’
Katherine’s face beamed. ‘I thought you’d never ask. You know how much I love to prepare buffets.’
Tammy wiggled excitedly in her seat. ‘Declan and I can help too.’
Morgan’s shoulders dropped as she sighed. ‘That’s fantastic, and it’s taken a load off my mind. What do you think we should do?’
‘Mainly cold finger foods. However, we could take the pot heaters from the kitchen and provide some selected warm foods. I think some of the elderly residents would prefer to eat warm food.’
Morgan nodded in agreement. ‘I’m only using bales of hay for seating. Do you think that will be alright for the elderly.’
Katherine nodded. ‘Of course it will. I dare say a lot of the elderly residents would love to sit on a hay bale again. I bet they’ve rolled around in them a few times in their youth, too.’
Tammy giggled and Morgan hooted with laughter. ‘Katherine, what are you like? Did your mother ever remove theodd strand of hay from your curls when you were a young lady, eh?’
Katherine imitated zipping her lips together. ‘My lips are sealed.’
They all laughed. Declan came from behind the counter and walked over to their table. ‘I’ll have a pint of what you girls have all had please?’
Tammy stood up and threaded her fingers through his. ‘It involves hay and rolling around. Are you sure that’s what you want?’
Declan frowned. ‘Hay?’
Tammy lifted their entwined hands and kissed the back of his hand. ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll show you at Morgan’s party.’
Declan’s brow lifted and his jaw dropped open. ‘Ah! I think I understand.’
Morgan was sure she saw his cheeks deepen in colour. The doorbell tinkled and four mothers with young children came into the tearoom.
‘We’d better get serving,’ said Tammy to Morgan and Christine. ‘Let me know when and where you want us when you come to prepare the buffet.’
Morgan nodded. ‘I will, and thank you love.’ Katherine waved a plastic card in front of Morgan’s face. ’What’s that?’
‘My cash ‘n’ carry card. The one I had when this place was still my cafe. I think we need to buy the majority of the food from there. It will save you a ton of money.’
‘Does it sell decorations as well?’
‘It sells practically everything.’
Morgan picked up her latte and downed it in one. ‘What are we waiting for? Let’s go!’
Katherine chuckled as she watched Morgan get to her feet.
THREE HOURS LATER,Pippa was helping Morgan and Katherine fill the fridges and freezers of the pub to capacity.
‘I don’t think we have enough room for those two boxes,’ grimaced Pippa. ‘What about the fridge-freezer in your house Aunt?’
The thought of going back to the house again saddened her. Until then, she hadn’t realised why she’d spent less and less time there over the years. In that split-second, she knew it was time to sell up. Only then could she move on from the past.
She shook her head. ‘I’m not sure it’s up to the job love. It’s over three decades old. No. I’ll use the fridge and freezer upstairs.’
Pippa nodded. ‘Okay. I’ll take them up now before they begin to defrost.’
‘Thanks Kiddo.’
