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Me: Come by this afternoon, and I’ll have them packaged up.
Agnes: I’ll be by just after lunch then.
I glanced at the clock and realized I needed to get moving if I wanted to get my mission accomplished. I didn’t have a car to get around, so I was happy that Agnes was willing to come by and pick up my apology gifts for me.
After a quick shower, I did my hair in two Dutch braids that ran along either side of my head. I typically braided my hair back in one manner or another when I was in the kitchen as it was an easy way to tame the beast and keep things sanitary. I often wore a hair net or chef’s cap over the braids as well.
I slipped into fitted black jeans, a black long-sleeved top, and comfortable sneakers before grabbing the recipe book and heading downstairs. I wanted to get a solid day in my kitchen because I knew that I was close enough to a soft opening to start hiring staff. After a careful inventory of most of the items in the large banquet hall, I’d come to the realization that I was well stocked with enough equipment and furniture to start the restaurant. I had buckets of silverware, plenty of dishes, and more than enough tables and chairs. On top of that, there were boxes upon boxes of décor and furnishings, and coupled with the natural beauty of the restaurant space, I didn’t have much to order before we could open. I wasn’t one to fuss too much on overdecorating a space, particularly one like the banquet hall. The natural features of the stone castle walls and thick wood beams added to the atmosphere, and all the room really needed was some candles and ambient lighting.
That, and a killer menu, of course.
Sophie, Hilda, and I had met two days ago to discuss the vision for the restaurant. While they wanted to serve some of the Scottish staples, as tourists would be a large part of the clientele, they’d also encouraged me to have fun with some original dishes. Since I’d need to stick to a consistent menu in lieu of a surprise menu like I’d done at Suzette’s, I’d suggested one themed weekend a month, and then a second daily offering of my spin on the Scottish classics. For example, I could take neeps and tatties, a traditional Scottish dish of turnips and potatoes, and add my own take. It would be almost a fusion restaurant of sorts, offering a variety of influences from other food cultures, while still offering the traditional favorites for those who weren’t feeling adventurous. I’d been pleased with the outcome of the meeting, as it would allow me to stretch my legs, while also making life just a touch easier by having a consistent menu each week. We’d agreed on rotating some of the menu items each month and, of course, I could always offer any specials that I was in the mood for. All in all, I felt like it gave me a lot of creative control, while also allowing me an easier time of ordering supplies each week.
My thoughts on my menu, I almost bumped into Hilda as she poked her head out of the door to the lounge.
“Oh, Hilda! I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there,” I said, grasping the woman’s arm.
“Nae bother,” Hilda said. She was dressed today in pressed jeans and a lavender button-down shirt. “Come meet my friend if you have a moment? We were just discussing the restaurant.”
“Of course.” I detoured to the lounge, but only because I knew there would be cookies, and my empty stomach churned against the onslaught of the coffee I’d inhaled. I pulled up short when I saw the woman sitting in an armchair by the window, a small table set for tea.
The flirting granny.
I narrowed my eyes at my nemesis and sniffed. Was she here to flirt with Munroe? Or maybe she was after Archie. I’d have to warn Hilda to watch her man.
“This is my friend Catriona, Lia,” Hilda said, smiling between us both.
“Lovely to meet you.” Catriona had a voice like honey, which I’m sure many a man had appreciated.
“Nice to meet you as well,” I said. She didn’t offer me her hand to shake, so I followed suit.
“Do you have time for a cuppa? I just brewed a pot.”
“Not really,” I said, honestly. “I was just on my way to the restaurant. I have a huge list of things to get through. But I have a few minutes for a scone.” I’d been eyeing the plate of scones on the table, their scent making my mouth water.
“Oh, you must try them,” Hilda insisted, pulling out a chair for me. “They’re really something.”
“Thanks,” I said. I placed one on my plate and tore off a chunk but didn’t add butter. I always liked to see how the flavors worked before adding a topping to breads or scones. Taking a bite, I let the flavors settle on my tongue, and was delighted with the interesting combination. I hadn’t been expecting savory, for some reason. “What is this flavor? Garlic…and is that nigella?”
“Wild garlic, cheese, and nigella,” Catriona said, approval sparking on her face. “It’s one of my favorite combinations.”
“You made these? They’re delicious,” I said. “An unusual combination that works really well together.”
“I’m surprised you know of nigella. Not many people do,” Catriona said, taking a small sip from her teacup. Her hand shook with the effort, and I felt my heart softening toward this purported man-eater.
“I do. Black cumin, we call it too. It has some good health benefits, supposedly.” I eyed up the pile of scones. Would it be rude to have another?
“Go on.” Catriona smiled. “I don’t get to bake much anymore. I do miss it so.”
“Catriona used to make the best bread in the village, if not the country. People would come in droves for her loaves, and she’d be sold out by early morning,” Hilda supplied, smiling affectionately at the woman. I was starting to feel like a real bitch for my unkind thoughts about this poor woman for flirting with Munroe.
“I can’t knead anymore.” Catriona held up her hands. “Arthritis. It broke my heart to close, but the pain got to be too much. Now I try to make things here and there that don’t require much effort. I miss it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. I understood what it was like to have something taken from me, and it was only sheer luck that had landed me in this new role. Well, that and my family’s history, it seemed.
“Not much to be done about it. Just have to get on with it.” Catriona shrugged.
“I’m lucky to get your scones when you’re up to making them.” Hilda patted Catriona’s hand. “We won’t keep you, Lia. But I thought I would introduce the two of you since you both have a love for cooking.”
