The Book Club Hotel(81)

Erica looked baffled. “Right. I’ll bear that in mind.”

“Do you like snow?”

“I—on occasions, yes.”

Claudia suspected those occasions were usually when she was looking out the window at it, and not going anywhere.

“I love snow,” Delphi said. “Rufus loves snow, too. I have a sled. Do you have a sled?”

“No. And I’ve never been on a sled.”

Delphi’s eyes flew wide. “Never? Not even when you were little?”

“I lived in a city.”

Delphi patted her hand pityingly. “I can teach you. I’d like us to do that together. I have to go and walk Rufus now, but we can write that letter when I come back.” She slid off the chair just as Hattie hurried into the room.

“Delphi, you’re not supposed to be in the restaurant.” She took Delphi’s hand.

“But I did Aunt Erica a painting.”

“I know, but Aunt Erica is a guest and you know we don’t disturb guests.”

Delphi frowned. “Aunt Erica is family.”

“Yes, that’s true—” Hattie floundered and sent them a look of apology. “We’ll leave you to finish your breakfast.”

Delphi was in no hurry to leave. “But later can Aunt Erica see my toys?”

“Aunt Erica is far too busy to see your toys, and—”

“I’d love to see your toys,” Erica said, “if that’s all right. Is that Rufus standing by the door? Not that I know much about dogs, but it looks as if he has his legs crossed out there so maybe you’d better take him for his walk and I’ll see you later.”

Delphi ran across to the dog, and the two of them disappeared.

“Later?” Hattie retrieved Delphi’s hair ribbon from the floor. “You’re not checking out?”

Claudia held her breath and saw Erica glance in her direction. There was a pause as their eyes met, and Claudia wondered if Erica could see how desperately she wanted to stay. Was it visible on her face?

Maybe it was because Erica gave a brief smile. “We have reservations for the whole week,” she said, turning to look at Hattie. “We have a book to discuss, and wine to drink, and conversations to have. And Claudia seems to be having fun in your kitchen, so no, we won’t be checking out.”

“That’s great.” Hattie looked as if she was fighting emotion. “I’m pleased.”

Claudia felt similarly emotional. She’d seen that look. She suspected Erica’s reasons for changing her mind about leaving were more complicated than just a consideration of her friend’s feelings, but still, she was grateful.

And she intended to make the most of the opportunity. “I am having fun in the kitchen. I don’t suppose you’re looking for a chef to cover this week, are you? Because I might know someone who can help.”

“Are you sure?” The tension seemed to seep out of Hattie. “This is your book club week. Your vacation with your friends.”

“There will be plenty of time to talk about books, and anyway, my friends are boring.”

“Thank you,” Anna said mildly. “We love you, too.”

“Do we?” Erica raised an eyebrow. “Personally, I only love her food.”

“I thought we agreed never to tell her that?”

“Well, it’s out there now. She’ll have to live with it. Cupboard love.”

“Refrigerator love,” Anna said. “Range cooker love.”

Erica waved a hand in Claudia’s direction. “I’m already hungry. Go to the kitchen right now and get to work.”

Claudia felt a rush of love for her friends. “I’m going to do that. I have menus to plan with Hattie and a team to motivate. Let’s meet up for a quick lunch later. If I start work now, I’ll have time for that. What are you two going to do?”

“I’m going to take a trip into town to try and finish my Christmas shopping.” Anna reached for her bag and stood up. “While you’re sweating over a hot stove, I will be sipping cinnamon hot chocolate. I might treat myself to that sparkly sweater I spotted in the window.”

Erica shook her head. “Because Anna never saw a sweater she didn’t want to buy.”

Anna shrugged. “It’s Christmas. It would be cruel to leave it there all alone, feeling as if no one cared about it. Unloved. I’m offering it a good home. And after I’ve made the sweater feel at home among all my other sweaters, I will be checking that Chloe doesn’t need housekeeping assistance, and then I will be calling my Pete.” She frowned. “Or trying to call him. He has been unusually elusive this week.”

My Pete.

For once Claudia didn’t feel envious. She was too excited about the week ahead. Mostly she was relieved to discover her love of cooking hadn’t left her. It was like falling in love again. “Erica? What will you be doing?”

“Me? I’m going to keep Anna company on her shopping trip to make sure she buys a maximum of one sweater, then I’m going to write a letter to Santa,” Erica said, “and because I have no idea what I’m doing, Delphi has generously offered to help me.”

Claudia was so grateful to her that she stepped forward and hugged her. “Thank you for staying.”