Right Number, Wrong Girl

I grimaced. “It was rough. I didn’t have all the information I should have, and she wasn’t happy with your Grandma’s changes.”

“Yeah, she kind of yelled at Mum a bit about that. Saying it was her party but she had no say in it. They both asked Hugo to back them up, and he said he wasn’t getting involved, so now Mum and Grandma aren’t talking to each other or him.”

“That seems like a good outcome for everyone, honestly.”

“Pretty much. Is there anything I can do to help you?” Henry looked at the table. “That looks like a lot.”

“It’s a lot of phone calls,” I replied slowly. “But if you have nothing else to do, I’m sure there’s something here in your mother’s long list of endless modifications.”

His lips twitched warmly. “All right. Hit me with it, Sophie. Let’s get to it.”

***

“The chef?”

“Check,” I replied. “Called the team, clarified the menu with a change to the dessert, and received the new menu in return.”

“Emailed to all the invited guests?” Henry questioned.

I nodded. “Or their household point of contact. With a note of apology for the lack of menu included with the invitation due to an oversight.”

A staffing oversight.

You better believe I was blaming Nancy for that.

“They’ve also been given seventy-two hours to RSVP with their choice of food for each attending guest which they can do either by post or email. Physical responses are to be addressed to Camilla Hopkins at Cavendish House.”

“Bingo. Then you have all the answers you need.”

“Exactly. That was a good idea. Thanks.” I smiled at Henry. “Keep going.”

“Meeting with Mum and Grandma to clear the air about the menu?”

“I’m not going to call Nancy; I’m going to arrive tomorrow morning at the usual time and get them then. With the chef’s approval, the menu is final.”

“Perfect. Nancy seems to be your weak link, doesn’t she?” Henry looked at me curiously. “Have you noticed that?”

I hadn’t explained the situation to him the way I had with Hugo—just that there’d been a few miscommunications. “Yeah. Honestly, we just don’t really click like that. The menu chat is so quick and easy it can be had in the hallway if necessary. It doesn’t really require scheduling anyway.”

“All right. And the alcohol?”

“I will arrange with Rupert tomorrow to search the cellar and sort out the wine menu with him as he’s a trained connoisseur.” I closed my eyes and sighed. “This is a lot of information to remember.”

“But you’ve got this, Sophie.” He reached over and touched my arm. “I know you think you’re not doing a good job, but this isn’t your job.”

I smiled at him, letting my eyes open. “Thank you. But I couldn’t have done this without you. Or Hugo,” I added, slightly begrudgingly.

“I think you could.” Henry pushed the paper back to me. “You’ve got enough here to assure my mother that you have everything under control.”

“Thank you. I hope so.”

“I think she and Dad are going out for dinner somewhere tonight, but if I see her, I’ll let her know you want to discuss the menu with her in the morning so to keep ten minutes for you.”

Ugh. He was so nice.

If nothing else, maybe I’d leave Moorhaven with a couple of friends more than I’d had when I’d arrived.

“It’s getting on a bit.” Henry checked his watch. “Nearly six. Do you want to go out and grab some dinner somewhere?”