Chapter Nineteen

Evie’s parents controlled themselves and at six-thirty sharp the CDs were turned off and the guests were told that dinner would be served in two hours’ time. It was usually at eight but judging by the amount of food that had been consumed during the ‘happy hour’ no one would be hungry by then. Not that the extra half hour would make a great deal of difference.

The menu was limited – as the harpy with two names was quick to point out – but Snowflake Inn was an inn, not a restaurant or posh hotel. Evie politely suggested that there were several good restaurants in Michaelmas Bay if Felicia would like to try them, but meals at the inn were included in the price during the festive season – whether eaten or not.

Felicia gasped when she saw the wine list. ‘This is a wine list?’

Evie smiled. ‘Yes. I’m sure you’ll be able to find at least one wine to your liking.’

‘If I were looking for wine vinegar, perhaps. Is there really no champagne?’

Evie maintained her smile in spite of the considerable effort required. ‘No. We do have a rather pleasant English sparkling wine from a local vineyard. I can highly recommend that.’

Felicia looked her up and down. ‘I’ll have a G&T. A large one. And so will Peter. He’ll be here shortly. And water. Bottled water. You do have bottled water, don’t you?’

‘Yes. I’ll go and fill a bottle for you right now.’

Zachary, who had come into the dining room with his family a few seconds before, gave a burst of laughter. ‘Evie’s teasing you, Felicia. There’s no need to look so horrified.’ He smiled at Evie.

‘I think there’s every need,’ Felicia replied. ‘Have you seen this list?’ She waved the wine list in the air.

 ‘No. But I’m looking forward to trying the local sparkling wine.’

Evie could almost feel the daggers in her back as she walked away from Felicia’s table, but Zachary continued:

 ‘There’ll be champagne for you tomorrow. John has very kindly put in an order with a local wine merchant who can deliver it in the morning, along with some other of our favourite wines. We’ve even managed to get a few bottles of Pop’s favourite, so everyone’s happy. There’ll be plenty to last for the duration of our stay.’

The Thorn party may be happy but Evie wasn’t. She shoved open the kitchen door and spotted her dad warming his hands by the kitchen Aga. ‘What’s this about you ordering champagne and other, no doubt eye-poppingly expensive, wine? There’s nothing wrong with our wine list. We’ve got some very good wines.’

‘But not quite what Joshua and his family are used to, sweetheart. Besides it’s not a problem. Joshua paid for it all upfront and told me to add twenty-five per cent to the bill. Zachary even said that we can keep any that aren’t opened. They’ve chosen some extremely good labels. I’m looking forward to trying a glass of one or two myself. Everyone’s happy. Anthony, from Michaelmas Bay Wines will be getting a fantastic cut, and we’ve made more on this wine order than we could in a couple of months of being fully booked. It’s a miracle in every bottle.’

‘Oh I see. Well in that case I suppose it’s fine. Is there any sign of Gran? Is she coming down for dinner? I don’t know why she won’t. It’s not as if we’re eating with the guests.’

Molly shook her head. ‘She texted me from her room to say she’s not very hungry but could someone take her up a sherry and some cheese and biscuits. Cheese and biscuits, my eye. Logan here is doing a grand job so she’ll have more than cheese and biscuits. I’ll pop up and see her as soon as the starters are all out.’

‘I’d better go and finish taking orders then. Roland? Are you staying to do the drinks or is Robin coming to take over?’

‘Robin’s coming. But I’ll do them until he gets here.’

‘Great. So far we need two large G&Ts and a bottle of water for the harpy with two names. Damn. I forgot to ask if she wanted sparkling or still. I suppose she’ll expect me to know. Take her both and let her pick.’

Roland smiled and brushed his arm against hers as he walked past her to the bar. ‘You look stressed, Evangeline. I could give you a shoulder massage, or something. That might help. I’m good with my hands.’

‘I bet you are.’ She moved away and caught Logan looking at her whilst he was stirring the gravy. ‘How are you enjoying it so far, Logan?’

‘Loving it, thanks. It’s good to be back here.’

‘I bet you can’t wait to see Severine, can you?’

He didn’t even flinch. ‘No. It’ll be interesting to see if she’s changed at all. You’ve changed a lot – in looks, but not in personality.’

‘Is that good or bad? Forget it. I’d rather not know. Severine’s the same as she always was. No. Actually she’s even prettier now. Raven’s gorgeous, isn’t she? But she doesn’t really take after her mum, does she? What do you think?’

He shrugged. ‘She’s very pretty. And she seems like a nice kid.’

‘She wasn’t quite so nice when she arrived a few days ago. Sorry. I didn’t mean that. She was a bit moody when she got here but she seems to have cheered up.’

A grin tugged at Logan’s mouth. ‘I thought you said she didn’t take after her mum?’

Evie laughed. ‘I meant in looks. Perhaps she takes after her dad in that department. Do you think so?’

‘Yes, I think she probably does.’ He met Evie’s look. ‘Do you know who he is? Gran said there seemed to be some doubt.’

Evie leant closer. ‘No, Logan, I don’t. But I think perhaps you do.’

He nearly spilt the gravy. ‘Me?’ His voice was low but there was a hint of anxiety in his tone. ‘How would I know? I left before anyone knew she was expecting. My dad had just died, don’t forget.’

‘I know. But that doesn’t mean you don’t know who Raven’s father is.’

He stared at her for a moment. ‘It’s not me, Evie, if that’s what you’re thinking.’

‘I didn’t think it was,’ she lied. ‘But I saw the expression on your face when you realised who Raven was. You know, or at the very least, you have a strong idea.’

‘OK. Let’s say I did.’ He leant closer to avoid being overheard. ‘And I’m not saying for one minute that I do, but if I did, do you honestly think I’d say anything? I’m thinking of coming to live down this way. Severine’s wrath is something I’d rather avoid, thanks all the same. Besides, I can keep a secret, Evie. Even if no one has asked me to. Don’t you think you’d better go and take the rest of those orders?’ He smiled and walked towards the ovens.

Logan was right. She had better go and take the rest of the orders, or they’d still be here at midnight. The identity of Raven’s father had been a secret for this long; it could remain a secret a little longer.