Chapter Two, Episode 141 - The Old Fool - Situationally Theirs

“What’s the big surprise, Samuel? Not much surprises me anymore, you know that.” Elizabeth was pretty curious. Samuel was tightlipped. He was known as a man of few words, that is until he started telling stories or explaining anything about nature. “Nothin’ much, Elizabeth.” What Samuel did know about his friend was her love of celebrity chefs. Not all of them. “Just that fancy new restaurant is all.” Elizabeth felt a thrill of excitement. She’d heard of it, but knew she’d never be inside it, especially with Samuel. He didn’t believe in fancy food and white napkins. “Just give me plain food.” What he didn’t know was that Elizabeth seldom made him any plain food. There was always a certain spice, herb or technique that was different. If it was overdone, he always commented. “Taste buds must be gettin’ old. Didn’t taste right Elizabeth. Good but just not right.” Keeping notes, she adjusted and measured til she was satisfied. Some things she never made for Samuel again. 

“What’s this about that ghost you’re always going on about?” He had to change the subject so she wouldn’t start asking too many questions about the restaurant. “You mean Sarah? Didn’t think you wanted any talk about ghosts.” Samuel kept driving, eyes fixed on the road. “Just heard James say something about it.” He could’t bring himself to say ‘her’. “Well, that new fellow - Phillip - wants to be a butler. He wants James to show him what he knows. Worried that the young man would be scared away, he told us that it had all worked out.” It was a short drive into Hartley, but ‘Just Plain Food’ - the fancy new restaurant  - was on the other side of town. Taking the bypass, they arrived in short order. “This doesn’t look all that fancy, Samuel.” Elizabeth stifled a laugh. “Well it is. I been in there to find out. I liked the name. All high falutin’ with that maitré fellow at the front.” He opened the heavy oak door to a modest dining room. Aromas of Elizabeth’s grandmother’s kitchen pervaded the room. 

“Good evening, sir. So good to see you again.” The maitré de, in perfectly tailored casual suit and tie, nodded to Elizabeth. “Good  evening, madam.” Turning to Samuel he introduced their waiter for the evening, a young man in a crisp white shirt and black slacks. He smiled and ushered them to a table in their ‘Verandah’ overlooking groomed lawn and flower garden. Once seated and the waiter gone to get their drinks - water with lemon no ice for Elizabeth and beer for Samuel - the couple examined their menus. “There’s no prices here, Samuel. You know what that means.” He replied “Think I’ll have their Shepherds Pie. Supposed to be pretty good. See if it’s any better than yours.” He did feel awkward. He could feel his collar almost choking him, he wanted to take his sport jacket off and hang it on the back of his chair, but he was trying to be someone he was not. Just for this one night. “Oh my, Samuel.” He heard heard her gasp. “What is it, Elizabeth?!” Her face had gone white. “This is Chef Jamie Oliver’s newest restaurant! That’s your surprise! You old fool. How did you know?!” Her hands were trembling so that she put down her menu. “I noticed all those cookbooks in your kitchen, more of his than anyone else. You didn’t think I paid attention. Talking to Giles, he told me about who owned this place. Most everyone out at the Estate knows.” The waiter was back to take their orders. Elizabeth was so tongue tied, that she just pointed at it on the menu: Roast chicken drumsticks, rice pilaf and root vegetables.

~~~~~

Their meal finished, plates cleared away, the couple had ordered some desserts. Apple pie for Samuel, with vanilla ice cream. A Cremé Brûlée for Elizabeth with a sprig of mint and chocolate shavings. “Oh, Samuel. This has been the best surprise. I love cooking and learning about cooking, but to eat the food of an experienced chef is just plain wonderful.” Samuel beckoned the waiter who nodded and returned to the kitchen. “Not quite all, Elizabeth. Not quite as great as I wanted it but the best I could do. Elizabeth looked up. The waiter was approaching their table with a young woman in an apron, her hair tied loosely on her head. “Mrs. Saunders? My name is Roxanne. I’m head chef here at Just Plain Food. I’m pleased to meet you. I hear that you are a fine chef yourself.” For the first time in her life, Elizabeth was completely gob-smacked! Speechless. “I’m sorry, didn’t Mr. Forrester tell you? Mr. Oliver won’t be here till sometime next year and then only for a brief visit. We do only use his recipes.” Regaining her voice, Elizabeth said “I recognized you from television. We’ve been eating your food! And it was so, so perfect.” Samuel sat back in his chair, very proud himself. ‘Pleased as punch’ his dad would say. He’d not had a chance like this to really surprise Elizabeth. When Giles told him about this restaurant, he knew that chance had come.

The evening wasn’t finished yet. Samuel ordered a second slice of pie, tea for Elizabeth. He dawdled over the pie, kept her talking about Sarah. He was suddenly very interested in Sarah. What was she like, could Elizabeth see her, was she a mean ghost, how old was she, did she look like she was draped in a sheet… after a while he ran out of questions. Elizabeth was still so star struck, she didn’t pay attention to the time. Then Samuel was looking at his watch and back toward the kitchen door. “Samuel, we’re the last people in here! We’d better go.” She gathered herself together and started to stand. Suddenly the waiter was at their table. “We’re on our way, sorry we’ve taken so long.” Samuel did stand then, but not to leave. “Elizabeth we’re not leaving yet. Follow our waiter.” He offered his arm and led her to the kitchen. The waiter opened the doors to the kitchen. “Come in madam. Roxanne will give you a tour of the kitchen. I understand you have an interest. Here’s Roxanne.” Elizabeth didn’t think anything would surprise her again, but there she was. To be in this working, gleaming kitchen, sous chefs cleaning up, the head chef greeting her again, she almost felt faint. 

~~~~~

That night, at home and in her bed, her mind still whirled with the fascination of it all. Falling asleep, she saw Samuel across the table from her. A gentle, kind and very devious man. Her last words as she drifted off “The old fool………”

“The surprise is that you continue to be surprised.”

~ Jill A. Davis, Ask Again Later