Page 25 of The Chef and the Countess

Chapter 8

Sunday came, and Celia felt much better. She was ready to learn about her new duties and look around the place. All was quiet, so she continued to the kitchen. Standing in the doorway, she made an inspection. There were two giant cookers and one smaller one. The surface of the large ones could easily accommodate six or seven stock pots each. Fry pans and copper pots hung from ceiling hooks near the ovens. Two sizeable rectangular preparation tables stood in the center of the room. And along the opposite wall? Pantries with shelves and glass doors containing dishes, platters, glasses, and goblets. Next to the pantries were two wooden ice boxes. In the far corner were two sinks, with another table next to it. The kitchen had piped-in water and gas cookers. She had not expected an East End eatery to have such modern conveniences. Along the opposite wall were several rectangular windows, large enough to allow air to circulate. Numerous gas lights hung from the ceiling, illuminating the large room. The walls had white tiles, ceiling to floor, which added to the brightness. What a magnificent room, with everything laid out for maximum efficiency!

Celia discovered Enya frying eggs with three boys. The youths gave her curious looks.

“Good morning, Celia. My, you look much improved.” Enya smiled. “This is Tommy, the redhead is Timmy, and fair-haired Teddy is next to him. They live and work here, and go to school in the afternoons. We’re having a spot of breakfast. The Crowing Cock isn’t open today--it’s the first Sunday we’re closed. We’re making ham and eggs. Go through the door on the left and take a seat. We’ll bring it in.”

Celia smiled. “Thank you. Hello boys. I’m Celia Gillingham. So pleased to meet you.”

“Cor,” Teddy said. “She’s got nice manners and all.”

Celia entered the room. There was a long rectangular table with mismatched chairs and a sideboard. There wasn’t room for much else. She looked around the table—no Liam.

Fiona waved. “Good morning, Celia. I’m glad to see you’re feeling better. This is Hannah, and next to her is Morrigan. Morrigan works with me in the pub at night. They both have rooms upstairs.”

“Hello. I’m glad to meet you.” Celia smiled at the two ladies. “Is this all the people who live here? The boys, you three, Liam and Enya?”

“Yes. The other employees live nearby enough to walk to work,” Morrigan replied.

“How many employees are there?” Celia asked as she took her seat opposite from the woman.

“Well, I’m the pub manager and Liam’s assistant,” Fiona replied. “Morrigan is the head pub waitress. Enya is the restaurant’s head waitress; Hannah is her second. The boys are jacks of all trades. Between the day and the evening, we have more than twelve staff. You make thirteen. We are going to need more soon. Ah, here’s breakfast.”

Enya and the boys quickly filled the plates and placed two toasted Irish soda bread baskets with marmalade pots on the table. Before she even looked up, Celia knew that Liam had entered the room, for every nerve ending pinged with awareness.

Everyone shouted ‘Good morning’ at Liam, and he responded with a grunt as he sat at the head of the table. No one seemed to mind his non-reply as the toast and jam were passed around along with the teapot, complete with a green knitted cozy with a white shamrock design. Excited chatter broke out as they ate, and Celia cast covert glances at Liam as she cut her ham.

“What do you want us to do today, Liam?” Timmy asked.

“First, we clean. Stem to stern, front to back. Everything must sparkle for the week ahead.”

Everyone murmured their agreement.

“There are also some deliveries coming today,” Liam continued. “Chicken and eggs from O’Reilly’s Poulterers, shrimp and red herring from Billings Fish Market, and pork and bacon from Youngston Butchers. The bread and other bakery items from Mr. and Mrs. Eckley will be here early tomorrow at seven. Tommy, you take charge of that.”

“Aye, sir.”

“As Fiona and I discussed, starting on Wednesday, we will only offer two choices for the luncheon menu. Instead, we will expand our afternoon tea selections. Our new employee, Celia, will make the sandwiches and take care of the rest. Celia, you stay behind with Fiona after breakfast.”

“Yes, Liam,” Celia replied.

“Morrigan and Hannah, I want a complete inventory of what food we have on hand, what we’re low on, and what we will need for the week. The menu for the next three days is in my office. Lads, the prep work for the noon stew should be done after you’re done cleaning. Did anyone show up today?”

“About six people,” Enya replied. “I informed them we’d be closed on Sundays for a while.”

Celia must have looked puzzled, for Enya said, “We serve free stew before we open to the poor of the neighborhood. It’s heartier than a bowl of porridge.”

“Do you? I think that is wonderful,” Celia replied, her approving gaze landing on Liam. That growing admiration just spiked upward.

“Anyway, I’ll see you individually later.” At Liam’s pronouncement, everyone gathered their empty dishes and quit the room, leaving Fiona, Celia, and Liam.

“So, concerning sandwiches,” Celia began.

“I’ve decided to start serving sandwiches tomorrow instead of Wednesday. Do you both agree?” Liam asked.

“Yes, I am ready to work. I’m feeling much better,” Celia responded with a jolly smile.

“Fiona?”