“I do remember that,” Miss Dimple said. “I loved those stories. And I love all the marvelous tea lore that you folks dole out. Working here is so fun and enlightening.”
“Of course it is,” Drayton said as he turned back to his tea brewing. “Now, I must focus.”
“Oh,” Miss Dimple said.
“Don’t mind him,” Theodosia said. “Drayton’s starting to edge into panic mode. He gets that way every time we have an event tea. Between you and me, I think he enjoys it.” She stuck her hand in her pocket, found the tiny spring she’d picked up last night, and set it on the counter. Something to ask Haley about later.
“Me panic? No way,” Drayton said.
“Drayton,” Miss Dimple said. “You need to learn the fine art of chilling out. Especially since event teas seem to be your stock-in-trade.”
“People,” Drayton said. “We need to be working.”
By the time eleven thirty rolled around, the Indigo Tea Shop was practically empty. Morning customers had come and gone, which meant Theodosia could kick it into high gear and get everything set for their Irish Cream Tea.
“So the white linens with the green shamrocks, right?” Miss Dimple said as she pulled them out of the cupboard.
“Works for me,” Theodosia said.
“And we’ve got a full house today?”
“We had six unsold seats at nine this morning, then we got a couple of last-minute calls, so now we’re completely booked.”
“The luck of the Irish,” Miss Dimple joked.
“Whatever it is,” Theodosia said, “I’m happy for it.”
She went to her cupboard, surveyed her various sets of dishes, and pulled out the Irish Rose pattern by Donegal Parian.
“That’s such a sweet pattern,” Miss Dimple said.
“I just hope we have enough plates.”
“Let’s do a quick count.”
Turns out they made it. With two plates left over.
“Whew,” Miss Dimple said. “That was close.” She surveyed the tables carefully and said, “The Gorham silver pattern you chose is wonderful. So shiny and elegant. Now . . . what else?”
“We can’t have a proper Irish Cream Tea without a few more touches of Ireland,” Theodosia said. “So I took the liberty of ordering a few stems of genuine bells of Ireland from Floradora. Which I think will look perfect in our Belleek porcelain vases.”
Miss Dimple snapped her fingers. “I’m on it.”
But Theodosia wasn’t finished yet. She also added white pillar candles to the tables along with several ceramic sheep, Irish harps, and shamrocks.
“The tables look adorable,” Miss Dimple said when she came back with her carefully arranged flowers. Are you also going to do that extra fun thing where you put out favors for your guests?”
Theodosia dug into a brown paper sack, came out with a handful of gold-wrapped chocolate coins, and tossed them onto the tables.
“Like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow,” Miss Dimple exclaimed. “Your guests are going to be charmed.”
* * *
* * *
And charmed they were. A gaggle of ladies wearing hats and gloves began showing up at ten minutes to twelve, looking happy and expectant. Then cooed as soon as they stepped into the tea room and saw how adorable it looked, how terribly authentic everything was.
Theodosia continued to greet everyone at the front door, then handed them off to Miss Dimple who led them to their seats. There was a brief flurry as two entire tables were taken up by Mable Price, president of the Broad Street Flower Society, along with eleven of her membership. Then there were the regulars and a few first-time guests as well.
Both Delaine and Echo Grace showed up, Delaine in a kelly green skirt suit with a white blouse and flouncy bow. Echo wore a shimmery beaded top with flowing slacks in colors that seemed to change from peach to orange and back to peach again. Like a delicious rainbow.
“I can’t believe you’re here today,” Theodosia said to Delaine. “Especially since your big fashion show is happening later this afternoon.”
“Yes, yes, well, the show’s producer basically kicked me out of my own shop.” Delaine shrugged. “There wasn’t all that much for me to do since I know next to nothing about lighting, sound, or constructing runways.”
“Except to put in your two cents’ worth,” Echo joked.
“Obviously,” Delaine said.
Drayton hurried over to greet them both. “So nice to see you ladies,” he said as Delaine stepped forward, grabbed him by his lapel, and administered a quick series of air-kisses. Then he pulled back and said, “Delaine, you seem to be feeling some better.”
Delaine wrinkled her nose. “You know me, I’m not one to dwell on the dreary things in life.”
“How’s Bettina doing?” Theodosia asked. She knew Delaine didn’t like being reminded of death, but figured Bettina was still plenty heartsick.
“She’s okay, I guess,” Delaine said. Then her shoulders stiffened and her eyes turned wary. “I suppose you’re still looking into things?” She’d pronounced the word things in a disgusted tone of voice as if she were referring to dung beetles.
“I am. But it’s kind of slow going,” Theodosia said.
Delaine pulled a lipstick from her handbag and dib-dabbed a swath of carnelian red across her lips. “I’m not surprised.” She clicked the lid back on, then said in a quiet voice, “I sincerely hope you don’t rock the boat too much.”
“By that you mean . . . ?”
“Coming to the show today and pestering Harv and Marv with lots of silly questions when this is their big day.” Delaine’s right eyebrow rose and quivered. “After all, you wouldn’t want to endanger my position as brand ambassador, would you?”
“Perish the thought,” Theodosia said, which made Echo grin.
“Frankly, I think it’s wonderful that you’re looking into Nadine’s murder,” Echo said to Theodosia. She nudged Delaine and said, “You’ve got a real friend in Theodosia.” Then to Theodosia again: “I hope you keep at it. I hope you break this case wide open.”
“Believe me, there’s nothing I’d like better,” Theodosia said.
“Well, you are talking to just about everyone,” Delaine said.
“Not quite. I’m having trouble getting a handle on Harvey Bateman,” Theodosia said. “He’s the one guy I haven’t been able to have a conversation with.”