Holly Jolly Homicide: A Christmas Cozy Mystery Series by Mona Marple & Katie Forrest

Author:Mona Marple & Katie Forrest [Marple, Mona & Forrest, Katie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-12-24T00:00:00+00:00

9

Acollective groan rippled from the kitchen as I descended the staircase at The Olde Jolly Hall, fresh from my exploration of the attic. The sound, like a chorus of exasperation, had a familiar ring to it. I paused on the final step, straining to listen. Sure enough, Gilbert’s unmistakable voice rang out, high-pitched and brimming with theatrical frustration.

“Absolutely not! This is not a gala, this is a wedding! Do you hear me, Marcus? A wedding! One does not serve vol-au-vents at such an occasion without an accompanying note of whimsy!”

I bit back a laugh and hurried into the dining room, where Paula stood near the sideboard, shaking her head in amusement. She turned toward me as I approached, her expression somewhere between sympathy and disbelief. “Gilbert’s back,” she said simply, gesturing toward the open doorway leading to the kitchen.

“What’s he upset about this time?” I asked, trying to suppress a grin.

“Apparently, the canapés lack ‘soul,’” Paula replied dryly. “The kitchen staff are ready to revolt.”

Another wail of indignation echoed through the hall. “And don’t think I didn’t notice that someone skimped on the truffle oil! Skimped! As if I wouldn’t taste the difference!”

“I think he’s adding some flavour of his own,” I quipped, earning a chuckle from Paula.

Just then, Gilbert swept into the room, his scarf fluttering behind him like a superhero’s cape. His expression was one of sheer exasperation, clipboard clutched tightly in his hand. “Holly!” he exclaimed, spotting me instantly. “Finally, a bride who understands the importance of culinary excellence. Perhaps you can talk some sense into these—these try-hards!”

Paula arched an eyebrow. “Try-hards?”

“Yes, try-hards,” Gilbert said, waving his clipboard dramatically. “It’s an A for effort, but a C- for achievement, I’m afraid. Do you know what they’ve done? They’ve replaced the crab cakes with... wait for it... mini fish pies. Fish pies! Are we hosting a village fair?”

“Gilbert,” I began, trying to keep my tone gentle, “I’m sure whatever they’re making will be delicious. The kitchen team is amazing.”

“They’re adequate as long as I supervise them very closely,” Gilbert huffed. “But adequate isn’t enough for this wedding. Holly, darling, we must rise above adequacy. We must dazzle.”

“Then perhaps you should dazzle the kitchen staff with some gratitude,” Paula interjected smoothly. “They’ve been working nonstop to meet your endless demands.”

Gilbert placed a hand over his heart, feigning injury. “My demands are not endless, Paula. They are precise. There’s a difference.”

“Sure there is,” Paula muttered under her breath.

I stifled a laugh and placed a reassuring hand on Gilbert’s arm. “How about you let them work their magic for now? I’m sure the menu will be perfect.”

Gilbert sighed dramatically, his shoulders slumping. “Fine. I’ll give them another chance. But if I find so much as a hair out of place on those petits fours, I may as well just hang up my apron for good because my name will be…”

“They’ll be flawless,” Paula said firmly, steering him back toward the kitchen. “And so will you, if you stop hovering.”

As Gilbert disappeared into the kitchen, Paula turned back to me with a rueful smile.

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