At twelve, Eva put twenty little marks on the seating plan and counted them again.
Nora had confirmed the last four places that morning. The supper was full now, properly full. Eva could be pleased about that without giving up the chair she was sitting in.
Will sat opposite her. Nora was beside him, her arms folded. Nobody made a joke about the tiny table.
“I'll welcome people and lead the serving,” Eva said. “Jo's helping with bread, water and plates. Nora, would you take orders for drinks and check the tables?”
Nora looked at Will. Then back at Eva.
“Yes.”
“You're quicker at that than I am.”
Nora unfolded her arms. “I can keep the glasses here. It leaves the back of the counter clear.”
Eva marked it on the plan.
Nora glanced at the seating plan. “Ben booked our places before I knew I'd be serving. We were going to eat together once the rush was over.”
“That's fine,” Eva said. She left both meals on the list.
Will read through the menu. Tomatoes and bread, chicken with the vegetables he knew he could cook in time, a pudding already prepared in dishes. No flowers. He asked where the small plates would go.
Eva pointed. “There. The tray route stays where Nora put it.”
“Good.”
He was trying for his ordinary voice. She could hear him doing it.
They made a list of the few things still to buy. Nora knew how many clean glasses they had without checking. Eva knew which two guests had asked to sit near the door. Will knew how long the oven needed and what couldn't be put in it together.
For twenty minutes they were useful to one another. It should have been the easiest part of the day.
When Eva finished, Nora put one finger on the edge of the menu.
“I'll do tomorrow on that basis,” she said. “Then I need the answer you promised.”
Will leaned back. “We can speak after service.”
“Before,” Nora said. “I can't keep telling other places I'm not available.”
Eva looked at her. Nora's mouth was set hard. She had brought something to this table besides a desire to be useful.
“Tomorrow, before supper,” Eva said. “Both of us there.”
Will looked down at the plan.
“All right.”
Nora put her copy in her bag. “I'll be here in the morning.”
She went to set the glasses where they'd agreed. Eva pinned the Saturday plan on the wall. Her name was at the top. Below it were the jobs each of them had accepted. Tomorrow they would get the answer, then put this supper on the tables.