Chapter 42
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Miss Clara, one of The Sweet and Savory Table’s regulars, patted her arm when Yvonne stopped to check on her. “The food really is lovely, dear. I think it’s a wonderful idea to introduce new foods. I never would have thought to put fried eggs on top of ham and cheese. It tastes delicious.”
“I’m so glad you like it, Miss Clara.” Yvonne smiled at the kind old lady and checked the menu:
Healthy Heart Attack (Ham and cheese sandwich with tomato, cucumber, coleslaw and hard-boiled egg served on a small baguette)
Speculaas/Spiced biscuits (cookies made with brown sugar and a spice mix (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, and pepper)
Frisian Sugar Bread (2 slices of soft white bread with crunchy sugar candy)
Bossche Balls (supersized profiterole, dunked in glossy dark chocolate)
Banquet Bar (Dutch Flaky Pastry Log with Almond Paste)
Hazelinos (Dutch Hazelnut Meringue Cream Cake)
“Can I get you some dessert?”
“What do you recommend dear? I’ve already eaten a lot.” Miss Clara patted her stomach.
“I think you should try the speculaas. They’re spiced cookies, and you can always take home any you don’t want to eat here.” Yvonne pointed at the menu.
“That sounds perfect.” Miss Clara gave another affectionate pat on Yvonne’s arm.
“I’ll bring them right out.”
Yvonne continued circulating around the room, thrilled with the reactions people had to the Dutch menu.
Miss Clara wasn’t the only one enjoying the new tastes.
Yvonne received multiple compliments. At the end of the day, Sonja surprised her by pulling her into a big hug.
“This was a brilliant idea, Yvonne. Thank you so much.”
“I’m happy to help out. I was feeling a little bit homesick when I suggested it. I’m glad it’s worked out so well. Maybe after I get my immigration status straightened out, I can do more for you.”
“Honey, you have a job here any time you want it, once you can legally work. I know we shouldn’t have been using you like we have, but you’re a breath of fresh air, and you have a real feeling for service and what people will like.” Sonja let go of Yvonne.
“Thank you. It’s so nice to be appreciated, but I have to go now.”
“Wait, Yvonne!” Suzie called out. “We wanted to let you know we’d like to throw the wedding reception for you here as our present to you and Chris. Since you said it was going to be small, I thought it might work, or if you’d like to do it elsewhere, we can cater it.”
“That’s so sweet of you both.” Yvonne swallowed hard and blinked rapidly. These two! “It’s going to be very small. Less than twenty people, I think. But we wanted both of you to be guests, not working.”
“That’s the beauty of having it here at the café. We only need to pop back in the kitchen occasionally. And we would really like to do it for you,” Suzie said.
“I’ll have to check with Chris and Kate, but I think the answer will be yes. You both have been so wonderful to me. Thank you so much.” She gave both women a hug and rushed out before one of them spotted the tears brimming in her eyes.