Chapter Eight
The lunch rush at The Chowder House was just tapering off when Maggie and Audrey walked through the door. Behind the counter, Ethel Primrose was a whirl of energy, directing her staff and charming her customers in equal measure.
Audrey couldn’t help but wonder if there had even been a lunch rush today, given the circumstances. She had been noticing a considerable decline in business during her shifts ever since Chips Hogan keeled over after eating a bowl of the restaurant’s signature clam chowder.
Maggie made her way to the counter and caught Ethel’s attention with a wave. Ethel’s face lit up as she walked over.
“Maggie! Just in time for my lunch special. I think I have a few orders left,” she said, her voice bright. She then noticed Audrey hovering behind her grandmother. “Audrey, what on earth are you doing here on your day off?”
“Would you believe me if I said I just miss you?” Audrey asked with a sly smile.
“Although that’s a perfectly reasonable answer, dear, I’d have to say no, I don’t believe you.”
Maggie leaned in slightly. “Ethel, we need to talk. Privately.”
Ethel’s eyebrows shot up, but she nodded. “Follow me.” She led them to a small booth in the back corner of the restaurant, away from the prying ears of the lunch crowd.
As soon as they sat, Maggie didn’t waste any time. “We’ve heard some rumors, Ethel. About a supposed … love triangle involving you, Chips Hogan, and Waldo Duggan.”
Ethel’s jaw dropped. Before she could respond, there was a loud crash from across the room.
All three women turned to see Isabella standing in the middle of the dining area, a shattered plate of fried haddock and onion rings and coleslaw at her feet.
Isabella’s face was a mix of embarrassment and shock.
“Isabella!” Ethel called, her tone both amused and exasperated. “What on earth are you doing?”
“Sorry! I just overheard what you were talking about and—” Isabella stammered, quickly grabbing a rag and starting to clean up.
“Well, let’s not share what you heard all over town, okay, Isabella?” Ethel said sharply.
Isabella continued picking up bits of food as Jimmy the busboy raced over with a mop and bucket. “Of course not, Ethel, it’s just … I mean … who knew …?”
Ethel rolled her eyes. “Go on, say it.”
“Who knew you were such a seductress!” Isabella blurted out, cackling.
Ethel shook her head and turned back to Maggie and Audrey. “Good grief. And I thought it was obvious to everyone. I mean, look at me.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm, but her eyes twinkled. “So, what exactly are people saying?”
Audrey leaned forward. “That you were romantically involved with both Chips and Waldo.”
Ethel snorted. “Oh, please. Let me set the record straight. Waldo did hang around here from time to time, trying to get my attention, but I never encouraged him. As for Chips, I had no idea he was interested in me until he asked me out once.”
Maggie folded her hands and set them down on the table. “When was that, Ethel?”
Ethel thought about it. “Let’s see. Maybe six, seven months ago. I said no, and that was that.” She shrugged. “I have no idea how the rumor started, and I doubt Waldo even knew Chips tried to date me, so I can’t imagine that’s why Waldo put the poison in the chowder.”
“Allegedly,” Audrey reminded her.
“Oh, come now, dear, everyone knows it was Waldo. According to your mother, they’ve got him dead to rights.”
Maggie tilted her head. “So truthfully, Ethel, you had no romantic interest in either of them, Chips or Waldo?”
Ethel leaned in conspiratorially. “Let me tell you something, Maggie. I have zero interest in doddering older men with wrinkled skin and sagging butts. Never been my thing.”
Audrey coughed to hide a laugh, while Maggie’s lips twitched. Ethel grinned at their reactions. “No offense, Mags, but I like the young bucks. So full of youth and vigor.”
Maggie couldn’t help herself. “How young?”
Ethel’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Well, not to make you uncomfortable, but your son Sandy is quite a looker. Fine young man. Good head on his shoulders. And with abs to boot.”
“He’s twenty-six!” Maggie exclaimed.
Ethel nodded appreciatively. “Exactly. Young enough to be virile, old enough to know what they’re doing.”
Audrey burst out laughing. “He is single,” she teased.
Maggie cut in quickly. “Well, to be frank, I’m sure he’s more interested in girls closer to his own age, Ethel.”
Audrey held her tongue, choosing not to share her suspicion that Uncle Sandy might not be interested in girls at all. It wasn’t her place to out him, especially to her grandmother.
Ethel chuckled at Maggie’s flustered expression. “Now don’t worry, Mags. I promise I won’t make a move on him. He was just an example. Truth is, I’ve got my eye on someone else.”
Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Ethel leaned back in her seat with a satisfied smile. “The new manager at the grocery store. Carey Birch’s youngest boy.”
“The twenty-five-year-old?” Maggie gasped.
“That’s the one!” Ethel said, her grin widening. “He winked at me when he ran my Lotto ticket through the machine to see if I won anything. There was definitely chemistry between us. It was obvious to everyone. I just hope he’s not allergic to cats. That would be a deal breaker.”
Maggie stared at her, speechless. “I didn’t think anything could surprise me at this point in my life. Points for you, Ethel.”
Audrey, still laughing, added, “Maybe consider Peter Birch’s personality before you move forward on that prospect.”
“Why? What’s wrong with his personality?” Ethel asked.
“I don’t think he has one,” Audrey cracked.
Before Ethel could respond, Clyde Peterson walked up to the counter where Isabella was ringing him up. “For the record,” Clyde said, loudly enough for them to hear, “I’m single and available.”
Ethel turned in her seat. “How old are you, Clyde?”
“Thirty-six,” he replied, puffing out his chest.
Ethel shook her head. “Ancient.”
Clyde’s face fell. “I’m a young thirty-six,” he protested.
Ethel waved a hand dismissively. “Sorry, Clyde. I prefer a man who is not on trial for aggravated assault.”
Clyde chuckled as he grabbed his change and sauntered out the door.
Once he was gone, Ethel’s tone grew serious. “Chips and Waldo definitely had a contentious relationship. Chips loved to tease Waldo, always putting him down for something.” She sighed. “The sooner Waldo goes to trial and gets convicted, the sooner things can get back to normal around here.”
Maggie shook her head gently. “I’m just not convinced Waldo poisoned the chowder, Ethel.”
Ethel’s expression turned worried. “If he didn’t, then what does that mean for my restaurant?
People already think The Chowder House is cursed.
If we don’t figure this out, nobody will ever trust my food again.
” Her voice cracked slightly as she added, “Maggie, please. Help me restore The Chowder House’s good name. ”