Sugar and Iced (Cupcake Bakery Mystery)
Page 24
“Your cousin is being very kind,” Tina said. “Please tell her that I appreciate it.”
“I will,” I said. “It must be hard to watch Dotty struggle with her memory.”
“Honestly, she’s been like this since her husband left her thirty years ago. Her reality is different than everyone else’s and as my husband explained it to me, it is just better if we go along with her.”
“Thirty years ago?” I asked. “I’m sorry, but did I understand that she wants the wing of a hospital named after him?”
“Yes, well,” Tina lowered her voice. “They never divorced. He lived in Tuscany with his mistress until he died a month ago. She always told everyone that he was away on business, and I think she managed to convince herself that was the truth. One does wonder though . . .”
“What?” I asked.
“If that’s why she is slightly addled,” Tina said. “She never got over him leaving her.”
A driver was outside waiting for them, and Viv and I waved as they drove away.
Harrison came out from the back room. “The books are done for this week and I’m pleased to announce you’re still in business. How did it go with the Mmes. Grisby?”
“They want a tea party a la Alice in Wonderland,” Viv said. “It’ll be tight, but I think I can get it done.”
Harrison made a face.
“What? I think it will be great fun,” I said.
“You would,” he retorted. I was pretty sure this was an insult, but I didn’t press it.
“What about you, Viv?” Harrison asked. “How do you feel about it?”
She was quiet for a moment, staring out the window as if contemplating something. When she turned around, she gave us a wicked smile.
“If it’s a Mad Hatter that they want, then it’s a Mad Hatter that they’ll get,” she declared.
I exchanged an alarmed glance with Harrison. Between Mrs. Grisby’s dottiness and Viv’s Cheshire Cat grin, I was beginning to feel as nonplussed as Alice when she fell down the rabbit hole. Oh, dear.