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Violet stepped into the dining room to find Esther and Griselda in a deep discussion. A silver tray with all the fixings for tea sat on the table between them, along with a tiered stand of various sorts of sweets. She stood in the doorway, feeling a bit awkward. She did not want them to think she was eavesdropping and turned to leave. Esther spotted her before she had a chance to walk away. “Violet, come in. You’ve got to try these (gnome) cakes. Nodrik said they are a tradition around the holidays.”
“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” said Violet, inching her way back to the door.
“Nonsense,” said Griselda. “Come and have some tea.”
Violet relaxed and pulled out a chair across from them. Esther slid the tea service over to her, while Griselda prepared a plate of cakes. “How i
