The Mysterious Case of the Mayflower Dame

Chapter 2: Playing with Fire (Part III)

Focusing on the road, it appears that we are headed towards the elliptical road that would lead us to one of the food districts of Hampshire. Most people call it the old yonder due to the few centuries of rich food and culture present in that place from then up to now. You will notice some people wearing old English clothes apart from the casual wear of the soldiers and their fancy top hats.

   Celebrations are held continuously to attract tourists from neighboring places such as Leningrad, Ireland and Berlin. Even though the effects of the war are still evident all over the region, it seems to me that those wounds have already healed amidst the caustic tragedy that emerged here.

  Based on what I’ve heard, this place became one of the few concentration camps that were established in Hampshire. You could say that its reputation is one of a kind apart from the food that they are best known for. Making a sharp turn towards Basil Avenue, the entire road is glittering because of the lights that are present on the lamp posts – it is just past seven no wonder they already turned on the lights. I guess the weather is a bit damp as if it is going to rain any moment. People are busy going in and out of stores to buy different kinds of merchandise and food.

“We are almost there.” She said smiling with excitement. I wonder what’s going on inside that noggin of hers. She seems to have changed her mood from being a professional to a child in just a matter of minutes. I mean her tone was signifying anger a while ago but now it took a 180 degree turn.

“Where are we headed?” I asked.

“I’ve reserved ourselves seats on one of my favorite restaurants here. I haven’t been to Hampshire for a year now but the food here always pulls me back into it.”

“Let’s see if that is true.”

“See it for yourself!  Also, I want you and Cecil to clear something up for me.” She is still vengeful after all…

  After a few minutes of driving, we arrived at our destination. Appearance-wise, it is a nook with a large backyard covered in fences with vines crawling. A faint glimpse tells me that the chairs and tables are located on that area and the guests are met at the very house that we are headed for.

  The crunching grass tells me that this place has been dry for quite some time, the scent of it is partially faint with the aroma of nutmeg and cumin powder stagnant in the air. Going inside the premises, I took my coat off and went to the counter along with them.

  As expected people are in dire need of her autograph and some pictures were even taken interestingly. Being escorted to our respective chairs the first thing that I could think of is that I should be the one to pay the bill, good thing I brought my wallet with me for this occasion.

“You don’t have to mind paying for this John,” Eleanor said to me crossing her arms while raising an eyebrow.

“Oh come on.” Why can’t I be given the chance to be a gentleman even for once?

“I know you are a gentleman, but this one is on me.” From that response, what else can I do? The tune the band is playing on the stage literally adds up to the feeling that I have as if they are mocking me with every note on their sheets. It might be of my advantage that there are a few people here with us. I am certain that they know who she is right now but they are too focused on their own business that they would rather wait to finish their wonderful meal before going to our place.

“The menu has been selected prior to our arrival. There’s no need for any list either.” She really got me good, really good.

“Let me guess, even the beverage and music that the band would play has been laid out well by you.”

“How on earth did you know that?” I was joking about that but indeed she took it to extremes.

“I was just guessing. But seriously you really did that?”

“Yes, I see to it that everything is perfectly planned.”

Fifteen minutes have I waited for the meal to come but no luck since then. These two are still busy talking about the performances and appearances that she did to various countries including the one that she had this morning and for this evening’s venture. She has been busy for some time now, no wonder she is excited to have this meal. I think being a star can have its pro’s and con’s depending on how you see it. Radical interpretation on how life works especially in such an industry can sometimes do you harm than good.

“How have you been all these years John?” Eleanor asked, fixing her table napkin. She appears to be folding it like a paper crane before placing it beside her utensils.

“You really are persistent are you?” I’d rather not talk about how I’ve been.

“We haven’t seen each other for quite a long time and this is how you greet me?” She’s making that pouting face in front of me, looks like I’m the only one who’s changed between the two of us.

“I’d rather not talk about my personal life...”

“I know you wouldn’t. That’s where Cecil enters the scene right?” Her smile suddenly got scary. She’s looking at the two of us like we’re murderers.

“Come on! I was just teasing you, I don’t have what it takes to steal your man Lea.”

Eleanor was startled. “What are you saying in front of him?!”

Her manager went close to Eleanor and nudged her using her elbow. “He probably has someone special apart from you that’s why he doesn’t want to spill the beans.”

“Is this true John?” Her tone implies that I should be interrogated further on this account.

“No, I haven’t met anyone in years. I’m too indulged with my line of work.” Actually I’ve been hooked up with several blind dates that went horribly wrong beyond my expectations. That’s the time when I realized that I had no interest in romance up until I fix myself.

“If that’s so, then how old are you Mr. Simons?” This manager knows my full name.

Eleanor intervened, “He is a year older than me. Up to now, he doesn’t celebrate his birthday and would rather go fishing if not practice target shooting with his father’s old pistol.” She knows me very well, I find it tenacious and dangerous at the same time.

“When is his birthday?” Her manager is trying to constantly push my buttons regarding my personal space.

“If I’m correct, it’s on the mid of December right?”

“That… Is correct.” I replied to her with my ego slightly on one side.

“You know what let us talk about you instead,” I said to them, with my senses telling me to change the topic.

“What do you have in mind?” A quick response coming from her.

“Where have you been all these years?” That’s an awfully generic question but I’d still push my luck.

“Dear if you’ve been paying attention to the newspapers and radio, I’m sure you’d know.” Her manager responded, from that line of statement. She does make solid facts. Sadly, the only thing I’ve ever listened to on the radio would be music, and for the newspapers, a quick glance at the obituaries and business section.

“Shhh! He’s not the type of person who would do such.” Eleanor is trying her best to console me.

“Waaait a minute Lea! Why are you answering for him?”

“I’ve known him for a long time! Of course, I would know better than you.”

“Let’s settle down have some tea shall we. Things will eventually go out of hand if we continued.” I don’t want other people to pry on my personal life any further. Eleanor on the other hand cannot stop herself from telling a lot of things to her manager.

  Our meals arrived on the table with such haste and style. The waiters are moving in unison as they served us some wine and filled our plates with appetizers. Looking at what we have, there are at least four varieties of dishes in front of us, a mixture of Indian and western cuisine with the wonderful allure of herbs and spices.

First on the list is this bowl of chicken curry, topped with freshly boiled potatoes and carrots. The thickness of the sauce tells me that the broth has been mixed with cream and the butter adds up to the aroma. Next we have garlic pesto, topped with shrimp and paired with some bottled condiments of parmesan cheese and olive oil. This one had the garlic partially cooked in butter, but not entirely fried before mixing it with the olives and basil, grinding it all together to produce the sauce.

  For the third dish, it’s a stuffed goose or duck I think. I’m certain that it isn’t chicken because of the size and the structure of the legs. What caught my attention here would be the stuffing that they put. I can see some sliced onion rings, mashed potatoes with corn, and some meat. The way they presented this dish is indeed weird but from the smell, it blends in quite well. What’s left I guess is to taste it and see how it goes with the other delicacies. 

  Lastly, we have a Spanish dish called Paella. It is rice, cooked in tomato sauce and a mixture of peppers to bring out the flavor. Topped with the most exquisite set of seafood, each piece has been prepared to perfection to the point that even at a certain distance I can smell the spicy nature of it. This one has fewer vegetables compared to the other dishes, but it is safe to say that the duck can be best paired with the rice. The variations that you can do with this one are endless beyond my comprehension.

“Are you done inspecting officer?” Cecil said as the both of them are staring at me in curiosity.

“Don’t look at him like that!” Eleanor is trying to block Cecil’s sight using her right hand.

“You seem to be intrigued with the food John?” Eleanor is trying to talk to me while wrestling with her manager. It appears that both of them are indeed quite close.

“Let’s enjoy the meal shall we? I’m quite excited and famished.” I believe the moment is ripe to dig in.

  Eleanor served us equal portions of the meal except for Cecil. It was established that her appetite far surpasses even mine and almost had me smirk due to the nature of how she eats, considering the situation back at the station it really had me wondering. Each of us had been given separate small plates and utensils for the deserts, later on, I was told that we will have a chocolate mousse ready once we are done with the main course.    

(To Be Continued)