Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Woman Who Had the Original Book
Ronan was: The Woman Who Had the Original Book
Ronan was halfway to the dining room doors when Edwin called halfway to the dining room doors when Edwin called his name.
“Sit down.””
Ronan stopped.
his name.
“Sit down.””
Ronan stopped.
For a moment, I thought he might ignore his father. His shoulders were rigidFor a moment, I thought he might ignore his father. His shoulders were rigid, and his hands were clenched so tightly that the tendons stood out beneath his skin, and his hands were clenched so tightly that the tendons stood out beneath his skin.
Then he turned around.
“Dad, I can explain everything.””
“Then.
Then he turned around.
“Dad, I can explain everything.””
“Then explain it.””
Ronan glanced at the guests.
“Not here.””
Edwin placed Lydia Shaw's note on the table.
“You were happy to discuss Esme explain it.””
Ronan glanced at the guests.
“Not here.””
Edwin placed Lydia Shaw's note on the table.
“You were happy to discuss Esme's alleged misconduct in front of everyone. You were happy to tell our investors that your mother had found's alleged misconduct in front of everyone. You were happy to tell our investors that your mother had found evidence against her.
You were happy to accuse your former wife of stealing money evidence against her. You were happy to accuse your former wife of stealing money.””
He tapped the note.
“So explain this in front of the same people.””
Be.””
He tapped the note.
“So explain this in front of the same people.””
Beatrix lowered herself into her chair.
“I think we should all calm down,” she said.
“It'satrix lowered herself into her chair.
“I think we should all calm down,” she said.
“It's been a difficult evening, and Lydia has always been a little careless with paperwork.””
Peter been a difficult evening, and Lydia has always been a little careless with paperwork.””
Peter Lang closed his briefcase completely.
“Mrs. Whitmore, a missing original record Lang closed his briefcase completely.
“Mrs. Whitmore, a missing original record, disputed signatures, and unexplained financial transfers are not matters we can dismiss as, disputed signatures, and unexplained financial transfers are not matters we can dismiss as carelessness.””
Beatrix turned toward him.
“But the restaurant is profitable.””
“Is it?””
The question silenced her.
Peter carelessness.””
Beatrix turned toward him.
“But the restaurant is profitable.””
“Is it?””
The question silenced her.
Peter looked at Ronan.
“We requested audited accounts before tonight. Your office supplied management summaries, but several supporting documents were outstanding looked at Ronan.
“We requested audited accounts before tonight. Your office supplied management summaries, but several supporting documents were outstanding. You assured us that the original records would be available after the investment agreement was signed.””
Ronan swallowed.
“They. You assured us that the original records would be available after the investment agreement was signed.””
Ronan swallowed.
“They will be.””
“Where are they?””
“I'll retrieve them.””
“From Lydia?””
will be.””
“Where are they?””
“I'll retrieve them.””
“From Lydia?””
Ronan's mouth tightened.
Peter stood.
“Until these matters are resolved, we will not proceedRonan's mouth tightened.
Peter stood.
“Until these matters are resolved, we will not proceed with the transaction.””
A chair scraped against the floor.
One of the older guests, with the transaction.””
A chair scraped against the floor.
One of the older guests, a supplier I remembered from my early days at the restaurant, looked down a supplier I remembered from my early days at the restaurant, looked down at his plate. Another quietly checked his phone.
The atmosphere had changed. This at his plate. Another quietly checked his phone.
The atmosphere had changed. This was no longer a family dinner with an awkward disagreement.
It was a business meeting in which the person was no longer a family dinner with an awkward disagreement.
It was a business meeting in which the person asking for money had lost control of the room.
Edwin turned to me.
“Esme, I owe you an apology.””
asking for money had lost control of the room.
Edwin turned to me.
“Esme, I owe you an apology.””
I wasn't prepared for that.
He looked at the guests before continuing.
“For years, I watched youI wasn't prepared for that.
He looked at the guests before continuing.
“For years, I watched you work at family gatherings. I knew you were capable, but I never asked what you were giving up to work at family gatherings. I knew you were capable, but I never asked what you were giving up to make everyone else's lives easier.
When Ronan told me you had taken money from the restaurant, I allowed myself make everyone else's lives easier. When Ronan told me you had taken money from the restaurant, I allowed myself to believe him before asking for evidence.””
He paused.
“That was wrong.””
I to believe him before asking for evidence.””
He paused.
“That was wrong.””
I looked at the man who had spent ten years sitting at tables I had served.
“Thank you for saying that.””
“I looked at the man who had spent ten years sitting at tables I had served.
“Thank you for saying that.””
“I should have said it years ago.””
“Yes,” I replied.
“You should have.””
His eyes dropped.
Across should have said it years ago.””
“Yes,” I replied.
“You should have.””
His eyes dropped.
Across the table, Beatrix made a small, disapproving noise.
“Oh, for heaven's sake, the table, Beatrix made a small, disapproving noise.
“Oh, for heaven's sake, Edwin. You are making this sound as if we've abused the girl.””
The Edwin. You are making this sound as if we've abused the girl.””
The room went still.
I watched Edwin turn toward his wife.
“The girl?””
Beatrix room went still.
I watched Edwin turn toward his wife.
“The girl?””
Beatrix lifted her chin.
“She has always been sensitive. We gave her a place in our family, lifted her chin.
“She has always been sensitive. We gave her a place in our family, and now she's trying to destroy our son because their marriage didn't work out.””
I could and now she's trying to destroy our son because their marriage didn't work out.””
I could feel the old instinct rising inside me.
The instinct to explain. To defend myself. To make my voice gentle feel the old instinct rising inside me.
The instinct to explain. To defend myself. To make my voice gentle enough that Beatrix couldn't accuse me of being difficult.
I let the instinct pass.
“Beatrix,” I said enough that Beatrix couldn't accuse me of being difficult.
I let the instinct pass.
“Beatrix,” I said, “you ordered me to cook for this dinner at five in the morning. You told me to buy the ingredients with, “you ordered me to cook for this dinner at five in the morning. You told me to buy the ingredients with my own money. When I refused, you threatened to involve my parents.””
She opened her mouth.
“You did my own money. When I refused, you threatened to involve my parents.””
She opened her mouth.
“You did.””
“You have always helped with family events.””
“When.””
“You have always helped with family events.””
“When I was married to Ronan. Our marriage ended a month ago.””
“You can't just abandon I was married to Ronan. Our marriage ended a month ago.””
“You can't just abandon your responsibilities!””
“What responsibilities? I'm not your employee. I'm not your daughter-in-law. And your responsibilities!””
“What responsibilities? I'm not your employee. I'm not your daughter-in-law. And I'm not responsible for the restaurant's finances.””
Beatrix's fingers tightened around her napkin.
“You I'm not responsible for the restaurant's finances.””
Beatrix's fingers tightened around her napkin.
“You owe us for everything we've done for you.””
I looked at the table.
The crystal glasses owe us for everything we've done for you.””
I looked at the table.
The crystal glasses. The expensive flowers. The food prepared by a kitchen team that had been shouted at all afternoon.
Then. The expensive flowers. The food prepared by a kitchen team that had been shouted at all afternoon.
Then I looked at her.
“No. You owe me for the work you took from me and the years I looked at her.
“No. You owe me for the work you took from me and the years you spent convincing me it was a privilege.””
She went silent.
R you spent convincing me it was a privilege.””
She went silent.
Ronan seized the moment.
“This is exactly what she's been doing since theonan seized the moment.
“This is exactly what she's been doing since the divorce. Rewriting history to make herself look like a victim.””
I turned toward him.
“Then let's divorce. Rewriting history to make herself look like a victim.””
I turned toward him.
“Then let's stop arguing about memories and examine the documents.””
Peter nodded.
“That stop arguing about memories and examine the documents.””
Peter nodded.
“That would be the sensible course.””
Ronan's face darkened.
“Peter, you cannot would be the sensible course.””
Ronan's face darkened.
“Peter, you cannot be serious about suspending the deal over a recipe book.””
“We are suspending the deal be serious about suspending the deal over a recipe book.””
“We are suspending the deal because the documentation supporting the company's financial and intellectual property claims is in question.””
“The recipes belong because the documentation supporting the company's financial and intellectual property claims is in question.””
“The recipes belong to the restaurant.””
“Then you should have no difficulty producing the assignment agreements to the restaurant.””
“Then you should have no difficulty producing the assignment agreements.””
Ronan looked away.
I remembered the first version of my rosemary lamb dish.””
Ronan looked away.
I remembered the first version of my rosemary lamb dish, written in my own handwriting on a sheet of paper stained with olive oil. I had developed it in the, written in my own handwriting on a sheet of paper stained with olive oil. I had developed it in the tiny kitchen of our first apartment, before Whitmore House even existed.
I remembered the late nights adjusting the sauce.
tiny kitchen of our first apartment, before Whitmore House even existed.
I remembered the late nights adjusting the sauce.
The failed attempts.
The moment I finally tasted the finished dishThe failed attempts.
The moment I finally tasted the finished dish and knew it was right.
Ronan had eaten it at our kitchen table and told me it was extraordinary.
Then he had and knew it was right.
Ronan had eaten it at our kitchen table and told me it was extraordinary.
Then he had said, “We could build a restaurant around food like this.””
I had believed him.
Now said, “We could build a restaurant around food like this.””
I had believed him.
Now, years later, he was claiming that the recipe had always belonged to him.
Edwin's solicitor,, years later, he was claiming that the recipe had always belonged to him.
Edwin's solicitor, Caroline Mercer, gathered the disputed documents into a folder.
“I recommend that no one remove, destroy, or alter any Caroline Mercer, gathered the disputed documents into a folder.
“I recommend that no one remove, destroy, or alter any further records. We will arrange for the documents to be reviewed independently.””
Ronan stared at her.
“You further records. We will arrange for the documents to be reviewed independently.””
Ronan stared at her.
“You're treating me like a criminal.””
“I'm treating disputed evidence as disputed evidence.””
Beatrix pushed're treating me like a criminal.””
“I'm treating disputed evidence as disputed evidence.””
Beatrix pushed back her chair.
“This is unbearable. Edwin, tell them to leave.””
Ed back her chair.
“This is unbearable. Edwin, tell them to leave.””
Edwin looked exhausted.
“It's my birthday, Beatrix. For once, I would like everyone to stop tellingwin looked exhausted.
“It's my birthday, Beatrix. For once, I would like everyone to stop telling me what I must do.””
She sat down again.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Then Peter addressed me what I must do.””
She sat down again.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Then Peter addressed Edwin.
“Mr. Whitmore, I suggest we postpone the remaining discussion until the financial records have been Edwin.
“Mr. Whitmore, I suggest we postpone the remaining discussion until the financial records have been verified. We will contact your solicitor regarding the next steps.””
Edwin nodded.
“I agree.””
Peter shook verified. We will contact your solicitor regarding the next steps.””
Edwin nodded.
“I agree.””
Peter shook his hand, then turned to me.
“Ms. Whitmore, if you have independent records establishing his hand, then turned to me.
“Ms. Whitmore, if you have independent records establishing your work, please preserve them. Our legal team may request them through the proper channels.””
“I your work, please preserve them. Our legal team may request them through the proper channels.””
“I will.””
He left with his colleague.
Several guests followed soon afterward, offering will.””
He left with his colleague.
Several guests followed soon afterward, offering Edwin brief birthday wishes before slipping out into the rainy evening.
Within Edwin brief birthday wishes before slipping out into the rainy evening.
Within fifteen minutes, half the dining room was empty.
Beatrix stared at the abandoned plates.
“My birthday dinner,” she whispered fifteen minutes, half the dining room was empty.
Beatrix stared at the abandoned plates.
“My birthday dinner,” she whispered.
“You've ruined his birthday dinner.””
I looked at the untouched walnut cake waiting on a sideboard.
For.
“You've ruined his birthday dinner.””
I looked at the untouched walnut cake waiting on a sideboard.
For ten years, I had prepared that cake from scratch. I toasted the walnuts, browned the butter, and adjusted the sugar until Edwin ten years, I had prepared that cake from scratch. I toasted the walnuts, browned the butter, and adjusted the sugar until Edwin said it tasted like the cake his mother had made when he was a boy.
This year, Beatrix had ordered said it tasted like the cake his mother had made when he was a boy.
This year, Beatrix had ordered it from a bakery.
She had told the staff the family it from a bakery.
She had told the staff the family recipe was too complicated for anyone else to make.
I almost felt sorry for her.
Almost recipe was too complicated for anyone else to make.
I almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
Then I remembered the morning phone call.
“Sorry,” I said,.
Then I remembered the morning phone call.
“Sorry,” I said, “who is this?””
Beatrix looked up sharply.
“What?””
“Nothing.””
I picked up my handbag.
Edwin followed “who is this?””
Beatrix looked up sharply.
“What?””
“Nothing.””
I picked up my handbag.
Edwin followed me toward the entrance.
“Esme, please. Before you go, I need me toward the entrance.
“Esme, please. Before you go, I need to ask you something.””
I stopped.
“What is it?””
He glanced toward the private dining room, where to ask you something.””
I stopped.
“What is it?””
He glanced toward the private dining room, where Ronan and Beatrix were arguing in hushed voices.
“Do you remember a woman Ronan and Beatrix were arguing in hushed voices.
“Do you remember a woman named Margaret Ellis?””
I frowned.
“The former bookkeeper?””
He nodded.
Margaret Ellis had worked named Margaret Ellis?””
I frowned.
“The former bookkeeper?””
He nodded.
Margaret Ellis had worked at Whitmore House during the first three years. She was meticulous, quiet, and deeply suspicious of anyone who rounded at Whitmore House during the first three years. She was meticulous, quiet, and deeply suspicious of anyone who rounded numbers without an explanation.
Ronan had dismissed her after an argument over a supplier account.
He claimed she numbers without an explanation.
Ronan had dismissed her after an argument over a supplier account.
He claimed she had made an administrative error.
I remembered Margaret standing in the kitchen doorway on her final had made an administrative error.
I remembered Margaret standing in the kitchen doorway on her final afternoon, holding a cardboard box.
She had looked at me and said, “Keep your own records, afternoon, holding a cardboard box.
She had looked at me and said, “Keep your own records, Esme. One day you'll be glad you did.””
At the time, I thought she was simply bitter Esme. One day you'll be glad you did.””
At the time, I thought she was simply bitter about losing her job.
“Why are you asking about her?”” I said.
Edwin hesitated.
“Because she contacted about losing her job.
“Why are you asking about her?”” I said.
Edwin hesitated.
“Because she contacted me two weeks ago. She said she had discovered something in the restaurant's old accounts and wanted to speak to me privately me two weeks ago. She said she had discovered something in the restaurant's old accounts and wanted to speak to me privately.””
“What did she discover?””
“I don't know. I was travelling, and I.””
“What did she discover?””
“I don't know. I was travelling, and I didn't return her call until last week. By then, her phone number had been disconnected.””
I stared at didn't return her call until last week. By then, her phone number had been disconnected.””
I stared at him.
“Did she leave a message?””
“Yes.””
“What did it say?””
Ed him.
“Did she leave a message?””
“Yes.””
“What did it say?””
Edwin looked toward the door.
“She said that if I wanted to know why the restaurant had never made the money Ronan claimed it madewin looked toward the door.
“She said that if I wanted to know why the restaurant had never made the money Ronan claimed it made, I should find the original recipe book.””
My heart began to pound.
“The book Lydia, I should find the original recipe book.””
My heart began to pound.
“The book Lydia took?””
“I believe so.””
“Then why didn't you tell me earlier?””
“Because I didn't understand the took?””
“I believe so.””
“Then why didn't you tell me earlier?””
“Because I didn't understand the connection.””
He reached into his jacket pocket and produced a folded business card.
“Marg connection.””
He reached into his jacket pocket and produced a folded business card.
“Margaret's solicitor sent this to me after she disappeared from contact. I wasaret's solicitor sent this to me after she disappeared from contact. I was going to call him tomorrow.””
I took the card.
A name and telephone number were printed beneath a small legal firm's going to call him tomorrow.””
I took the card.
A name and telephone number were printed beneath a small legal firm's logo.
On the back, someone had written a date.
Three days earlier.
Edwin's face logo.
On the back, someone had written a date.
Three days earlier.
Edwin's face had grown pale.
“I think we should call him tonight.””
Before I could answer, the dining room doors swung open.
had grown pale.
“I think we should call him tonight.””
Before I could answer, the dining room doors swung open.
Ronan appeared.
His expression had changed from anger to something colder.
“Dad, I need to speakRonan appeared.
His expression had changed from anger to something colder.
“Dad, I need to speak to you.””
Edwin didn't move.
“Not now.””
“It concerns the restaurant.””
“Then speak to you.””
Edwin didn't move.
“Not now.””
“It concerns the restaurant.””
“Then speak to your solicitor.””
Ronan's gaze shifted to the card in my hand.
For one fraction of a second, to your solicitor.””
Ronan's gaze shifted to the card in my hand.
For one fraction of a second, all the color drained from his face.
Then he stepped toward me.
“Where did you get that?””
I all the color drained from his face.
Then he stepped toward me.
“Where did you get that?””
I closed my fingers around the card.
“Why?””
“Give it to me.””
“No.””
His closed my fingers around the card.
“Why?””
“Give it to me.””
“No.””
His jaw tightened.
“You have no idea what you're interfering with.””
“Then explain it.””
He jaw tightened.
“You have no idea what you're interfering with.””
“Then explain it.””
He glanced at Edwin.
“Dad, don't trust her. She has been collecting documents glanced at Edwin.
“Dad, don't trust her. She has been collecting documents for months, trying to build a case against me.””
Edwin's expression hardened.
“Marg for months, trying to build a case against me.””
Edwin's expression hardened.
“Margaret Ellis contacted me before I knew any of this.””
Ronan froze.
Edwin continued.
“She wantedaret Ellis contacted me before I knew any of this.””
Ronan froze.
Edwin continued.
“She wanted to talk about the old accounts. She mentioned the recipe book. What does that have to do with you?””
R to talk about the old accounts. She mentioned the recipe book. What does that have to do with you?””
Ronan looked at the floor.
Then he said, “Nothing.””
It was theonan looked at the floor.
Then he said, “Nothing.””
It was the first time that evening I had heard him answer a question without trying to make somebody else feel first time that evening I had heard him answer a question without trying to make somebody else feel foolish.
And I knew, with a certainty that made my stomach turn, that he was lying.
I stepped foolish.
And I knew, with a certainty that made my stomach turn, that he was lying.
I stepped toward the door.
“I'm calling Margaret's solicitor.””
Ronan's voice followed toward the door.
“I'm calling Margaret's solicitor.””
Ronan's voice followed me.
“If you make that call, you will regret it.””
I turned around.
For ten years, he had me.
“If you make that call, you will regret it.””
I turned around.
For ten years, he had used those words whenever I came close to asking a question he didn't want to answer.
This time, they used those words whenever I came close to asking a question he didn't want to answer.
This time, they had the opposite effect.
“Then I suppose,” I said, “I have nothing left to lose had the opposite effect.
“Then I suppose,” I said, “I have nothing left to lose.””
I walked out into the rain.
And before I reached the pavement, my phone rang.
An.””
I walked out into the rain.
And before I reached the pavement, my phone rang.
An unfamiliar woman spoke when I answered.
“Esme Whitmore?””
“Yes.””
“My unfamiliar woman spoke when I answered.
“Esme Whitmore?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Margaret Ellis. We worked together at Whitmore House.””
I stopped beneath the restaurant's awning.
name is Margaret Ellis. We worked together at Whitmore House.””
I stopped beneath the restaurant's awning.
“I remember you.””
“Good. Then listen carefully. I know where the original recipe book is,“I remember you.””
“Good. Then listen carefully. I know where the original recipe book is, and I know what Ronan has been hiding in it.””
I tightened my grip on the phone and I know what Ronan has been hiding in it.””
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“Where are you?””
“I can't tell you that yet.””
“Why not?””
“Because someone has.
“Where are you?””
“I can't tell you that yet.””
“Why not?””
“Because someone has been following me.””
A car passed slowly along the curb.
Margaret's voice dropped been following me.””
A car passed slowly along the curb.
Margaret's voice dropped to a whisper.
“And Esme, there's something else. The book doesn't to a whisper.
“And Esme, there's something else. The book doesn't just contain your recipes.””
I held my breath.
“What else is in it?””
“Names just contain your recipes.””
I held my breath.
“What else is in it?””
“Names. Payments. And the original agreement that explains why Ronan needed you to sign the.
Payments. And the original agreement that explains why Ronan needed you to sign the divorce papers before the money could be released.””
Then the call disconnected.
I stared at the screen.
divorce papers before the money could be released.””
Then the call disconnected.
I stared at the screen.
Behind me, Whitmore House glowed warmly in the rain, its dining room still filled with theBehind me, Whitmore House glowed warmly in the rain, its dining room still filled with the people who had once believed Ronan's version of my life.
For the first time, I understood that the missing people who had once believed Ronan's version of my life.
For the first time, I understood that the missing recipe book was not merely a collection of dishes.
It was a record of what had happened inside that family recipe book was not merely a collection of dishes.
May you like
It was a record of what had happened inside that family.
And somebody had spent years making sure I never saw it.
