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you,” said Theodosia. “And please don’t call me boss.”
    Haley cocked her head. “Why not?”
    â€œBecause we’re all in this together.”
    â€œYou think?”
    Theodosia chuckled. “I’ve always looked at it that way. Besides, I don’t want to be that one lonely soldier who’s always walking point.” She scanned the card quickly. “Haley, this is just super.” In her cramped, left-canted printing, Haley had listed sausage and gnocchi soup, chicken and wild rice salad, prosciutto and fig tea sandwiches, apple and Cheddar cheese scones, and chocolate cupcakes.
    â€œI just hope our customers like everything,” said Haley.
    â€œAre you kidding? They’ll love it.”
    â€¢ • •
    And love it they did. Theodosia served bowls of soup until the pot was empty. Then she tried to steer customers to the salads. When those started to dwindle, she had Haley whip up extra prosciutto and fig sandwiches.
    â€œAnother success,” said Drayton. He was lounging against the counter, his eyes focused on the busy café even as he sipped a cup of Darjeeling.
    â€œDon’t get too relaxed,” Theodosia told him. “This is going to be a long slog of a weekend. Remember, we’re going to be open on Sunday, too.”
    â€œHow could I forget?” said Drayton, smiling. “Our
Titanic
Tea.”
    â€œA night to remember,” said Haley as she dashed out to deliver a plate of fresh apple and Cheddar scones. “Just like the title of that old black-and-white
Titanic
disaster movie.”
    â€œAnd to think the
Titanic
Tea was all Drayton’s grand idea,” said Theodosia. “We could have gotten off easy by hanging up ghost and goblin decorations, but no, he wanted to go all out.” Halloween would be arriving in a few days’ time, and this Sunday’s
Titanic
Tea was Drayton’s clever
homage
to that quasi-holiday. No witches, ghosts, or goblins for him, just the grand, haunting memory of the
Titanic
tragedy.
    â€œI think our guests will enjoy a Halloween tea without benefit of the same old ghoulies, don’t you think?” said Drayton.
    â€œI have to admit, I was nervous about the idea at first,” said Theodosia. “But now that we’re completely sold out, I take my hat off to you. It’s a grand idea.”
    â€œWait until you see the décor I’ve got planned,” said Drayton. “It’s going to blow your socks off.”
    â€œI even did research on some of the menus that the White Star Lines featured,” said Haley. “So we’ll be serving some of those actual dishes.”
    â€œYou two,” said Theodosia, shaking her head. When Drayton and Haley sunk their teeth into a new themed tea, it was like dealing with a couple of rabid jackals.
    â€œBut we’re gonna decorate with a few ghoulies later on,” said Haley. “After all, it is Halloween.” She gave a little shiver. “One of my very favorite holidays.”
    â€œWhy is that?” said Drayton. “Why do women go into an absolute swoon over Halloween?”
    â€œI think it’s because we get to wear a costume,” said Theodosia. “For one crazy night, we can let ourselves be anybody or anything we want.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” said Haley. “Wicked witch costumes, fairy princesses, crazy ladies with ripped bodices . . .”
    â€œSo I suppose you two plan to be appropriately attired for our Tower of London Tea, as well?” said Drayton. This particular tea had been Theodosia’s idea. A semi-spooky, British-themed tea to be held at lunch on Halloween day.
    â€œAre you kidding?” said Haley. “I’ve got my Anne Boleyn costume ready and rarin’ to go.” She grinned at Drayton. “Who are you going to be?” she asked. “King Henry VIII?”
    â€œGood heavens, no,” said Drayton.
    â€œThen