Chapter 69

In the last days, I’d been so busy with work, cooped up in the kitchen, that I’d almost forgotten it was Christmas in three days. Without Olivier and Tom to help, it would be a challenge getting those plates out on time on Christmas Eve. I’d have to run a tight ship that night.

“Hey, if isn’t Nicolai Lund himself,” a woman said in a booming voice, somewhere behind me. “How have you been, Chef?”

I turned to see Loretta waving me over. She stood behind her usual cheese stand, wearing a huge fur coat and reindeer ears. People joked that she’d come with the market back when it had opened during the Great Depression. She was a fixture around here, and I always enjoyed our quick banter. I made my way to her spot. “I’m good. How are you?”

“Oh, I’m just fine. Quit smoking last month. My ass is now the size of a city bus, but hey, good news is, I can haul it around town for another twenty years.” She eyed me over. “My, my, I do need to visit Norway one of these days. Yes, I do.”