Mrs. Henry went back to her tasks and Alice returned her attention to the lobsters. There was no time for introspection at the moment. An elegant dinner for fifty gentlemen required all her focus for the next three hours.

The door pushed open, but Alice was too busy cracking lobster claws to notice. “Look at you, madam chef!” a familiar female voice said.

She looked over her shoulder and found Nellie there, her hands on her hips. Wait, Nellie was in the kitchen?

Alice’s mouth fell open. “What are you doing here?”

The other woman took an apron off a peg on the wall and tied it over her dress. “Helping. Put me to work.”

“Wait. How did you know I was here?”

“Kit told me.” She removed the small hat from her head and smoothed her red hair. Then she came over and kissed Alice’s cheek. “My father was invited tonight. He will be one of the guests eating your food.”

“Well, it’s not my food. And I’m not the only one preparing it.” She gestured to the others and quickly introduced Nellie to Mrs. Henry and her children.

“Nice to meet all of you.” Nellie clapped her hands together. “Now, what may I do to help?”

Momentarily overwhelmed, Alice looked at Mrs. Henry. The older woman said, “If she finishes breaking those lobsters apart, you could start on the filling.”

“Yes, of course. Nellie, do you know anything about lobsters?”

“Spent a summer in Bar Harbor. You bet I do. Scoot.” She nudged Alice out of the way and started cracking claws.

Turning, Alice went to gather the ingredients for the filling and brought them back to the counter. Standing next to Nellie again, she leaned in and lowered her voice. “I imagine you have better things to do on a Friday night. Thank you for coming.”

“Actually, I don’t. Shockingly, a woman with my reputation is not invited to all that many events. Second, you are my friend and friends drop everything whenever one is in need. In fact, I’m hurt you didn’t ask me to come earlier in the week.”

“Oh, forgive me. I didn’t actually think—”

“Alice, I’m teasing. I’m not hurt. I understand why you wouldn’t ask, I do. And Kit tried to talk me out of it. He said I’d only be in your way.”

“Nonsense. I am glad you’re here.” It was surreal, actually. Alice hadn’t even considered reaching out to Katherine or Nellie for assistance. She was so used to doing everything on her own, with no one in her corner. But now she had friends. It would take some getting used to. “Won’t your father be worried about you?”