“We also have a kids’ menu,” the waiter said, starting to wheel over another cart. “‘Nutella  . . .’”

“Oh no,” Tess interrupted, so Max didn’t have to, “we aren’t really that fond of Nutella. Aunt Evie says it’s ‘an acquired taste’ and I’m afraid we haven’t acquired it yet. My brother hasn’t for sure.”

Max was embarrassed. He felt his cheeks turning red.

“It also features almond butter and marmalade, our version of”—the word “version” sounded very British—“peanut butter and jelly.” He gave a small laugh.

But Aunt Evie blinked her eyes at him, a way she had of blinking her eyes when she sort of disapproved of something. “Is it on whole wheat bread?” actually making a joke but it went right over the waiter.

“Actually, it is,” the waiter said, who smiled again and then got a tiny bit flustered.

Tess jumped in. “We’ve been to England before,” Tess said brightly, “and we’re fine with the grown-up version. Are there petits fours and scones and Devonshire cream?”

“Yes, of course,” he said.

“And little egg salad sandwiches?” she asked.

Aunt Evie said, “Lovely.”

“And I’ll even eat cucumber with butter,” said Max. “I’m awfully hungry from the park!”

“Grown up it is. We also have a selection of éclairs and chocolates.”

“Really?” said Max. “That’s very exciting, isn’t it Tess?”

But Tess wasn’t paying any attention to him. She had turned her head and was distracted by the boy at the table behind them. The boy smiled at her which made her feel a little shy, but she smiled back. And then he proceeded to—almost as if he was an artist on view, not quite performance art but definitely creative—with a magician’s precise sleight of hand, and an interesting architectural eye, he started to pile petits fours onto petits fours, using éclairs as walls, tea biscuits as windows, and tea sandwiches as tiles for a roof, and constructed a very interesting rendition of a house with a blueberry for a doorknob and a sprinkling of Devonshire cream on the rooftop as if it had just recently snowed. It was quite a remarkable creation. And it seemed to Tess to be a show for her. Tess smiled and quietly laughed and turned away so as not to draw attention to him. She didn’t point it out to Aunt Evie or Max. It was kind of like it was their secret, hers and the boy who was sitting at the other table.

“The curried turkey is delicious,” said Aunt Evie. “Really, you should both try it.”

Tess took a bite just to appease Aunt Evie, quite certain she wasn’t going to like it, but she was surprised—it had raisins in it and walnuts and chutney.