Penny had spent most of the last few days tidying up and figuring out what the menu was going to be exactly. This meant sampling different types of teas to see what brought out the best flavors in the cakes she'd cooked. In the end, the standard was perfect, with a little cream. They would probably wish for sugar, however. That could not be helped.
There was a kettle on the stove, heating the water as she bustled about. The different cakes had been pulled out, cut into their designated squares, and put onto their thin sheets of rice paper. Then they were put on the tray and carried out to the sitting room. Everything would be ready by the time the children got there. The only thing was there was someone quite missing. Wiping her hand on her apron, she untied it from around her waist and hung it near the kitchen door. A few paces over, she pulled open another door that lead down into the basement.
"Cid," she called down, even as she doubted he'd hear her. Penny made her way down the steps and called out again. "Put on your coat. We're going to have company."