May 1921
Kurt
Monday morning
Kurt stifles a yawn when he and Blaine stop in front of Westerville's. He, Elliott, Finn, and a few workmen had been at the restaurant all weekend kitting out the dining room. He'd only returned to the townhouse in the wee hours of the night to sleep, shower, and change his clothes.
Today is judgment day.
For the very first time, Blaine will see Westerville's completely finished interior, including the decor that Kurt has kept a secret all this time. Kurt's hand shakes like a leaf as he turns the lock and clutches the door handle. Butterflies are fluttering in his stomach. What if Blaine hates it? What if he overstepped what Blaine thinks is acceptable? What if he needs to change the decor in four short days before the restaurant opens?
What if? What if? What if?
Nope, Kurt isn't going to let his nerves get the better of him. He plasters a smile on his face and asks, "Are you ready?"
Blaine strokes Kurt's arm. "I can't wait to see what you've done. You surprised me with your choice of furniture and decor in the townhouse, and I love everything. I'm sure I'll love this, too."
Kurt opens the door and stands aside to allow Blaine to enter first.
When Blaine walks in, he gasps loudly. On the wall above the bar hangs a wooden shield that is painted with the Westerville Coat of Arms. The walls are decorated with photographs and memorabilia from Westerville and their lives. Blaine's body trembles while he takes his time to walk around the dining area.
Blaine spots his father's sword, old wagon wheels, sickles used to cut wheat, and paintings of the Westerville Estate. There's even the Earl's old military uniform from the Boer War. There are framed menus from the dinner parties once held at Westerville Abbey and the recipe for fruitcake handwritten by Mrs Sylvester.
There are also mementos from their own lives - an aviation altimeter, an airplane propeller, a cavalry recruitment poster, and Blaine's first service hat. The newspaper articles about Kurt's Flying Ace status and the Victoria Cross award are framed and hanging.
Interspersed amongst the memorabilia are photographs, and Blaine lingers to really look at them. Some are from bygone days, like the picture of the Westerville men before they went off for the Great War, Blaine and Mrs Hummel proudly wearing their medals of the Order of the British Empire, and Cooper and Blaine as children fishing at a nearby stream.
Other photographs are more recent. Blaine's finger traces over the image of Cooper and Quinn's family, with their gaggle of children. There is another one of Blaine's father and mother in formal attire, as if they were about to go to a fancy ball. There are more: the Dowager Countess sitting in the pagoda in the rose garden, Mr and Mrs Hummel in front of their cottage, Mrs Sylvester taking a cake out of the oven, and Wesley mounted on Firebird at the special place by the lake. A large-sized photograph of the whole Anderson family and their servants in front of the abbey hangs prominently against one wall.
Blaine walks toward the bar and brushes his fingers along a stack of round wooden cheese boxes stamped with the Westerville Estate seal. On the other side of the bar counter is a pile of leather menu covers. Blaine picks one up and opens it. The menu is set out on thick cream paper and the Westerville Coat of Arms is embossed on the top.
Blaine sits down on a bar stool and drops his head on his arms. His body shakes as sniffles escape his lips.
Kurt rubs his back, worried that Blaine doesn't like the decor. "I hope those are happy tears. If you don't like what I've done, I can always change it before we open. Perhaps I should make the place more modern-looking. I'll get on it right away."
"Definitely happy tears. I don't want you to change a single thing."
Blaine turns and hugs Kurt tightly, sobbing into his chest. Kurt holds him in silence, rocking him slowly as Blaine's tears soak his shirt.
Kurt is worried that maybe the decor is too much. He should probably tone it down and hang more generic old English items.
After a minute or two, Blaine's sobs revert into quiet sniffles and then silence. When Blaine pulls away, his eyes are puffy and red. Kurt offers his handkerchief for Blaine to blow his nose.
Finally, Blaine speaks. "When you told me that the theme would be old world charm, I didn't expect to see a slice of Westerville. The nostalgic feeling is overwhelming… The good kind of overwhelming, in all the right ways."
Kurt holds a hand over his chest and stops worrying. "When I unpacked the crates over the weekend, I felt nostalgic as well."
Blaine wipes the final tears from his eyes, and continues, "I love everything. It's like the Westerville Estate and our families are here with us in this very room. How did you get the photographs and things?"
"You have your mother to thank. A few days after Christmas - after you told me that I would be in charge of the dining area - I wrote to her about my idea for the decor, and she sort of ran with it. She organized the photographs to be taken and shipped everything. I bought the frames at local flea markets, and Elliott helped me find the aviation things. By the way, your father gave me permission to use the Westerville Coat of Arms. Finn will be hanging a wooden version outside today."
Blaine glances around the dining area one more time. "Everything surrounding me really captures Westerville. The paintings of the landscape, the old farming equipment, and of course the photographs of the people who are part of Westerville."
"There's also space for new photographs to be hung - pictures of us building our lives together here in New York City. Elliott's cousin is a photographer, and he's coming in a few week's time to take some snapshots of us with the staff, you working in the kitchen, that sort of thing. Westerville's will be a blend of the old world and the new."
Blaine gazes into Kurt's blue eyes, which are filled with love and everything kind. "I could spend hours looking at everything. It makes me feel a part of Westerville, even thousands of miles away. This idea is amazing and so unique. The decor will have customers talking about it for days."
"I hope so," Kurt chuckles. "Or at least come back to take another look around."
Blaine hugs Kurt and nuzzles into his neck. "Have I told you today how much I love you?"
"I love you, too, sweetheart."
Blaine captures Kurt's lips in a kiss, and they get lost in their own little world.
"Guys! Do you ever stop necking?"
Blaine reluctantly pulls away to find Finn standing inside the doorway. "Is it okay if I thank Kurt for doing such a marvelous job with the decor?"
Finn smirks, "Well, you can thank me, too, but not with kisses. I've been the one hanging all the stuff. It looks pretty terrific if you ask me."
"I think it looks pretty terrific, too," Blaine replies.
"Do you guys want to see the top floor? We've finished all the noisy work."
Blaine pulls away from Kurt but holds his hand. "Lead the way!"
They climb up two floors to the top. Kurt notices that the floors have been revarnished and look nice. Finn leads them to the bathroom, which looks much better with the tiling regrouted.
"I've checked all the plumbing and made the changes necessary for the building inspectors. We had to do some electric rewiring throughout the floor. We repaired broken window sills and installed radiators. We've stripped all the old wallpaper off. All that needs doing now is make good the walls and paint them."
They inspect each room and notice that new sinks have been installed.
Blaine pats Finn's back. "This is really great. We already have eight staff who want to live here. Let me know when it will be ready for them to move in."
"How about the furniture?" Kurt asks.
Finn looks at them sheepishly. "I forgot to budget for furniture. I guess I'll have to ask Hiram for more money."
"That won't be necessary," Blaine interjects. "I have some extra cash for that. I'm sure Elliott will go out with you on his next day off and help you buy the stuff that is needed."
Finn wipes his brow in relief. "Thank you, Blaine. I really didn't want to tell Hiram that I ran out of money. I've got something else to show you."
Finn leads them down one flight of stairs, where Blaine and Kurt have set up an office and staff room.
"I updated all the plumbing and wiring on this floor, too. I thought it best to get all the noisy stuff done before the restaurant opens."
"You're a genius!" Blaine exclaims.
Kurt's curiosity is piqued when Finn guides them to a separate room that once stored some of the decor used downstairs. He's surprised to find that the room has an en-suite bathroom.
"I updated this bathroom as well."
"What do you think this room was used for?" Kurt asks.
"Maybe it was the private room for the person in charge of the upstairs dormitory," Finn suggests.
Kurt slaps his forehead. "Oh my goodness! We didn't even think about someone to manage the boarding rooms."
"You're not going to let ten young bachelors live without someone to make sure everything is okay?" Finn asks. "They could do a lot of damage."
Blaine lets out a deep sigh. "I suppose you're right. Maybe we'll find a manager who is paid by having free room and board in this room. We'll have to give it some careful thought."
"But after we open the restaurant. There is still a lot to do before Thursday," Kurt reminds him.
"Pumpkins! Are you here? There is a food delivery truck outside, and I need a copy of the order so that I can check it."
Blaine rushes to the top of the stairs. "Hi, Beiste! I'll be down in a jiffy."
Blaine turns toward Finn and Kurt. "We'll have to think about how to find a manager for the boarding rooms. But in the meantime, I've got to go sort out the delivery. Staff will be arriving soon to get their training."
Finn heads back upstairs while Kurt and Blaine rush down to the restaurant. There is never a dull moment at Westerville's.
Kurt has all the waiters try on their uniforms so that he can make the last-minute alterations before Thursday. The uniform consists of black trousers with a white shirt and black bow tie. Instead of the usual waistcoat and jacket, the waiters will simply wear black suspenders. While still looking smart, it gives the restaurant a more relaxed feel.
Kurt instructs them on the standard place settings of the tables. He then describes the menu of non-alcoholic drinks and which pairs best with which foods. Meanwhile, Blaine is busy in the kitchen, teaching the staff how to prepare his menu items. Everyone is rewarded with samplings of the starter dishes.
After all the staff has been trained and the kitchen has been cleaned, Kurt and Blaine head home. Although it has been a short day, there will be long hours ahead of them during the first week of opening. When Kurt and Blaine arrive at their townhouse, they notice that the postman has delivered the mail.
While Blaine unlocks and opens the door, Kurt sorts through the envelopes. "Blaine, you've got a letter from Mrs Sylvester. Fancy that!"
"Let's sit down and read it together,' Blaine suggests.
Once they sit down on the love seat in the living room, Blaine opens the letter.
Dear Sir Blaine,
Mrs Hummel told me that you will be opening your restaurant very soon. I wanted to give you a few words of cooking advice, based upon my experience of working at Westerville Abbey.
Bacon makes everything better. If something tastes bland and needs a little oomph... Add bacon.
Recycle leftovers for stock. Collect the unused parts of vegetables, such as carrot tops, onion stems, and celery ends. Leftover chicken bones and extra meat can also be saved for your broth. Waste not, want not.
Heat the plates or the food will be cold by the time it reaches the table.
Cream. If a dessert doesn't work out exactly how you expected, liberally add whipped cream. It will cover all sorts of mishaps.
I could go on and on with advice, but I'll leave the rest for when you visit Westerville Abbey this summer. Your mother wants to have a dinner where they eat foods from your menu. I agreed, but I'll warn you, I'm the queen in my kitchen. You'll still be supervised by me.
Over the past year, I've had some unfortunate mishaps in the kitchen. When I accidently put salt on a dessert instead of sugar, Mrs Hummel insisted that I see a doctor. It turned out I had cataracts in my eyes that were making me go blind. Your father insisted that I go to the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London for surgery. Mercedes met me off the train and was by my side through the whole ordeal. I'm pleased to report that I can see perfectly fine now, with spectacles of course. I'm not ready to be put out to pasture yet!
It's been relatively quiet at the abbey without you and Miss Berry (or rather, Mrs Hudson) here. The days of formal dinner parties and balls are long gone. Lord Cooper and Lady Quinn's young ones are easy to satisfy with tea parties and fairy cakes. Mr and Mrs Hummel have slowed down, and I suspect Porcelain will see a big change in them when you visit. I never thought I would say this, but Sebastian has turned out to be quite a capable under-butler (a fancy word for being second in charge, valet and first footman all rolled into one). Dave is doing quite well as the groundskeeper, although he still has bouts where he isn't in this world, poor thing. The war has changed many a soldier, both in good and bad ways.
Good luck on your restaurant opening day. Make sure the staff know who's boss from the get-go. You are quite sensible to start with a limited menu and expand it once everyone has settled into the roles in the kitchen. I shall look forward to hearing all about it during your visit.
Please send my regards to Snow White and the Dopey Dwarf.
Your faithful servant,
Mrs Sylvester
PS - I've already baked a fruitcake for your visit, and I'm liberally dousing it in brandy.
"Mrs Sylvester is quite a character," Kurt remarks.
Blaine places down the letter with a smile. "Yes, but the best sort of character. She might be crusty on the outside, but she's a softy at heart."
Opening night
Kurt inspects each table to ensure the setting is correct and uses his measuring stick to check that the cutlery is the correct width apart.
"That's crazy," Elliott remarks.
Kurt taps the measuring stick against the palm of one hand. "My father taught me that it's all in the attention to detail. After tonight, you'll be in charge of checking that the settings are perfect."
"Yes, Captain," Elliott replies and gives a hand salute.
"Are all the waiters here?"
"All present and accounted for," Elliott confirms.
"You should inspect their uniforms, and I'll join you in a few minutes. I just need a word with Blaine before we open."
When Kurt enters the kitchen, he smells the delicious aromas of soup simmering and casseroles in the oven. There are warm apple crumb cakes cooling on one counter.
Beiste is supervising the prep area. "Potatoes are next. One third to be cut into chips, one third to be cut for boiling, and the rest to be cut in small chunks for roasting. We've got 30 minutes until opening time, so as quick as you like! There will be hell to pay if they aren't ready in time."
Beiste looks up. "Hi, snookums. Blaine is in the walk-in refrigerator, double-checking the desserts."
Kurt heads toward the walk-in refrigerator and calls out, "Is everything all right?"
Blaine turns around and smiles. "Perfect. I hope people leave room for dessert, because we have an awful lot."
"Don't worry, Blaine. Once customers see others eating them, they'll order dessert, too."
Blaine exits the refrigerator, looks around and gives Kurt a brief hug. They have decided not to be physically affectionate at the restaurant. While the senior staff know about their relationship, the others do not.
"Are you nervous?" Kurt asks.
"Is it wrong to say not really? We've been practicing the menu items for the past three days. I've worked with Beiste before, and we're a good team. The menu isn't that complicated - many things are already prepared and warming up. How about you? Are you nervous?"
Kurt sags against Blaine's body. "Please don't judge me. This is the first time I've been in charge of a restaurant dining room. I have this nightmare that no one will show up or a waiter will trip and spill a tray of food on customers."
Blaine raises an eyebrow.
"Okay, you can judge me."
Blaine rubs Kurt's back. "I think it's adorable. I think you're adorable. Over half the tables are reserved, you have trained the waiters, and you know what you're doing. Sure, there will be little things that will go wrong, but you and I… We're going to knock this out of the park."
Kurt stands up straight and smiles. He knows that Blaine is right. He has confidence in what he's doing, he has hired great waiters, and he knows that Blaine will produce food that everyone will love. He gives Blaine a final kiss before he heads back to the dining room.
It's almost time to open the doors for their grand opening, and Blaine is right. They are ready.
Author's notes
Trivia: The Westerville Coat of Arms in the chapter heading is the fictitious one for Downton. It was seen in the sign for the Grantham Arms, the village pub, and Downton Cottage Hospital.
Many thanks to my fantastic betas - Fearlessly, Lilyvandersteen, Dblmalfunction. I made the last-minute edits and performed the final proofreading by myself, so all mistakes are mine.
I'm HKVoyage on Tumblr.
Next up: Westerville's opening night.