The Caterer Who Never Came

The caterer called me just after eight the next morning.

The owner sounded puzzled when I explained why I was calling. Vanessa had requested an estimate three days earlier, she said, but never booked the dinner. There had been no cancellation.

I thanked her and ended the call.

Vanessa was downstairs making coffee. She looked up when I entered.

“I was going to tell you,” she said.