Say hello to her but move on

“My my, that all looks delicious.”

Mrs. Powell finally took notice of me. “Michael, what a lovely surprise! I didn’t hear you come in.” She started to run her hands on her apron as though to clean them but they were already immaculate. “Will you be staying for dinner?”

“Normally you know that I’d love to. But I’m hungry for something a little different just now.”

She seemed disappointed. I gave her another appraising look.

“But I might come back for something tasty later.”

“You’re welcome any time,” she said with all the innocence in the world.

I bid farewell to her and the thoroughly modern kitchen, with it’s self-cleaning oven and the whole bit. Then I sought out another option.