The Kitchen Front: A Novel

A lawyer calls to stay Sir Strickland has been arrested, and Gwendoline and Zelda go to Fenley Hall to retrieve some of Gwendoline’s things. The property is being investigated by police, but they allow the women in and tell them the hall is being requisitioned for the army. They go through Gwendoline’s clothes, and Gwendoline considers her reliance on luxury. Before they leave, Gwendoline finds the loan agreement for Audrey’s house and tears it up. They stop at the kitchen to retrieve Mrs. Quince’s recipe book for Nell before returning home.

Nell looks through Mrs. Quince’s recipe book and struggles with her feelings of inferiority next to her mentor. Within the book, Nell discovers a letter written by the previous head cook, Mrs. Newton, to Mrs. Quince many years ago. Mrs. Newton wrote it shortly before her death and handed the book, along with her legacy, to the girl Mrs. Quince once was. Nell then discovers a second letter written by Mrs. Quince to her, saying goodbye. After mourning her loss, Nell feels renewed and puts her energy toward her cooking. She cooks a feast for after Mrs. Quince’s funeral with Audrey and Zelda’s help. Finally, she makes Mrs. Quince’s Special Occasion Cake.