Short Fiction · Chapter
The Best Sauce explained
Eve Hendrie, a paid companion to the irritable Mrs.
What happens
Eve Hendrie, a paid companion to the irritable Mrs. Rastall-Retford, lies awake hungry and disturbed by the unexpected arrival of Peter Rayner, a man who had previously fallen in love with her while she was a governess. Peter, having tracked her down, stays as a guest and attempts to win her over, but Eve resists. She retaliates by falsely telling Mrs. Rastall-Retford that Peter is a vegetarian and teetotaller, hoping to drive him away. Despite the hardships, Peter persists, and a tense standoff ensues as Eve struggles with her difficult situation.
Themes in this chapter
Loneliness and Connection
Eve's isolation and hunger are contrasted with Peter's persistent attempts to connect, highlighting her emotional and physical vulnerability.
Deception and Secrets
Peter's deceitful means of gaining entry to the household and Eve's false claim about his vegetarianism and teetotalism drive the plot.
Comedy and Misunderstanding
The humorous tension between Eve's resistance and Peter's cheerful persistence, along with the absurdity of the vegetarian/teetotaller ruse, provides comedic relief.
Characters to notice
- Eve Hendrie
Eve is the central character, lying awake hungry and disturbed by Peter Rayner's arrival. She is a paid companion to Mrs. Rastall-Retford, enduring a Spartan diet and her employer's irritability.
- Peter Rayner
Peter is the persistent suitor who has tracked Eve down and is staying as a guest. He is cheerful, affectionate, and determined to win her over despite her resistance.
- Eve Rastall-Retford
Mrs. Rastall-Retford is Eve's employer, a massive, irritable lady on a Spartan diet, who treats her staff harshly and is prone to stormy moods.
Key passages
“Eve Hendrie sat up in bed. For two hours she had been trying to get to sleep, but without success. Never in her life had she felt more wakeful. There were two reasons for this. Her mind was disturbed, and she was very hungry.”
Eve Hendrie couldn't sleep because she was both anxious and starving.
Opens the chapter establishing Eve's physical and emotional distress.
“I told her you were a vegetarian... I told her you were a teetotaller as well.”
Eve falsely claimed to Mrs. Rastall-Retford that Peter was a vegetarian and a teetotaller to make him leave.
Key moment of Eve's deception to drive Peter away.