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Dick was helping Rowan and Prim get a lunch together that would not permanantly embarrass the Golden Perch. It took a little while, for none of them were quite as familiar with cooking as Cook herself, but when Cook was not there, their attempts would have to serve.
They were almost finished cooking when Cir entered the kitchen. "Excuse me," she said, before Dick interrupted her.
"The food will be ready in just a minute. I'm sorry it's taken so long."
"No, that's not what-"
"Rowan, turn the steaks over, will you?"
"I was wondering about Cook."
"She's not here, I explained to your aunt."
"I know, I was wanting to see if anyone had looked in Cook's room yet, and if they knew anything?"
"We looked," Rowan said, turning from the sizzling stove top.
Before Dick could express surprise, Cir could ask any questions, or Rowan explain a thing, a stranger appeared in the doorway. The four inhabitants of the kitchen looked up in surprise. The stranger didn't wait for any of them to break the silence.
"Hello! Could anyone use a cook?"
Dick, Rowan, and Prim glanced at each other. Dick stepped forward. "I am Seredic Boffin, I run this place. We...could use a cook...but I don't know anything about you, or if you can even cook half decently!"
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