Delicate conversation needs delicate food, I think. And so we have pretty petits fours glacés (http://kitchenartthestoreforcooks.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/petit_feature2.jpg?w=636&h=310&crop=1) from Edmund's, and I have made some palmiers au pisto (http://www.750g.com/palmiers-au-pistou-r24782.htm) in case Mab's more in the mood for something savoury. I pick out a nice afternoon tea Alice brought home from work, and I bring the tray of things outside.

"Do you think these will lull her into a false sense of security?" I say to Hermia, raising my eyebrows gently as I set the tray down.