The Kitchen Front: A Novel

Gwendoline and Nell arrive at Audrey’s doorstep asking for shelter. They relate their experience with Sir Strickland, and Gwendoline asks Audrey to take Nell in. Audrey despairs that she can’t take care of so many people, and Gwendoline and Nell tell her that they’ll help with her business and take care of her sons. Audrey agrees to let them stay the night. 

Gwendoline adjusts to being back in her childhood home. She spends the night in Audrey’s room and reflects on their shared childhood and her sense of ostracization. She and Audrey have an open discussion of their relationship with their mother, and Gwendoline opens up about the hardships of her marriage. They agree to start being friends in the future.

Nell returns to the hospital to visit Mrs. Quince, where she’s told her mentor isn’t yet ready to leave the hospital. Nell tells Mrs. Quince all about her adventure with Gwendoline, their discovery of Zelda as Audrey’s pregnant evacuee, and the second round of the contest. Mrs. Quince congratulates Nell for winning and helps her come up with a third recipe. They decide on creating a summer pudding with fresh fruit for the dessert round. Nell leaves cheerfully but notices that Mrs. Quince’s health is deteriorating.

Zelda is distrustful of Gwendoline but gradually sees that the new household additions are beneficial for everyone. Now that she can no longer hide her pregnancy, she goes to see Ambrose to discuss her situation. She implores him to ignore her condition until her baby is given up for adoption, so she won’t lose her place in the contest. Ambrose is uncertain, so Zelda alludes to his attraction to members of the same sex, which he tries to keep hidden. She appeals to him as another marginalized person with something to hide, and he agrees. She returns to work at the pie factory, where she is summoned by Mr. Forbes and fired due to her pregnancy. After unsuccessfully trying to repeal the decision, Zelda leaves.

Audrey and Nell work together on preparing her food orders. Zelda returns and tells them the news. She and Audrey go outside and are frightened by a nearby plane, and Zelda reflects on her stressful time living in London during the bombings. Audrey picks herbs as Zelda tries to convince her to let her stay, even without a job. Audrey encourages Zelda to talk to the bees, so Zelda explains the situation to the hive. She considers ways to help Audrey’s business expand, and Audrey agrees to let her remain at Willow Lodge.

Gwendoline attempts to clear the air with Zelda; Zelda admits she was once a maid, and Gwendoline asks her about Jim. They agree that they’re both better off without him. A letter is delivered, and Audrey calls everyone together; Sir Strickland is reclaiming the loan on Willow Lodge. They brainstorm about how to repay the loan or undermine him, and Nell tells them she knows where the illegal-market records are kept. Gwendoline and Audrey go to the farm office where the book is kept and retrieve it from under the floorboards. Gwendoline comes to terms with betraying her husband, and Audrey encourages her to find moments of happiness in life. At home, they look through the illegal accounts and agree to bring Sir Strickland to justice.

Nell, Gwendoline, and Zelda go to London to report Sir Strickland to the Ministry of Food. Each gives their account of his illegal practices at home, on the farm, and in the pie factory. Nell is too shy to speak at first, then gains courage and talks about what she’s observed from the kitchen. They return to Willow Lodge victorious but are greeted by bad news about Mrs. Quince.

Nell goes to the hospital, which is full of injured civilians from the war. Mrs. Quince greets Nell and tells her she knows she is dying but that she’s had a full and happy life. They thank each other for their presence in their lives, and Mrs. Quince bequeaths Nell her recipe book. She dies with Nell by her side, and Nell cries until Audrey comes to sit with her and help her through her grief.