“Fernand never could quite measure up to his father’s expectations. Perhaps that would’ve changed, if he and Josephine had won. Though I’ve always wondered if part of Fernand was relieved. Finally, his father turned his fury on someone else.”
“You mean Josephine?”
Agnes nodded.
“What happened to her?” Based on what Sylvie had read, she’d turned into a recluse.
“No one had heard from her in years, that is, until a week ago. When the CCS announced the decision to have your mama compete. That’s when Josephine crawled back out, promising she’d have her revenge.” Agnes lowered her voice. “Balthazar fired Josephine on the spot. After that, her friendship with Fernand was ruined. About a year later, Balthazar died. Some say it was the humiliation of it all that killed him. Others think it was Josephine.”
Sylvie stared at the scar on her hand and let it all sink in. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Josephine had reappeared now.Did it have to do with the CCS’s decision, or is there more to it?No matter how hard she tried to forget, the man’s warning crept back.Watch your back.If Sylvie wanted to try and dig up the truth, she needed to find Escoffier.
Ding! Ding!
“Ah, the cookies!” Agnes pulled the glossy chocolate disks out of the oven. Her gaze suddenly grew distant.
“I’ve been cooking here for forty years, Sylvie. I’ve seen many children start out just like Flammé, full of hope and promise. But some get their hopes crushed. Don’t let that happen to you. You mustn’t let the CCS, or anyone else, push you around.”
“Thanks,” said Sylvie. Agnes was right. This was her shot. She had to do everything in her power to make sure she got her Blade and enrolled at Brindille.
Sylvie checked her watch.Orientation starts in five minutes.“I better go. I don’t want to be late.”
“Of course. You’re welcome to bake with me any time. It’s been nice.” Agnes stuffed several cookies into a paper bag and handed it to Sylvie.
“Thank you.”
Agnes smiled. “The right recipe can’t fix all your troubles, but it can be a powerful tool.”
Sylvie headed back toward the double doors. The bag in her hands suddenly grew heavy, as if Agnes’s final words had poured into the cookies, weighing them down with the strength of a promise.
Sylvie suddenly had a question she wanted to ask. “If I’m looking for something … or someone, could the right recipe help me?”
“Of course. The right recipe can do many things, even break down obstacles.” Agnes twisted her hands together. “But—”
Whoosh!
The doors behind Sylvie swung open, revealing Flora.
“Here you are! I’ve been looking all over. I’ve already sent the other Pips up to the school. Orientation is starting soon.”
“I know. Sorry … I was just heading out.” Sylvie glanced at Agnes.What was she about to tell me?
Agnes brushed her hands across her apron. “I’m afraid it was my fault. I asked Sylvie to give me a hand with something in the kitchen.”
Flora’s expression softened. “Oh, well, that was thoughtful.”
Sylvie decided to use this as an opportunity. “Like the school’s motto says, we’re all stronger when we work together. Right?”
“Yes.” Flora tugged at her corkscrew of dark curls. “But hopefully, you’ll keep it in mind next time you see Georgia Shaw too.”
Sylvie sucked in her lips. “I will.”
Agnes waved them off. “You two best get going. Have a good day, Sylvie. Let me know how it goes.”
Sylvie dug out a cookie. “Thanks. I will.” She turned and squared her shoulders.
Whatever it takes,she reminded herself. With that, she took a bite.
A Needle in a Haystack
