Tandri and Viv raised their eyebrows at each other.
“Eight hells, whatisthat smell?” asked a voice they both recognized. Laney approached the counter.
“Got a new baker.” Viv cocked a thumb at Thimble.
“Still in the oven, eh? Well, miss, don’t mind tellin’ you that I’m r’lieved. Didn’t want to speak ill o’ the coffee, but bakin’ is more liable to keep you afloat. An’ I pride myself on my bakin’, so, you c’n trust my judgement.” She pressed a modest hand to her bosom.
Viv kept her face carefully neutral, thinking of Laney’s cake.
“Well, won’t keep you,” continued the old woman. “But when you’ve some to sell, you set some aside for me, hear?”
“I sure will.”
As Laney hobbled out of the shop, three customers entered behind her, and beyond them, Viv could see passersby slowing and glancing around curiously as they entered the cloud of scent that was pouring out the door.
It looked like the afternoon might not be so lean, after all, and they hadn’t sold a single roll yet.
* * *
Viv and Tandriheld a hurried conference. Viv thought they should charge two copper bits per roll, but Tandri laid a hand on her forearm, stared at her seriously, and said, “Four bits, Viv. Four. Bits.”
They took down the menu slate. Tandri quickly added a new entry and, in economical strokes, an illustration of a pastry, complete with sinuous lines representing the incredible smell.
~Legends & Lattes ~
~Menu~
Coffee ~ exotic aroma & rich, full-bodied roast—½ bit
Latte ~ a sophisticated and creamy variation—1 bit
Cinnamon Roll ~ heavenly frosted cinnamon pastry—4 bits
*
FINER TASTES FOR THE
~ WORKING GENT & LADY ~
“Four?” Viv asked again as she reseated the menu on the wall. “Really?”
“Trust me.”
Thimble hopped off his stool, took up a thick dishtowel, cracked open the stove, and withdrew the rolls. They were enormous and golden and beautiful. The smell billowed out in a wave as he placed them on the stovetop and closed the door. Viv thought Tandri might have involuntarily moaned, and her own stomach growled noisily.
The rattkin drizzled them with the thick, creamy icing that he’d kept to the side, sniffed experimentally, and nodded in satisfaction.
Viv looked up to find Hemington staring with interest at the rolls. “What an incredible smell,” he said.
“Well, you said you wanted something to eat. You can be first in line.”
“Ah,” said Hemington, looking embarrassed. “Well, you see, I have certain dietary restrictions. I don’t exactly eatbread….”
Viv’s brows drew low, and she leaned heavily on the counter.
“I’ll just buy one though, shall I?” he said lamely.
“Thank you.”
