Amelie shook her head. ‘Either way, the guests are going to have a treat this afternoon, although now the evenings are growing long, more of them will stay out a little later.’
‘Johannes will appreciate it,’ teased Mina.
‘Johannes is rapidly becoming a cake connoisseur, among other things.’ Her godmother’s mouth twitched and there was a dreamy look in her eye that Mina really didn’t want to think too much about.
‘Well, he’d better like this one, as I used his chocolate.’ The recipe using melted chocolate made the most delicious squidgy moist sponge and Mina had already decided that it would be one of the signature dishes in the café. She would ring the seasonal changes with different fruit garnishes.
‘He’s also…’ Amelie paused and blushed. ‘He’s about to take on a new role.’
‘He is?’
‘We’re getting married.’
Mina squealed. ‘Oh my God!’ She threw her arms around her godmother. ‘That’s amazing.’
‘I wanted you to be the first to know.’
‘When? How?’
Amelie laughed. ‘You don’t think it’s too soon?’
Mina stopped, hit by a sudden wave of grief. ‘No, not when you know.’
It had taken one kiss for her and Luke, although it had taken her another two weeks to appreciate it, and now when it was far too late, she knew that there’d never be anyone quite as perfect as him.
‘It was quite romantic,’ Amelie laughed. ‘I’d never have thought it of Johannes, he’s always been such a gruff bear.’
‘The love of a good woman, you see.’
‘Hmm, or maybe mellowing with age.’
‘So how did he propose?’
‘He asked me to look at a new wine list for the chalet that he’d put together, because he had a few new additions from a new supplier that he thought I might like.’ Amelie’s eyes sparkled as she recalled the memory. ‘When I read the list, there was a wineWill You Marry Mefrom the vineyard of Johannes Metterhorn. “A loyal, faithful grape variety, occasionally short-tempered but always good-hearted.”’
‘Ah, that’s lovely.’
‘But you don’t think people will think it’s very sudden?’
‘No, people will think you’ve finally taken pity on the poor man. It was obvious the first day I arrived that he adored you.’
Amelie giggled. ‘You wouldn’t think so if you knew what a hard time he gave me when I first opened the chalet.’
‘That’s just his way, he likes to challenge things. I suspect he was worried that you might not stay the course.’
With a sigh Amelie pulled Mina closer and put her arm across her shoulder. ‘I probably wouldn’t have done, without you. I was already thinking about giving up my dream before you came. You were right: it is too much work for one person on their own, and I was too stubborn to let go. Then having a heart attack forced me to. When I lay in that hospital bed, thinking of all the bother I was causing, I very nearly decided to put it on the market and go back to Basel. And then you, my wonderful girl, gave me all the solutions. I’m so grateful to you. I wish I could do some thing to make you happy.’ Her smile held a hint of sadness and sympathy. ‘I think that’s the way of the newly engaged: they want everyone to be as happy as they are.’
‘I’m happy,’ said Mina, indignation tinging her voice. ‘Perfectly happy. I’ve found what I want to do. And I’ve also decided to set up a blog about Swiss food, talking about the origins of the recipes, the regional foods, and the seasonal dishes. Maybe try and write a recipe book or two. I’d quite like to do one all about chocolate. There’s so much I want do. It’s exciting.’ And true, she’d found her place here, and the time and space to do the things that she really wanted to do. Only one thing was missing, and it wouldn’t kill her.
‘That’s surface happy. Anyone can be happy like that, but you deserve more.’
‘Don’t be nice to me. I’m trying to be brave.’
‘Is it Luke?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is he coming back?’
