They were all crowded onto Vanessa’s tiny balcony, sitting on cushions and enjoying the sunset with a glass of Rioja – or lemonade in Joey’s case.
Carl leaned back in his chair. “It is, of course, famous as being a place where lesbians go to get married and have children.” He raised his eyebrows.
“Oh shut up, Carl.” Vanessa laughed.
“Is it?” Joey was intrigued. “I thought that was Hebden Bridge, up north?”
“Well, in fairness to Carl, Kings Heath would give Hebden a run for its money. It’s a pretty diverse neighbourhood.” Vanessa took a sip from her wine glass. “That’s why I like it.”
Joey’s heart slowed. This was what was calling Vanessa back. She desperately wanted to tell her not to go. But she knew that wouldn’t be fair.
Chapter Forty-Five
VANESSA
“Look what I found,” Joey said, as Vanessa walked into the bakery kitchen.
“Give me a minute, I haven’t even said good morning.” She laughed and kissed Joey on the cheek.
“Sorry, I just thought you’d want to see it. I was going through the old books in the back room, and I came across this.” Joey handed an old tome, holding the page open for Vanessa to read.
“A recipe?” Vanessa peered at the words, and immediately saw what it was. “Coca de Sant Joan?”
“Yes!” Joey grinned.
Vanessa’s heart sang. Was this going to give her a sense of the missing recipe? Might it tell her something about her gran, or her Spanish family? The knowledge that Joey had gone out of her way to find it warmed her soul, and she beamed at her. She really was the very best girlfriend Vanessa had ever had.
Or was that a bit of an assumption, to think of Joey as her girlfriend? Vanessa wondered whether perhaps it wasbetter not to ponder too hard on that, given their impending separation.
“What do you think?” Joey asked.
“Well, aside from anything else, it looks delicious.” Vanessa looked carefully down the list of ingredients.
“And it is the right time of year to make it.” Joey looked hopefully in Vanessa’s direction. “I thought we might make a batch today for the customers?”
“I’d love that,” said Vanessa. Perhaps the act of making the recipe would somehow make her feel more connected to her past.
And perhaps being more connected to her past might explain what she should do with her future. In the back of her mind she knew she had only a few days left to provide the deposit and sign the contract on the premises she and Carl had decided were the best fit for her bakery.
They’d talked long into the evening the night before, with Vanessa contemplating the next chapter in her life. She had limited time. The estate agent had confirmed that there was someone else interested, and she needed to make up her mind quickly.
“Look,” Carl had said, “give yourself a beat. Think about it. There may be another option you haven’t thought of.”
Vanessa wasn’t sure what that option might be. But she’d heeded her brother’s suggestion and given herself some more time to think. She marvelled at the fact she was taking so long to make up her mind. She was known for being impetuous. Maybe she really had turned over a new leaf.
And yet, when she thought of the new cafe, it didn’t make her feel the way she’d felt when she’d bought her tickets and flown to Barcelona straight from her grandmother’s funeral. She’d been optimistic and excited and brimming with ideas. Now, her mind kept drifting to Carmen and Joey’s plans for celebrating Saint John’s Eve.
Working together, Joey and Vanessa made a large batch of the enriched dough and left it to prove while they turned their attention to other bakes. After it had risen, Vanessa enjoyed the soft elastic feel of it between her fingers. It was totally different to regular bread. It held the warmth of the kitchen and felt almost like a living thing. A precious thing.
Vanessa and Joey shaped it into the traditional flat ovals, then decorated it with glace fruit. There followed a sprinkling of pine nuts and sugar, and then they all went into the oven, spreading a sweet and spicy smell through the building.
“You read my mind,” said Carmen as she walked into the kitchen. “And I’ve had an idea for La Revetlla de Sant Joan in a few days.” She rubbed her hands. “I think you’re going to like it.”
“Why do I think this is going to mean more work for me?” Joey put her hands on her hips.
“This is your life’s work, my dear Josefina,” said Carmen with a wink.
Vanessa laughed. “I’ll help.”
