“You are a precious girl.” Carmen patted Vanessa’s arm. “That cafe of yours will be a huge success.”
Vanessa felt her heart sink a little at the reminder. “Thank you, Carmen. And thank you both for all you’ve taught me. Honestly, I really couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Well we should thank you,” said Carmen. “Our profits are up since you started making those pale English sponges!”
Vanessa wasn’t sure what to say. This was beginning tofeel like a goodbye. She looked across to Joey, who was studiously examining the spice shelf.
Carl arrived later for lunch, full of the wonder of the Sagrada Familia. “The sun shining through the windows is incredible,” he exclaimed.
Joey was out at the wholesaler for supplies, so it was just Vanessa and Carl. They had each ordered a salad and some bread and olive oil. It was simple but delicious.
“So, any further thoughts about the cafe in Birmingham?” Carl asked.
“Oh God, no. I mean, I know I just need to do the thing. I promised Gran.” Vanessa pursed her lips.
“You know,” said Carl drily, “she’s not here.”
“I know.” Vanessa felt her lower lip wobble. “But I promised her.”
“But what exactly was it you promised her?” He looked searchingly into his sister’s eyes.
“That this time I would stick to my plan. That this time I wouldn’t be a magpie and get myself all excited by something new and shiny.” Vanessa pouted. “And she was right to pick me up on that. I’m thirty-five and I still haven’t settled to anything. Or anyone.”
“But one day you will settle down to someone, right?” Carl put his head on one side.
“Well, yes, I hope so.” A vision of Joey’s brilliant smile flashed inside Vanessa’s mind.
“What if that someone is actually Joey?” Carl folded his arms. “I’m just saying that changing plans for something more important isn’t the same as being flaky.”
“Hmm, but how do I know the difference?” Vanessa drained her coffee cup.
“Well, that’s something I can’t help you with.” Carl smiled kindly at her.
“Honestly, you come here for some support from your amazing sister, and I yammer on about my own issues. How are you doing?” She pushed her plate aside.
“You know what?” said Carl. “Being here has really helped. I expected to miss her so much, but you know, a change of scenery has shown me that maybe I need something different, too. Someone different. Well, perhaps one day. Not now.”
“That’s amazing, bro.” Vanessa beamed at him. “Ooh, before I forget, and this is going to sound weird, but I want to show you a photograph.” She took her phone out and scrolled to the hastily snapped picture of Sergio’s grandmother and the mystery woman – Esther. “That’s Dani’s Great Nan. This, we think, is her lover.”
Carl unfolded his arms and leaned forward, taking the phone from his sister.
“Now, maybe it’s just me, but don’t you think the other woman is a bit familiar?” Vanessa hadn’t been sure whether to show the picture to Carl, but her curiosity had got the better of her.
Carl frowned and used his fingers to zoom in. “I see what you’re thinking. She looks a bit like Grandma Sophia, I think.”
“Yes,” exclaimed Vanessa. “I thought it was me going mad. But Sophia was our great grandmother, right? I don’t remember meeting her, but I think I’ve seen photos.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” said Carl. “She died when I was quite young and you were tiny. I remember her, though. She visited us sometimes from Spain. She had this amazing accent. Gran loved it when she visited.”
“I can imagine.” Vanessa thought about her gran missing her own mother. It made her heart swell.
“It’s hard to draw a proper comparison, though,” saidCarl, handing the phone back to Vanessa. “She was very old when we knew her, but this woman in the picture certainly looks like some of the old photos in the family albums. Maybe she’s a more distant relative? It would be a bit of a coincidence.”
Vanessa sighed. “Yes, I suppose so.” She couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
Chapter Forty-Six
JOEY’S COCA DE SANT JOAN RECIPE
