Dissolve 20g fresh yeast in 75ml warm whole milk. Add 3 tablespoons of strong flour and work it into a smooth dough. Leave it to rest until it has doubled in size.
Make a well with 220g flour on the work surface and put 55g soft butter (or lard if you’re feeling brave), 2 eggs, 55g sugar, a pinch of salt, the rind of 1 lemon and 1/8 teaspoon ground star anise in the middle.
By hand or using a fork, mix the ingredients in the middle, add the fermented dough and continue kneading it with the flour until you get a smooth, compact dough.
Spread it out on a baking tray coated with oil or butter. It should be oval-shaped and about 1 cm thick.
Brush it with egg, spread 200g candied fruit over it and leave it to rest until it has doubled in size. Sprinkle 25g pine nuts on top, throw sugar over them and bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 180°C.
Best enjoyed with a glass of Cava.
Chapter Forty-Seven
JOEY
Joey had written and rewritten the message at least ten times before she felt ready to show it to Vanessa. “What do you think?”
They were lying in bed together, enjoying the luxury of a morning off work. Joey bit one of her fingernails absentmindedly.
Vanessa adjusted the sheet covering her. “I think it’s good. It doesn’t have to be perfect. This is you responding, but setting out boundaries.” She took Joey’s hand in hers. “And that’s ok.”
“I hope so.” Joey felt terrified of responding to her father. She longed for him to be back in her life in some way, but she was afraid of falling into the same patterns with him, winding up disappointed again.
“And you know, you don’t have to send it. Not being in touch with him is a legitimate decision.” Vanessa handed the phone back to Joey.
“I know,” said Joey. “But there’s part of me that wonders ‘what if?’ It’s been so long since I had a conversation with him. What if he actually has changed?”
“True,” said Vanessa, stroking Joey’s thumb with her finger.
“But what if he hasn’t?” Joey ran her free hand through her hair. This was such a difficult decision, and she didn’t know which way to turn.
“I guess, if it turns out he hasn’t changed, then you know you need to maintain your distance.” Vanessa dropped a kiss on Joey’s bare shoulder.
Joey smiled at the woman in her bed. She marvelled at how Vanessa had managed to break down all her barriers, at how she was happy to let this woman she’d known for such a short time see her at her most vulnerable. What amazed her was that it didn’t scare Vanessa away. She dropped her phone onto the bedside table and moved so she was on top of Vanessa.
“Hi,” said Vanessa, through laughter.
“Hi,” said Joey, proceeding to kiss the other woman. The woman who seemed to know what to say in every eventuality. Joel couldn’t help wishing she was the same. But right now, she just wanted to feel Vanessa’s body against her own. That would provide answers enough.
Hours later Vanessa and Joey arrived in the bakery freshly showered and ready for prep work. Carmen welcomed them with her usual generous smile.
“Good evening to you both. And thank you for giving up some time today to do this for me.” Carmen’s gold tooth sparkled in the light.
“Anything for you, Carmen,” said Joey.
“What she said,” agreed Vanessa with a smile.
“You two are too cute together,” said Carmen. “I can hardly bear it.”
Joey felt mildly mortified, and distracted attention by finding her apron and putting it on.
“The party tomorrow evening for Sant Joan will be a big one along here. We will provide all our usual bakes.” Carmen gesticulated enthusiastically. The street party for Saint John’s Eve the next day had been her idea, and she’d managed to persuade all the other businesses on the carrer to join in. “But of course, we have our special bake to present as a surprise.”
Joey nodded, regaining her composure. Vanessa held a notebook and pencil and started taking notes as Carmen instructed them on the sheer volume of coca dough they needed to make.
“We will use the old recipe you found, Joey,” said Carmen. “It’s a particularly good one.”
Vanessa tied up her apron. “Ok, I’m ready.” The way she put her hands on her hips made Joey melt slightly.
