“No, don’t worry, it’s good news. It’s just, well, you need to come to Sergio’s apartment. And Carl, too.” Dani didn’t seem to want to explain anything.
“But you and Sergio are ok?” Vanessa was confused.
“Yes. Now hurry up. I have something to show you. And bring that old recipe book of yours.” Dani ended the call, leaving Vanessa gaping.
Vanessa quickly explained what little she knew to Joey, and then hurried them both over to her flat. When they arrived, Carl was sitting at the kitchen table eating a croissant and scrolling through his phone. He wished them a good morning.
“Morning, Carl. I’m going to have a quick shower, but when I’m done, we’re all going to Sergio’s,” Vanessa declared.
Carl looked at Vanessa in confusion. “What’s going on? Who is Sergio?”
Vanessa repeated herself. “I’m having a shower. Joey will explain.” She waved her hand and disappeared under the flow of water. She ignored the voice in her head reminding her that today was the last day she could act if she was going to secure the cafe in Birmingham. That paled into comparison to whatever was happening now.
Within half an hour three very curious people were on the metro, heading in the direction of Sergio’s apartment. Vanessa clutched a bag containing her grandma’s old recipe book. She tapped her fingers on her knee, impatient to find out what Dani needed to see the book for.
Joey put a gentle hand over Vanessa’s. “Take it easy, we’ll find out soon enough.”
Vanessa looked up in surprise. It was as if Joey could read her mind. She wondered if Joey would be able to read how torn she was about leaving Barcelona, even though she knew she had to do it.
“Come in,” said Dani. Her cheeks were pink with excitement. Vanessa looked at her brother. He seemed entirely bemused by the whole situation. “Hi Carl.” Dani pulled him into the apartment and sat him down.
“Come on, you two,” she said to Vanessa and Joey. “Sit down. Sergio has something to show you.”
Sergio chuckled. He was sitting in an easy chair, clutching a piece of paper. “I really hope this isn’t a wild goose chase,” he said.
“Never,” Vanessa replied. “Any excuse to see you is a treat.”
“She’s a proper charmer,” he said, looking at Joey, who laughed along with him.
Vanessa smiled. “So, tell me Uncle Sergio. What’s behind all this cloak and dagger?”
“Well, Dani and I were going through a few old things, and I came across this.” He passed over a folded piece of yellowing paper.
Instinctively, Vanessa held the paper delicately. She began to unfold it, noting that one edge had a tear along it. She frowned.
It couldn’t be, could it?
She opened the sheet. It emitted a familiar musty smell. And there, in black and white, or perhaps black and yellow, was the aged lettering detailing the recipe for Coca de Sant Joan.
“I don’t understand,” said Vanessa, unable to drag her eyes from the page. “What on earth is it doing here?”
Joey and Carl leaned in to have a closer look.
“Is it the one you’ve been looking for?” Dani asked, her eyes shining with expectation.
Vanessa handed the sheet to Carl momentarily while she took out the old book. She opened it to the missing page. She took the paper back from Carl and lined it up. The tear marks matched almost perfectly, even with the wear of decades.
Vanessa felt tears spring in her eyes. She didn’t know why it mattered so much, but she knew it held the key to something. And as she looked through the ingredients, sherealised they were identical to the batch she and Joey had made the night before.
“Look.” Carl pointed a finger at some faded pencil writing in the margin.
“What’s that?” Vanessa turned the page so she could look at it more closely.
“Notes on the recipe?” Joey took the page from Vanessa and peered at it. She started to read out loud, translating the Spanish into English as she went.
“Dear Teresa. I am so sorry. I must go. My family do not understand. They will never understand us. You have my heart, but I must leave and marry Gerardo as my father wishes. I have no other choice. Believe me, I wish with all of my body and soul that I could marry you. Know that I will never forget you. Love always, Sophia.”
Vanessa’s tears began to flow now. “So the photo?”
