Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
JOEY
“So, what’s the face about?” asked Daniela as she tore into some tomato bread.
Joey rolled her eyes. “It’s just my face, Dani. Nothing different about it. I can’t help it if you don’t like it.” She felt the salt crystals from the bread they were sharing melt in her mouth.
“You look even grumpier than usual,” Dani replied, staring intently at her friend. “If I were a gambling woman, I’d say it’s that cute woman who’s baking in your kitchen right now.”
Joey huffed. “Oh, she’s fine. It’s like people think I can’t share my space.”
Dani cocked an eyebrow. “You can’t. I remember when we went on that camping trip and we shared a tent.” She grinned. “I love you dearly, but I’d never do that again.”
“I think it was the weather, not you,” Joey countered, taking a sip from her espresso.
“I think it was both. But we are digressing,” said Dani. “What’s the deal with the hottie?”
“The what?” asked Joey.
“The hottie. Wouldn’t you call her that?”
Joey groaned. Dani and Carmen often tried to pair her up with suitable women. “I hadn’t noticed,” she said. Which was enough of a lie to be betrayed by the red blooming on her cheeks.
“I don’t believe you.” Dani’s eyebrows were raised.
“Carmen has adopted her. She wants to open a Spanish bakery in the UK or something, but she can’t speak a word of Spanish and it’s clear she’s never eaten anything Spanish in her life.” Joey tutted.
“You can be very judgy, you know,” said Dani. “All power to the girl. She’s taken herself out of her comfort zone, come to Barcelona and she wants to learn. Everyone has to start somewhere. I bet your Spanish wasn’t brilliant when you moved here.”
“No,” said Joey, “but that was fifteen years ago. And at least I’d done GCSE Spanish. I knew how to say please and thank you.”
“Well, if you’ll come down from your high horse, I would imagine that there were kindly folk who helped you.” Dani’s curls moved as she tilted her head to looked over her glasses at her friend.
“Carmen was amazing,” admitted Joey.
“Well there you are, then. Perhaps now you can return the favour for hot Vanessa.”
Joey decided not to respond, instead leaving some Euros on the cafe table and getting ready to return to the bakery.
The duo walked slowly through the streets. It was too hot to hurry. “You still coming over for drinks and food tomorrow?” asked Dani.
“Sure.” Joey smiled. Dani always held such lovely soirées.
They walked into the bakery to find Carmen talking animatedly to Vanessa in the cafe area. “Perfect timing,” said Carmen in English to Joey and Dani.
“Uh oh,” said Joey. Vanessa was looking nervous, her face shiny from the hot kitchen.
“Here’s Vanessa’s amazing British creation. The Queen Victoria sponge,” Carmen announced, pointing to a plate holding the cake.
“Er, just a Victoria sponge,” said Vanessa. Her cheeks were pink and strands of hair had escaped from her bun. Joey felt sorry for the woman. She clearly hadn’t bargained on Carmen making such a fuss. But that was Carmen – all fuss. And lots of love.
“A Victoria sponge is a thing of beauty and perfection,” said Joey. Vanessa smiled. “Done right, of course,” she added, and Vanessa’s face fell.
Joey hadn’t been back to the UK in years, and hadn’t seen a homemade sponge like this for long enough that her mouth was beginning to water. It was round and golden brown, just waiting to be enjoyed.
“Ok, everyone, sit.” Carmen gestured to the three women, then produced some plates and a cake knife. Before long each person had a slice before them.
Joey examined the structure of the sponge with her fork.
It looked perfectly balanced. It was an old-fashioned sponge – just the vanilla sponge, raspberry jam, by the look of it, and caster sugar sprinkled on top.
She took a mouthful and was immediately transported to her childhood.
To being at a birthday party and awaiting her presents.
“Wow,” said Carmen. “Which jam did you use?”
“Oh,” said Vanessa, “I made it, actually.”
“I am impressed,” said Carmen. “That is just full of flavour. And the texture.” She performed a flamboyant chef’s kiss that made them all laugh.
“It’s ok, you know,” said Joey, directing her eyes at Vanessa. Vanessa looked surprised.
“It’s more than ok,” Dani insisted. “This is gorgeous.” She beamed in a way that had Joey wondering whether she had ever smiled that openly herself.
“You must give me the recipe,” said Carmen. “We must have it in this bakery!” she exclaimed.
“Oh, it’s really not as special as all that,” Vanessa replied, although Joey could tell by the glint in her eyes she was pleased she had managed to impress them.
“Actually,” said Joey, because she knew she must, “it is pretty special. When it comes to a classic like this, the challenge is that in the UK, everyone’s tasted it hundreds of times.
But this is genuinely one of the better ones I’ve ever had.
It’s moist but well baked, and the jam is pretty decent. ”
Vanessa seemed to glow, presumably from the heat in the building. Joey could feel Dani and Carmen’s eyes on her.
“Well, that is high praise from you, Josefina,” said Carmen.
“I appreciate it,” said Vanessa. “But of course, I want to learn how to bake ensaimadas and all the other delicious treats you serve here, and take them back home.”
“Well, I think perhaps we can come to an arrangement here,” Carmen said, looking pointedly at Joey.
Joey knew what was coming and cut her off. “It’s been a long morning. Vanessa, you must be exhausted and in need of a break. Have you even had lunch?”
“Of course,” exclaimed Carmen, jumping up and disappearing into the kitchen to find Vanessa something to eat.
“Are you busy tomorrow evening, Vanessa?” asked Dani, an innocent smile playing on her lips. Joey shot her a mutinous look.
“Um, no, not really,” said Vanessa, her eyebrows raised.
“I’m having a little gathering at my place, if you’d like to come. Joey will be there. She can walk you there, can’t you?” Dani looked at Joey and gave her a subtle wink.
“Mmmm,” said Joey, pursing her lips. She hated being manipulated, and she knew exactly what Dani was doing.
But how bad could it be? Vanessa would be vanishing back to England in a matter of weeks.
No one really thought anything would happen, did they?
Joey knew it wouldn’t. A woman who looked like Vanessa did would no doubt have her pick of potential partners, and she might not even be gay or bi or pan or whatever. She would have words with Dani later.
“I’d love to,” said Vanessa with a grin. “Ooh, thanks, Carmen.” She’d been presented with bread, olives and padrón peppers alongside some homemade lemonade.
“Lemonade, ladies?” she asked Joey and Dani.
“Sorry, I have to get going. I’m teaching an English class in a minute,” said Dani.
“And I need to finish up in the kitchen,” said Joey, taking the first opportunity to leave the cafe area and escape into the kitchen, now that it was once again her own.
She walked into the kitchen and leaned back against the metal work surface. She breathed. Why was she feeling so out of sorts? She looked around. Vanessa had tidied up after herself. Well, that was something at least.
“So,” said Carmen, who had crept in behind her. “You will teach her Spanish baking?”
Joey knew it was less a question and more a command. She owed Carmen so much. She scowled. Carmen added, more quietly this time. “Like I taught you.”
Joey nodded her head slowly. “Ok, but she’d better not be too annoying.”
Carmen laughed.