Chapter 50
Chapter Fifty
VANESSA
The sun was getting lower in the sky, casting the narrow lane into shadow. Slowly the space was beginning to fill up. The band had started to play and the party atmosphere was growing.
Vanessa held a glass of Cava from one of the local vineyards.
The bubbles tickled her tongue as they went down.
She stood by the door of the bakery, watching people enjoying themselves.
They gathered in small and large groups, chatting, drinking and eating.
She thought back to the conversation she’d had with the estate agent earlier that day. She pursed her lips.
“You look like you’re thinking hard,” said Joey, who had sidled up beside her clutching a glass of Carmen’s home-made lemonade.
“Caught in the act.” Vanessa leaned into Joey, inhaling her now familiar scent mixed with sugar and cinnamon from the kitchen.
“I want to hear all about it, but first, we need to bring out the coca.” Joey squeezed Vanessa’s arm and made her way into the bakery.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” bellowed Carmen. She was standing on a tiny chair. Vanessa thought she looked a little unstable, and fretted about what would happen if she fell. “On this Saint John’s Eve, I want us to celebrate like we’ve never celebrated before.”
Heads had turned towards Carmen and her broad smile. She was wearing a silvery dress, but over the top was an apron that betrayed her profession. She continued: “My friends, this is the last time I will celebrate Saint John’s Eve with you all from this bakery.”
Vanessa was standing just inside the door of the bakery with Joey. She turned her head to Joey in surprise, but Joey just nodded.
So she knew.
“It is high time I retired from this business and spent some time with my family.” The crowd applauded.
“But I wanted to go out with a bang, and how better than to get my two very best bakers to bake the biggest Coca de Sant Joan we’ve ever had.
” Carmen looked over her shoulder. Vanessa briefly made eye contact with her, to signal that they were ready. “Please welcome, Joey and Vanessa!”
The crowd roared as Joey and Vanessa carried the giant sweet bread between them.
It shone with colourful fruit and sugar.
It was topped with crème patissière, and it smelled divine.
As they approached the large table that had been provided for the occasion, Vanessa saw Carl, Dani and Pedro clapping and whooping.
They set down the massive loaf and people crowded forward for a better look. Meanwhile, Joey looked towards Carmen still teetering on the chair, the worry that was etched on her face reflecting Vanessa’s own fear.
“Take your pictures now, friends. We will be cutting it up for everyone to enjoy in just a moment!” said Carmen, to another roar from the crowd. She stepped down, to Vanessa’s relief.
“Thank goodness for that,” said Joey. “I had visions of her going arse over tit.”
Vanessa laughed in relief. “Me, too!”
They moved away to allow the crowd a good look at their extra special bake. “You knew she was retiring, didn’t you?” said Vanessa, looking into Joey’s blue eyes.
“Yes. Not for long, but yes. She told me about it.” Joey looked serious, and Vanessa could understand why. This bakery had been at the centre of her life for more than a decade.
“How do you feel about that?” Vanessa placed a hand on Joey’s cheek.
Joey took a deep breath. “Mixed. I mean, it’s terrifying, the thought of not working with Carmen every day. But I totally understand the decision she’s making here. I would never stand in her way.”
Vanessa felt her own dose of fear. It seemed there were no constants anymore. Nothing was going to remain the way it was. She thought again of what the estate agent had said to her.
“But will you still be able to work here? Who will run it? Will it still be a bakery?” Vanessa’s questions came thick and fast.
“It’s ok,” said Joey, placing her hands on Vanessa’s shoulders. “I’m going to be fine.” She smiled, and Vanessa felt herself relax a little. She moved her hand to the back of Joey’s neck.
“So, not glass half empty today, then?” she asked Joey with a grin.
“Definitely not.” Joey gave Vanessa a long look before speaking again. Vanessa waited. “I’m going to run the bakery after Carmen retires.”
“What?” Vanessa’s eyes went wide in surprise. She felt her heart do a somersault.
“Yes. I’ve decided that I can’t always control everything.” Joey looked around, then grabbed Vanessa’s hand. “Here, come and sit at this table with me.”
They took a seat in the doorway of one of the shops, a little further from the centre of the crowd.
“All the sands are slipping beneath my feet,” said Joey carefully.
Vanessa frowned. This didn’t sound encouraging. But she knew the feeling.
“But I’ve realised,” Joey continued, “that whatever happens, I’ll still be here at the end. I’m Joey Lewis and I am a survivor.” Joey’s eyes shone with tears.
“You are absolutely a survivor,” said Vanessa.
“I know that taking on a business is a big risk, but that’s what Carmen did all those years ago when she opened the bakery. And that’s what I did when I moved to Barcelona.” Joey clasped Vanessa’s hands in hers across the table.
“You did,” said Vanessa. “You really did. It must have been so scary.”
“And then I contacted my dad and, well, his reply has made me think that we might be able to have some kind of relationship in the future.” Joey’s cheeks were glowing.
“Really? He replied?” Vanessa squeezed Joey’s hands. “That’s amazing.”
“He said he’ll respect my boundaries. No more asking for money. He says he’s sober, and of course, he might be lying, but I must confess, I do believe him this time. It’s like he actually thought about the message I sent him.” Joey pulled Vanessa’s hands towards her and kissed her knuckles.
Vanessa felt herself melt. The band struck up a song she knew, and she wanted to stay in this moment with this woman forever. “I’m so happy for you. It really is all working out for you.”
Joey nodded. “You know, I think it actually is. And I have you to thank for it.”
“Me?” Vanessa furrowed her brows. What had she done?
“Yes, you. You’ve changed everything.” Joey looked serious again. “You shook me from my compartmentalised existence. You showed me that sometimes life can be messy and eventful in a good way.”
Vanessa smiled widely. “I love that you feel that way. I can’t take the credit, though. You’ve done all this for yourself. I’ve merely been along for the ride.”
“No.” Joey shook her head vehemently. “You are everything. And I know you have Birmingham and your cafe to go back for. I would never ask you not to. Your life is just that, yours. But I cannot let you leave Barcelona without telling you something.”
Vanessa was hanging on Joey’s every word. “Go on,” she breathed.
“I love you. I fell in love with you that first time we kissed.” Joey’s face told Vanessa that all this was true. “And I know you will leave, and I really don’t know what happens then. But I couldn’t not tell you.”
Vanessa’s mouth dropped open. She felt tears spring in her own eyes. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat to try to compose herself.
Finally, she spoke. “Joey, my Joey. It’s always been you. I love you, too, more than I can possibly explain.”