Chapter 54
Chapter Fifty-Four
JOEY
SIX MONTHS LATER
Joey was feeling nervous. She’d been building up to this moment for so long. It had been easy back in the summer to make plans. Distance lent the project excitement. But in the cold light of day, it felt very real.
“Gorgeous woman,” said Vanessa, piercing Joey’s thoughts. “It’s all going to be fine today.”
“How do you always manage to read my mind?” Joey smiled.
“We’ve done all the work, we’ve made our plans. This is going to be a roaring success.” Vanessa put a hand on Joey’s shoulder.
Joey looked around the bakery. It was Christmas Eve, silver and gold decorations adorned the cafe area and the counter was heaving with festive bakes.
Carmen had retired a few weeks earlier, and after her incredibly well-attended leaving party, Joey and Vanessa had temporarily put up the ‘closed’ sign.
There had followed two weeks of redecoration and upgrading of kitchen equipment.
“Do you think she’ll like it?” Joey asked.
“I think Carmen will love it,” said Vanessa. “But remember, this is our place now. And we’re the decision-makers.”
Joey sighed. “I still can’t get used to that.”
“Well get used to it, baby,” said Vanessa, giving Joey’s cheek a playful pinch.
“And that is why you’re my business partner,” said Joey, feeling better by the second. “Come here.” She pulled Vanessa into a hug, and kissed her on the lips.
An hour later, the cafe was heaving. They’d baked all the Christmas classics that Spanish bakeries were celebrated for. There was, of course, plenty of coca de Nadal – Christmas bread.
“I think we need to get some more hot chocolate on the go,” said Joey.
Vanessa nodded. “I’m on it. By the way, it looks like the mince pies have been a big hit.”
“Ah yes, the tropical speciality,” joked Joey. “I think the puff pastry is a triumph. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted it flakier.”
Vanessa curtseyed. “Why, thank you.”
Joey grinned. She looked around the packed space, delighted that so many people had taken time out of a family day to come and buy their wares.
The bell on the door dinged. Joey looked up to see Sergio, Dani, Pedro and Carmen coming through the door and her heart leapt.
“Welcome!” she cried. “I’m so pleased you’re all here. Uncle Sergio, how are you doing?”
Sergio smiled and waved his walking stick. “Good as new, my dear.”
“And Carmen, how’s retirement treating you?” Joey looked at her former boss.
The older woman beamed. “I have never been happier.” She put her hands on her hips. “But I’ve never been more tired. Those children are a menace.”
Joey laughed. “I’ve saved you guys the best table.”
Dani and Pedro each gave Joey a quick greeting, hugging her before making their way into the cafe space.
“We have all the Christmas specials on this evening,” said Joey, “and I’ll have a selection brought over to you. You are our guests of honour.”
Carmen wasn’t paying attention to what Joey was saying. Instead she seemed to be appraising the space, looking all around her. Joey longed to know what she was thinking. She hoping desperately that her former boss liked it.
“Josefina,” Carmen said, finally, “this is beautiful.” She looked genuinely delighted. “I knew I was right for you to have this place after me. It is your home.”
Joey was overcome with emotion. She didn’t know what to say.
“She’s right, Joey,” Dani added.
“Here we go,” said Vanessa, appearing at just the right moment. “Hot chocolate all round. And some coca de Nadal, mince pies and of course, churros.”
“We were just saying what a wonderful job you have both done,” said Dani.
“Aw, thanks.” Vanessa beamed, and reached out to hold Joey’s hand.
More customers came in, and Joey turned her attention to them. She spent the next hour greeting people, welcoming back old customers and serving up festive delicacies. She was just taking a two-minute breather in the kitchen when Vanessa poked her head in. “You ok, my love?”
“Pooped, but very, very happy,” said Joey. She couldn’t imagine the launch going any better.
“You should be so proud of yourself,” said Vanessa, coming into the kitchen and hugging her girlfriend.
“Well you know I couldn’t have done it without you, especially the interior design stuff. It’s incredible.”
Joey had no idea how creative Vanessa could be until she saw how her girlfriend had transformed the space.
She particularly loved the way Vanessa had framed pages from the old recipe book and put them on the walls.
She’d also framed one of the photos of Teresa and Sophia, as well as another of her own gran.
“Thank you. Now, we should probably do the unveiling,” said Vanessa, pulling Joey out into the cafe.
Vanessa and Joey walked back through the busy space, corralling people as they went. “Come on, everyone,” said Joey. “Time to come outside.”
Soon there was a small crowd gathered outside the bakery, where the sign had been covered over. When Joey and Vanessa had decided to rename Pastelería Petritxol, they knew it could be a risk, but they were hopeful Carmen would approve.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming to help us celebrate the reopening of the bakery, and on such a special day,” Vanessa announced, her voice rising above the hum of the chatter, her Spanish accented but smooth.
“We really have appreciated all the support and positivity coming our way as we’ve done all the work here,” said Joey. “But none of it would have been possible without one woman. Carmen Perez.” The crowd cheered, and Carmen fanned herself, fighting tears.
Joey looked at Vanessa. They gave each other an imperceptible nod, then pulled the two cords that held the cover over the sign.
Speaking in unison, they said: “Welcome to Carmen’s Pastelería!”
This time the crowd cheered even louder. Joey looked over at her old boss to see tears streaming down her face. She could feel them in her own eyes.
“See,” said Vanessa in a whisper. “She loves it. She loves you.”
“She loves us,” clarified Joey.
“Well, I love you, Joey. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and Carmen’s Bakery is going to be a huge success,” said Vanessa.
“I love you, too, Vanessa,” said Joey. She pulled Vanessa into an embrace and kissed her just as the fireworks began to go off.
Carl and his new girlfriend had arrived to spend Christmas with Vanessa and Joey.
They’d spent the last twenty-four hours scouring the shops of Barcelona for the best environmentally friendly rockets and sparklers money could buy.
Joey and Vanessa looked up into the sky, enjoying the light and the sparkles raining down. And then, all the way along the carrer, each person in the crowd began to light sparklers, the whole lane coming to life with a crackle of energy.
“I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be, and anyone I’d rather be with,” said Joey.
I hope you enjoyed reading The Barcelona Bakery as much as I enjoyed writing it!