by Julie Caplin
‘Toddy?’ Bella’s lips mashed together in a curious half-grimace that looked as if she was biting back a snort.
‘Yeah, Toddy McLennan. You do know him, right? I mean, everyone knows Toddy.’
‘Of course we know Todd,’ interjected Sophie smoothly, sensing Alessandra’s growing irritation. She was like a toddler, her attention span was of the short variety.
‘How do you know him?’ she asked with a sudden petulant frown.
Except when it came to Todd, apparently.
‘He’s …’ A sudden memory of him laughing across at her as he did the washing-up, insisting he deserved a reward, almost floored her. The words stalled in her throat and for a second she couldn’t breathe, the pain felt so real.
‘He’s my cousin,’ said Bella, interrupting, sending Sophie a quick concerned glance.
‘Cool.’ Alessandra flopped back in her chair. ‘Does this place have any water? I’m exhausted already.’
‘Do you want me to get you some?’
Alessandra lifted a slim wrist and squinted at her watch. ‘Is this gonna take much longer?’
Seeing the tightness around Bella’s mouth, Sophie laid a quick hand on her arm.
‘No, I think I know what you’re looking for. You want a showstopper. The best cake in town. Something everyone will be talking about weeks later.’
‘You got it.’ She flicked her hair over her shoulder in the first show of animation since she’d arrived.
‘Have you decided on your dress yet?’
Alessandra uncrossed her legs and crossed them again, enthusiasm suddenly appearing on her face. ‘Oh yes,’ she purred with feline sultriness.
‘How do you do it?’ asked Bella as she put a glass of prosecco with a thump in front of Sophie, who’d already started a preliminary sketch for Alessandra. Sophie snorted, amused by the combination of irritation and admiration in her voice.
‘It’s a talent,’ Sophie teased as Bella juggled her full glass and laptop while trying to sit down on the sofa opposite. ‘You’re going to spill that.’ She rescued the glass and put it on the table as Bella flipped open the laptop.
‘Hmph,’ grunted Bella, tapping with one finger at the keyboard balanced precariously on her lap, while grabbing her glass again. ‘What a diva, although the idea of modelling the cake on her dress is nothing short of brilliant. You’re a genius.’
‘Not really, it didn’t take much to work out she wasn’t the least bit interested in the cake per se. It’s another tick on the list. An accessory. The minute she lit up about the dress, I knew. That’s the main event for her, all she’s interested in. She never even mentioned her fiancé.’
‘You sound positively cynical. I thought you were the romantic. Men aren’t that interested anyway.’
‘They might not be, but the cake should be a reflection of the bride and groom’s partnership. It should mean something. A unique reflection of your love. I know. I know.’ She stopped to lean over the coffee table and poke Bella in the ribs, when the other girl pulled a bleurgh face. ‘You think I’m being cheesy. But weren’t you the one who said to me, There’s just something about a cake. It says love. It’s like a tiny handheld hug?’
Bell held her hands up in surrender, the laptop listing dangerously to one side. ‘Yes, you’re right. Do you think she’s even factored a bridegroom into the whole thing? She didn’t talk about him once.’
‘Which is why the dress was the thing to focus on. Obvious, really.’
‘Still think you’re brilliant.’
‘You’re the one that will be doing all the fancy icing.’ Sophie shuddered. ‘Belgian lace sounds horrendously fiddly to me.’
‘Yeah, but it will look stunning. You’re a star. Especially for the name drop. She was dead impressed, Lady Sophie. I think that’s what made her listen to start with.’
Sophie shrugged it off. ‘You need to thank your cousin for the recommendation.’ Her mouth twisted and the familiar sick feeling taunted her stomach.
Bella leaned over and patted her hand. ‘He owes me. You don’t. And I know you avoid using your title, so I really appreciate it.’
Sophie blinked hard. ‘Don’t. It’s me that should be thanking you.’
‘For what?’
‘Looking after me this weekend and this week.’
‘I need you. Just looking at my inbox is making my head hurt. There are quite a few enquiries, although some of them are, frankly, nuts.’
‘Really?’
‘Listen to this one: I’m looking for a cake the weekend after next.’
‘Two weeks’ time?’
‘Yup, because I really am Wonder Woman.’
‘You did have the sparkly boots,’ Sophie pointed out with a mischievous grin.
Bella threw the prosecco cork at her.
‘OK, how about this one: We require a four-tier chocolate-sponge wedding cake to feed two hundred and fifty guests. Our budget is a hundred dollars.’
‘Teaspoon-sized portions?’ suggested Sophie with another grin, getting up and moving to sit next to her to peer over her shoulder at the emails. ‘That one’s not so bad.’
‘A cake that is dog friendly?’
‘I didn’t read that far down. How about that one? My daughter’s theme is rose-pink and cream and she’d like a traditional sponge cake with flowers.’
‘Ah, a sensible woman. I like her. She’s a yes.’
‘And what about that one?’ Sophie pointed to an email entitled Star Wars themed cake.
‘Dear Sir or Madam, we’re interested in having a Star Wars themed cake at our wedding. Would you be able to create a Death Star cake? The bride will be d-dressing …’ Bella stifled a giggle, ‘as Princess Leia and the g-gr-oom as …’ she lost it, snorting prosecco out of her nose all over the screen, ‘Chewbacca.’
It took a while for the two of them to regain their equilibrium.
‘Oh sweet Mary, this one takes the cake.’ Bella flapped her hand. ‘This cake has to be special … that’s good, because I regularly make non-special cakes.’
‘Don’t be mean.’ Sophie leaned over to read the rest of the email.
‘On our wedding day … Aw, it’s a he,’ Bella paused, ‘OK, we’ll forgive him. I want to give my bride the sun, the moon and the stars,’ she slowed her words, ‘show her that she makes my world a brighter place to be in and my life infinitely better for her being in it.’
Bella sat back and both of them were momentarily silenced.
‘Wow, that’s rather lovely,’ said Sophie.
‘Lovely,’ echoed Bella faintly. ‘But as much use as a chocolate teapot if you’re designing a wedding cake.’
‘It’s a challenge, for sure. And very romantic.’
‘And flaky. This one sounds more promising: Eleanor’s cake was wonderful and as I’m a hat designer, I’d really love a hat-themed cake. When would be convenient to meet up for us to discuss ideas?’
Sophie sat up, wriggling to gain purchase on the soft cushions of the sofa. ‘Now that’s a gift. I remember seeing a gorgeous cake made of a stack of vintage hat boxes in pastels.’
‘Ooh yes, hat boxes. Perfect. Let me Google.’
Before long they had finished the bottle of prosecco and Sophie’s notebook was full of scribbled notes, website addresses and rough sketches.
‘What would I do without you?’ asked Bella as they began to tidy up.
‘You’d be fine.’ Sophie rubbed at her eyes. Helping Bella was about the only thing that had got her through this week. ‘What would I do without you? I … I really appreciate you …’ her voice shook. ‘Especially when he’s your cousin. Don’t feel you can’t see him, because of me.’
‘I don’t want to see the useless oaf. In fact, maybe I should give him a piece of my mind, which is probably why he’s avoiding me too. He hasn’t called in for coffee all week.’
‘Don’t be mad at him. It’s me that broke the rules. Promise me you’ll call him, make sure you see him. He needs people around him w
ho love him.’
‘Sophie, you are far too nice.’
‘Not really.’
‘Yes, you are. He’s been so much happier since you’ve been around. I wish he could see that he needs you. You’re so good for him.’
‘I think so too, but he’s not listening. All I can do is be myself. I love him. He needs people even if he doesn’t think he does.’
‘Again, you are too nice. He doesn’t deserve it.’
‘Oh, I’m not being nice to him.’ Sophie gave an evil grin, or as evil as was possible for her. ‘He thinks he can charm me back into being friends. Don’t you worry, I’m not going to make it easy for him.’
Chapter 31
‘I hear you and Todd broke up.’ Sophie turned to face the voice from the corner of the lift.
‘Paul.’
‘You OK?’
‘Fine, thanks.’
‘You still mad at me?’
‘Not really. Just fed up with the male race in general.’
‘Ouch. I realise I was a bit insensitive, mentioning Pamela. Just trying to be honest why I couldn’t invite you for the holiday. I should have explained. She dates too. It’s not—’
‘Paul, it’s fine.’
‘You headed out for lunch?’
She nodded. She wasn’t really that hungry but sitting opposite Todd, who was on the phone to his new flavour of the week, Leticia, was more than she could bear. It might have been easier if she thought he was OK. The worst thing was that he didn’t look happy. To anyone else he might, but she knew him. His laugh was a little bit forced, the lines around his mouth were a little more pronounced and the purple shadows under his eyes seemed to darken on a daily basis. Not that she was much better, continuing to channel Pollyanna’s love child for all she was worth.
She gritted her teeth. It would get better. She had no false hope that he would change his mind, but one day they’d get back to that friendship. He needed a good friend. And one day she’d forgive his idiocy to be that friend again. It was going to take her a little time. Of course, he had no idea that she’d decided to stay and he certainly didn’t have the right to know.
‘Gee, there’s a lot going on inside that head of yours,’ commented Paul, making her realise she’d been pulling all sorts of faces.
With a forced laugh, she denied it. ‘Nothing special.’
The words echoed in her head. Since she’d read the groom’s rather heart-warming email last week, she’d been wrestling with ideas, much to Bella’s disgust, who thought the brief was too cheesy and insubstantial to consider taking any further.
‘Can I tempt you with lunch?’ Paul’s words interrupted her train of thought, chasing away the glimmer of an idea that had floated into the periphery of her mind. ‘My treat. An apology for being a dickhead?’
Charmed by his unexpected bluntness, Sophie found herself agreeing.
They piled out onto the sidewalk with a tide of other office workers escaping their desks for a quick burst of sunshine. The weather over the weekend had been miserable, heralding the coming fall, although Sophie still wanted to say autumn all the time. She’d just about managed to come to terms with sidewalk, cilantro and sweater.
‘Where do you fancy?’
‘Would you mind Italian? Mario’s. Do you know it?’
‘Never been there, but didn’t Trudy mention it in an editorial meeting?’
‘Yes, I’ve been writing a feature on him and the history of the family and the restaurant. I wanted to check a couple of facts with him before I put the piece to bed.’
‘Sure. Who doesn’t love Italian food?’
Sophie was dithering over whether to have the lasagne or the chicken parmigiana, her appetite reignited by the usual delicious smells coming from Mario’s kitchen, where she could see his wife of thirty years hard at work.
‘Have the lasagne,’ said Paul, snapping his menu shut. ‘I’m having the pizza.’
‘I don’t know. I quite fancy the chicken.’ Which was silly because she knew everything on the menu would be amazing. She’d spent enough time in here both eating and interviewing the whole family over the last few weeks.
‘Well, have the chicken then.’
‘I can’t decide.’ She wrinkled her nose and sighed, which made Paul look up from his phone with barely concealed exasperation. Clearly, he had no idea what his role here was.
‘You’ve had the parmigiana a ton of times before. Have the lasagne,’ came Todd’s patient voice over her shoulder. She whipped around, startled.
‘The lasagne, Sophie. Last time you ate half of mine,’ he gave her a broad grin before adding, ‘or Paul could have the lasagne, then you could share his and have the chicken.’
‘I’m sure Sophie’s quite capable of making her own choice,’ drawled Paul, a possessive challenge hovering in his voice and body language. ‘And I’m quite happy with mine.’
‘I wouldn’t count on that, English here is absolutely hopeless at deciding,’ countered Todd cheerfully, as if he were completely oblivious to the atmosphere. ‘She’s a greedy wee piglet,’ he said authoritatively, pulling out the chair next to Sophie and sitting down at the table with his usual casual confidence. ‘I tell you what, I’ll have the parmigiana and then you can have some.’ He looked over at Mario and nodded. ‘We’re ready to order. Right, Sophie’s having lasagne, I’m having parmigiana and Paul’s having the pizza. And a jug of tap water.’
Sophie could have cheerfully strangled him, but he seemed completely at ease and she was damned if she was going to let her feelings show. Paul narrowed his eyes and studied Todd, who was now engrossed in a conversation with Mario about Italian football.
Sophie winced and mouthed ‘Sorry’ at Paul who lifted his shoulders in a terse shrug.
‘You heard that the editor on Supercars has left,’ said Todd as Mario left, having taken their order. He leaned back, stretching his arms, resting one on the back of Sophie’s chair, his thumb grazing her back. Shooting him a sharp glare, she leant forward, putting her elbows on the table, although she might not have bothered, for all the notice the two of them were paying her, as Paul launched into an enthusiastic response about staff vacancies and moves in the building. Her mouth twitched in reluctant amusement, Todd had done it deliberately. What was he playing at?
Whatever it was, she refused to rise, instead she smiled serenely through every mouthful of her lasagne. Although she refused a single bite of his chicken, he still helped himself to the odd forkful of her dish as if nothing had changed.
Who was she kidding that they’d be friends? She might just kill him before they got to that stage.
She stomped into the kitchen and threw her bag onto the coffee table.
‘Bad day?’ asked Bella, looking up from the cake she was carefully icing.
Sophie was determined not to bad-mouth her cousin. Since lunch today, Todd had been under her nose at her every turn. Appearing in the test kitchen, raiding her desk drawer in search of cookies and barging in on a meeting with Trudy.
‘Just ignore me for a while. I’ll crack on and make a batch of muffins. What flavour are you doing this week?’
‘Cinnamon and Orange,’ mumbled Bella, tilting her head to one side, examining her work.
As Sophie whizzed about the kitchen collecting and lining up the ingredients, weighing everything out in her usual methodical fashion, she felt the irritation of the day start to fade. Cooking always had the power to soothe. Bella left her to it, completely absorbed in her task, the fiddly icing demanding almost mathematical precision.
Once the cakes were in the oven, she turned to watch Bella, humming along to the radio.
Sophie began to smile.
‘What?’ asked Bella, looking puzzled.
‘That song.’ Sophie began to sing along, ‘I want to see the sunshine after the rain …’
Bella joined in, ‘I want to see bluebirds flying …’
When it finished, Bella gave her a hug. ‘You OK?’
‘I wi
ll be. I’ve had the sunshine. I’ve seen the bluebirds. It might be raining right now, but I’ll be OK.’
Bella rubbed her back and put down the icing bag. ‘What do you think?’
‘Oh my goodness, that is so pretty.’ The cake was covered in the palest blue icing and Bella was halfway through overlaying it with a delicate lattice of white piped icing.
‘It’s also painstaking. I’ve reached a point where I can take a break. Fancy a glass of something?’
Curled up in her usual spot on one of the pink armchairs, Sophie lifted her glass and toasted Bella. ‘To your beautiful cake. It’s going to look amazing when you’ve finished.’
‘I’m quite pleased with it, the bride wanted simple and elegant, incorporating her bridesmaid’s colours.’
‘I think you nailed it.’
‘It was an easy one.’
Sophie took a sip of her cool white wine and tapped her fingernail on the glass, watching the condensation run down the side. ‘I’ve been thinking about that brief. The really romantic one.’
‘What, Mr Special? Why did I know that?’
‘Because it came from the heart.’
‘No, because I know you. You’re a big softie. Go on, tell me you’ve come up with another one of your brilliant ideas.’
‘I’ve got the germ of one.’ Sophie faltered, looking across at the beautiful half-finished cake, uncertainly. ‘It’s kind of my dream cake but … I’m prepared to sacrifice it for someone who sounds as if he and his bride deserve it.’
‘Are you sure? And what is your dream cake? Mine changes on a weekly basis, when I see all the amazing designs around.’
‘Remember I told you I love the silver balls? I’d have a cake covered in those. Just that. I think it would look amazing.’
Bella wrinkled her nose. ‘Cute.’
‘It would,’ insisted Sophie, conscious of the other girl’s scepticism. ‘Now you’ve got me worried. Look, I started to make some initial sketches.’ Delving into her bag, she pulled out her notebook and gave her earlier sketches a cursory glance before she handed it over to Bella.