Sweet Delights

by P. L. Harris

  Oh my God, what a body!

  As she climbed out of the pool, she could hear Jack’s raised voice. “Jesus Christ! This is turning into a disaster. What the hell are we going to serve then?”

  The chef just shrugged and looked away.

  “Is everything alright?” Georgia asked as she approached them, hoping she wasn’t overstepping.

  Jack turned to face her. The chef took that as his cue to leave and hurriedly left.

  Wiping down his body with a towel, Jack simply shook his head. “No, everything is not alright. Not only are we one sous chef and one kitchen-hand short today of all days but now the dessert has been ruined. The chef ordered forty catering-sized fresh pavlovas from the top bakery in Darwin. They’re the crunchy kind, more like old fashioned meringues. They were delivered late yesterday. He just went to open the cartons and they’re smashed to smithereens. God knows what the delivery driver was doing en-route. Pavlovas topped with fresh cream and fresh strawberries are a tradition to have at the gala dinner. Guess nobody will be happy if we can only offer ice-cream.”

  Jack’s crestfallen face caused Georgia’s emotions to swirl. She then had a sudden brain-wave.

  “All hope is not lost,” she said. “Have you ever heard of Eton Mess? It’s one of England’s best-loved and prettiest desserts.”

  “Can’t say that I have,” Jack replied.

  “Well, it sounds like you have all the ingredients. Believe it or not it’s made with crushed meringue. I could help out in the kitchen later this afternoon and show the chef how it’s done. Trust me—it’s a simple dish and it’s the answer to all your prayers.”

  “I’m beginning to think you might be the answer to my prayers,” Jack said, as he stepped a little closer and leaned forward. As his lips gently grazed hers, a pleasant warmth travelled quickly across Georgia’s face, causing her to smile.

  “I’ll see you later then,” Jack said. “Around 4 p.m. if that’s okay. You’re a life-saver.”

  And with that, he disappeared through a throng of young people, some of whom looked a bit worse for wear after a hard night.

  GEORGIA FOLLOWED JACK into the pub’s old but spacious kitchen. After being formally introduced to the chef, she washed her hands and helped herself to an apron, food handling gloves and a hairnet without being asked to wear them.

  “Okay, we need glass dishes to serve the dessert in. We need lots of cream and vanilla beans to make Chantilly Cream; Cointreau and Grand Marnier to marinate the strawberries; crushed nuts—hazelnuts preferably, and some dark chocolate. Oh, and the crushed pavlovas of course,” she said. “If you can grab all of that, I’ll show you how it’s done.”

  “Coming up,” said the chef, giving her a mock salute as he began fetching and carrying bits and pieces for her.

  “Can you marinate some of these strawberries for me, please?” Georgia asked him. She grabbed a huge knife and a chopping board and swiftly started chopping strawberries at an alarming speed. Dropping them into a large bowl, the chef marinated them with the alcohol, while Georgia made the Chantilly Cream. Spooning bits of meringue and some cream into a dish, Georgia mixed a little of the marinated strawberries through it quickly, using the blade of a knife to swirl it all through. She added chopped hazelnuts and finely grated dark chocolate on the top.

  “Voila!” she announced. “How quick and easy is Eton Mess?”

  The chef almost swept Georgia off her feet as he gave her a hug.

  “That dessert looks like million bucks worth and you, my dear, look like a natural in the kitchen,” he said. “Anyone would think you were a chef yourself.”

  “Well, actually I am,” Georgia said. “Well, I was—in London. Now I’m technically unemployed, but I’m hoping to find a job as a chef in Darwin.”

  As soon as the chef moved away to fetch more glass dishes, Jack stepped forward and also swept her into a hug. Happy in his unexpected embrace, Georgia relished the few moments the world appeared to have stopped still on its axis.

  Staring deeply into her eyes, he said, “You’re absolutely amazing, Georgia. Not only beautiful, charming, and intelligent, you’ve got a gentle, caring nature. And yes—you even look beautiful in that hairnet. I don’t suppose you’d consider taking on a job here as our new sous chef? I know the owners would love to have you on board. And I know for certain, I’d love to have you here. I felt the moment you walked into the bar yesterday, that we had some sort of connection. I know it’s only been two days but I feel like I’ve known you forever and I want to get to know you even better.”

  “Wow,” Georgia said, as butterflies danced pirouettes in her tummy. “That’s an offer I certainly wasn’t expecting. Thanks for all the compliments.”

  “They’re well deserved,” Jack said, gently brushing her cheek with the back of his hand. “You never told me you were a chef.”

  “You never asked,” she whispered.

  “Now, Cinderella,” Jack said, brushing the tip of her nose with his lips. “Don’t you have a ball to get ready for?”

  “Nah, I think I might sit this one out. There’s work for this sous chef to do—like another two hundred forty Eton Mess desserts to prepare and I’d really like to learn how to cook Barra. Besides, I don’t think I’ll find Prince Charming at the ball. I think I already have.”

  Jack’s eyes twinkled. “You mean you’re staying? You’re taking the job? You mean it’s a yes?”

  Georgia leaned forward and gently kissed him on the lips.

  “It’s a yes.”

  Contributors

  P.L. HARRIS

  P.L. Harris writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense with a twist of mystery and intrigue. Her books are rich in storyline and location with characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. She is published with Serenity Press, Blue Swan Publishing, Evernight Publishing and Gumnut Press.

  Her young adult book Hidden Secrets was a finalist in the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America’s 2017 IDA International Digital Awards, young adult category. Callie’s Dilemma, also a finalist in the Virginia Romance Writers of America’s 2017 Fools of Love Contest, short contemporary romance short category. In His Protection was a finalist in the Romance Writers of Australia 2018 Emerald Pro Award. (Due to receiving a publishing contract from Gumnut Press it had to be withdrawn from the contest).

  She was also a double finalist in round one of the 2020 RWA Sapphire Award and won silver in the 2020 ROAR! National Business Awards in the Writer/Blogger/Author category.

  You can follow P.L. Harris on the following links:

  www.plharris.com.au

  www.facebook.com/plharrisauthor

  www.instagram.com/plharris_author

  www.bookbub.com/authors/p-l-harris

  Magic, Mystery, Romance: Reader group of Polly Holmes and P.L. Harris www.facebook.com/groups/magicmysteryromance

  FIONA COSGROVE

  As a young child Fionna dreamed of being a zookeeper, an archaeologist, a mermaid and a witch. Eventually she grew up and realised a life of mermaid-ing would be tougher than expected, due to her shellfish allergy, so she studied Marine Science instead. Though her day job, which is filled with fish and spreadsheets, pays the bills, she dreams of a time when her nighttime endeavours of writing and wine may one day be a full -time gig.

  Fionna has several short stories published in the School Magazine, Buzzword Magazine, and in the KSP Writer's Centre Spooky Story Anthologies. Though her writing comfort zone lies within places like Hogwarts, with creatures like Big Foot, she thoroughly enjoyed her foray into romance and looks forward to exploring this genre in the future.

  If you need her, Fionna can be found at home near the coastal shores of Fremantle, WA, with her two kids, husband and oversized pooch, listening to true crime podcasts and cooking delicious treats she will regret eating later.

  You can follow Fionna on the following links:

  www.fionnacosgrovewriter.com

  www.instagram.com/fionnacosgrovewriter


  BELLE GRIFFIN

  Belle Griffin has been an avid reader and aspiring writer since her Scholastic book club days. By the time she was a teen she was regularly stealing her mum and nan’s romance novels and forming what would be a life long love of the genre.

  While a day job in accounting now keeps her busy with spreadsheets, she continues to enjoy escaping into the world of words and fiction at night. The Bake Sale Reunion is Belle’s first published romance story.

  ​

  She harbours a not-so-secret love for cheesy Christmas movies and girly tv shows, both of which generally provide the happily ever afters she craves. She’s a lover of country music (particularly the love songs, of course), pub trivia, travelling and procrastinating.

  Belle is a member of Romance Writers of Australia, and resides in suburban Melbourne with her husband, Daniel, and their two sweet dogs.

  You can follow Belle on the following links:

  https://m.facebook.com/bellegriffinwriter

  https://www.instagram.com/bellegriffinwrites/

  HELEN WALTON

  Helen enjoys writing romance in any genre with a smidgeon of humour and a happy ending. When she’s not creating her own stories, she enjoys reading romance books with a strong cup of tea.

  She lives in South Australia with her beautiful family and her menagerie of animals including a large rescue dog who imagines he’s a lapdog, a staffy mix who thinks she’s the next Snoopy (she stands on top of her kennel), a cat who insists she’s royalty, a herd of mini velociraptors impersonating chickens, a brumby who licks like a dog and a chestnut thoroughbred who’s certain she’s the next Phar Lap. They all drag her away from her book world demanding to be fed, kids and husband included.

  She is a proud member of Romance Writers of Australia and her short story Letters to Bring Home won first in historical romance and Catnip Capers won the cozy romance category in their Aspiring eLoop 2019 competition. Helen’s story How the Grinch Lusted after Santa also received a first place in their Sugar and Spice Competition. She was also a finalist in their 2019 Ripping Start competition. You can read her story A Barking Chaperone in the Paw Prints of Love Anthology.

  You can follow Helen on the following link:

  www.facebook.com/Helen-Walton-Author

  ALYCE CASWELL

  Alyce Caswell lives in Sydney with zero cats, one husband, and one son. When she isn’t drinking her way through a giant pot of tea, Alyce is often found sighing her way through yet another Highlander romance novel or plunging into a fantasy epic. She has published two novels and four novellas in her romantic space opera saga, The Galactic Pantheon Series.

  While admittedly a fan of long-form works, Alyce once tied first place in a bush poetry slam after performing an original poem based on a true story — the names of the guilty were changed, of course.

  FRANCES DALL’ ALBA

  As an aspiring author of romance and women’s fiction, Frances Dall’Alba loves nothing more than losing herself in a good romance. She’s all about helping you forget the housework, or the bus to work you’re going to miss, if you don’t put the book down now!

  She’s devoted to giving her readers an emotional, yet satisfying ride, with a love story that’ll melt your heart and keep the pages turning right until the end.

  When she isn’t writing, Frances is climbing mountains, searching for waterfalls and swimming across lakes. She loves to exercise, agrees it’s not fair she has to cook dinner every night, and never notices dust on the furniture.

  Visit her website http://francesdallalba.wixsite.com/francesdallalba and read about the other two anthologies she is part of, and check out her blog for all the latest on her recent writing achievements and amazing waterfalls visited.

  She lives with her husband in Malanda, Far North Queensland, where her day job involves managing and operating their hardware store business, and where the conditions for writing are perfect.

  JAN PRIOR

  Jan Prior has been a scribbler since highchair days. Seventy years on, she’s still producing artwork and writing stories. In the middle years she amused herself by being a screen printer, a picture framer and renovator of old houses. She’d still be up a ladder if she wasn’t afraid of falling off.

  She writes contemporary women’s fiction, with several of her stories recently published in anthologies. Currently she is fascinated with characters at transitional points in their lives—usually in the pursuit of love and/or self-identity. Falling is her first foray into the romance genre. Wrangling a happy ending for a crusty old dude affirms that an open human heart can defy age limits.

  In 2019, she graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a BFA in Creative and Professional Writing. She remains a practising visual artist and divides her time between the small country town of Boonah and the much larger country town of Brisbane. She shares her life with her partner and a sofa-shredding cat. Copious cups of tea comfort.

  When she grows up she aspires to be a tap dancer.

  You can follow Jan on the following link:

  www.facebook.com/JanPriorWriter

  SIOBAN TIMMER

  Sioban Timmer grew up in Perth’s South and now lives near Byford with her family. She produces humorous stories and poetry for adults and children on a wide range of themes and enjoys sharing her work through readings and writing workshops in schools and libraries.

  Sioban has three publications, Toughen Up, Princess and Feral Fergus aimed at children; Poetry – Don’t be Afraid for adults. Her work has been published in various anthologies in the US and Australia and was even produced as a light projection, presented by Adrian Barich at the Joondalup Kaleidoscope Festival.

  Sioban enjoys inspiring others to get creative and encouraging adults and children to write and has also co-ordinated Writing and Self Publishing Expos, literacy programs and children’s competitions. Sioban particularly enjoys finding new ways for people to see writing as a creative art.

  You can follow Sioban on the following links:

  www.siobantimmer.wixsite.com/author

  siobantimmer@gmail.com

  MICKEY MARTIN

  Mickey lives and breathes romance into her novels; despite the dark, turbulent situations and plot twists her heroes and heroines find themselves in. Mickey is a true romantic writer at heart who feels it is important to leave her readers with messages of hope and healing. Her books are filled with casts of colourful, resilient characters who thrive and survive hardships and trauma, allowing the reader to draw endless inspiration from memorable faces who have backbones of steel and hearts of gold as they go in search of their ’happy ever after.’

  Mickey is also a non-fiction writer under her married name, Michelle Weitering; here she seeks to write and make a difference, inviting the reader to question what more can be done to make our world a better place, with acts of kindness.

  As a mental health advocate, she uses her writing to become a voice for those living and dealing with issues such as anxiety, depression, and other important social issues surrounding mental illness in order to raise awareness for mental health. Her family memoir, Thirteen and Underwater has raised funds for Headspace Australia, and Ireland’s, Inspire.

  Currently, Mickey is thrilled to include her childhood hometown, Glenormiston South, into her fifth novel, titled; Soul Keepers of Glenormiston South, a paranormal romance. Here, Mickey touches on environmental and ecological elements as she weaves messages from David Attenborough’s voice, Life on Our Planet, through passionate characters who want to do their all, to save our dying planet.

  Sweet Ginger, is Mickey’s first piece of sweet romance writing, that doesn’t include having her characters face turbulent waters. Quite a stone’s throw away from her usual dark, psychological romances like, The Given Trilogy, published by MMH PRESS. Mickey was ecstatic to be included in the Sweet Delights Anthology by Gumnut Press.

  Mickey is an author-shareholder with MMH PRESS, and is a proud member of the Romance Writers of Australia, Writ
ers Victoria and the Peninsula Writers’ Club.

  She lives in the stunning seaside town of Frankston, in Victoria, Australia, with her very scrumptious, supportive husband Jade, and their two gorgeous son’s, Jesse and Zane.

  You can follow Mickey on the following links:

  www.mickeymartinauthor

  www.facebook.com/michelle.weitering

  www.instagram.com/mickeymartinbooks

  mickeyslba@hotmail.com

  VALERIE LATIMOUR

  Valerie Latimour is a hard-core bibliophile from the southern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. An author, editor, publisher and tutor, Valerie has two adult children and an assortment of pets. With her publishing imprint, Black Jacks Book, Valerie assists local authors with the process of self-publishing.

  Valerie has been involved with Gosnells Writers Circle for over a decade, holding various positions including treasurer and chairperson. She is currently vice-chairperson and editor-in-chief of the Circle’s Showcase magazine. Her writing has been published in several magazines and anthologies, including the 2020 KSP Spooky Stories anthology, Beneath. Mostly writing short stories and flash fiction, with the occasional poem.

  Valerie is currently working on a historical novel based on the work of Martin Arthur Couney, a Polish advocate and pioneer in early neonatal technology. Set in Chicago in the early twentieth century, it delves into the life of a wet-nurse who shares her story as a single parent in the 1030’s. The work is currently titled A Fair Chance.

  You can contact Valerie through Gumnut Press on the following links:

  www.facebook.com/Gumnutpress

  info@gumnutpress.com

  LAUREN LOOS

  Lauren Loos is an author, mother and book lover, living in Brisbane, Australia with her husband, two gorgeous children and a big dog. As a child Lauren was prone to exaggeration, telling tall and colourful tales to friends and family. Though this didn’t endear her to her siblings, it did start her love of storytelling. Penning her first ‘book’ at age seven, she has spent most of her life alternating between having her nose in a book and a pen in her hand.