The Baklava Witch by Laura Greenwood
One
Clover
The scentof freshly baking cake fills the air as I approach the bakery. I don't know whether it's just a general bake, or if Oakley has a wedding order on, but it smells divine. Which is good news for us, it'll mean that we get more sales from the people who live around here tomorrow. It always happens when something tasty is being cooked.
I slip through the side door and head to the seating area where my siblings are all waiting for me.
"Hey." I sit in the seat next to Ash and grab my mug from the middle of the table, glad that one of my sisters knows me well enough to make my coffee in advance. Though if I'd thought about it, I might have grabbed everyone's coffee order from Willow's shop before coming here.
"You're late, Clover," Rowen says somewhat sternly, though it's nothing compared to how she was before she started dating Edward. Love has really mellowed her out, not that she'll admit it.
"Sorry, I got held up on a call," I admit.
"A call about what?" Hazel eyes me suspiciously.
"You know I said that a company was interested in my cookbook?"
Rowen nods.
"They asked me to come in to meet my editor to set up the release date and check out a few of the other things about it. I'm not sure precisely what's going to happen in it, but I think it's good news. Which is why I'm late."
"Acceptable," my older sister says, while my twin smothers an amused giggle.
"I'd hope so. If everything goes to plan with the cookbook, it'll be great for the bakery's sales," I point out.
"Mmm, that's true, once you know the release date we should start preparing for that. Especially if you're going to be busy. At least you can make your baklava in advance," Rowen says.
"I don't think that'll be much of a problem," I respond. "Sales of baklava are down, right?"
Oakley nods her head. "At the bakery, at least. At Cauldron Coffee, they're doing well."
"Probably because Azíl keeps telling all of Willow's customers about how good they are," Rowen says with an amused look on her face.
"He does love them." I smile as I think about our cousin's boyfriend's response to my baklava. I don't think I've ever known someone who loves it as much as he does. "But see, it's not going to be much of a problem. If we know the date, I can make a batch and that should see us through a week or so." I used to feel bad that no one likes my speciality as much as they like each of my sisters', but it doesn't bother me as much any more. Probably because I've found other things I'm good at that none of them are.
"Okay, so other than Clover's cookbook and Baklava sales being down, how are things doing?" Rowen asks.
"The children's range that Ash suggested is going strong," Oakley responds. "People are loving it, and they're often coming in with their kids to pick out treats together, so definitely worth continuing. I'd expand it too. I'm looking into some frosting techniques that could create animal-like finishes on cupcakes."
"Sounds good," Rowen says. "Though we should keep things simple when it comes to the emotions in the kids' stuff."
Oakley nods. "I'm just doing playfulness, nothing more. I don't think kids need much help in that department."
"Though parents might like it if we added some good behaviour in them," I mutter.
Hazel snickers from across the table, drawing a dirty look from Rowen. "We don't mess with people's emotions like that."
"I know, I know," my younger sister responds. "I follow the rules, you know I do."
"At least for now," I tease.
She rolls her eyes. "Only if Antonio goes through with opening his restaurant, and it'll be years before he's ready to do that."
"I can see the sign now," Oakley says. "Broomstick Restaurant."
"Wouldn't it be called DeRossi's?" Ash asks.
Hazel lets out a groan of frustration. "It's not going to be anything because it doesn't exist yet. I don't know what we'll call, or if I'll even be involved, so next time you're around Antonio, no mentioning it."
"I'm surprised you're not banning us from his company," I say.
"I can't do that, you're all invited to a party at his father's cookery school," she responds, pushing a loose strand of bright blue hair behind her ear. I'm not sure why she keeps it that colour, but it matches the fun of the macarons she makes.
"What did you have to do to get us an invite?" I ask.
"Nothing. Chef DeRossi is impressed by what we do here, you know that. So he wants us to come. And before you start nattering me about it, yes, you can bring a plus one. Even Clover."
"Hey! What's that meant to mean?" I ask.
Ash sniggers. "She's pointing out that you're the only one of us who isn't dating someone at the moment."
"Oh that." I shrug, not really caring what they think. I'm happy for my siblings, and I know that if the right person is out there for me, then I'll find them. There's nothing wrong with the fact I haven't yet. "When is it?" I ask Hazel.
"Erm, end of next month, I think. I'm not really sure. I'll get a proper invite soon and then I'll be able to tell you better."
"Good, that way we can actually plan," Rowen responds. "Do we need to do anything for it?"
"Just turn up and be your charming selves," Hazel says.
"What? You're not going to tell us we have to be on our best behaviour?" Oakley asks.
"There's no need, you'll be representing the bakery, I know none of you would even think of doing anything that would damage our reputation."
"Somehow, that makes us all sound very boring," I quip.
"Rather boring and reliable than interesting disaster zones," Oakley responds.
"Well regardless of that, I'm looking forward to going," I say. "And to seeing your other place of work."
Hazel's cheeks flush. "It's still weird to think of it that way. I can't believe I'm being paid to teach people how to bake."
"Can't you? After all the money you put into your education, I'd hope that people trusted you to teach them," Rowen says.
"All that money?" Hazel echoes. "I didn't see you complaining when I came back able to recreate all kinds of patisserie."
"And you won't hear me starting, they're some of our best sellers," Rowen says.
I lean back in my seat, enjoying the back and forth between my siblings. These meetings are always interesting in that they rarely actually do much other than reminding us all that we're part of a family business and that there's no escaping that.
I just wish that my part of it was more integral. Other than manning the counter, nothing that I do at the bakery actually makes a difference to the bottom line. There are some people who buy my baklava, but not nearly as many as come in for Hazel's patisserie, or Rowen's biscuits.
I push the thought to the side. It isn't the first time I've had it, and it likely won't be the last. At least I have my cookbook now. That will give me a chance to feel like I'm doing something useful. It should bring some attention to the bakery that hasn't been there before, hopefully along with some extra sales.
It's just hard when my siblings all seem to get so much out of this. Though I suppose Hazel also has her teaching job, and Oakley has the wedding cakes that she does on top of the cupcakes for the shop.
"Clover, you okay?" my little brother asks from beside me.
"Yeah, fine."
He gives me a strange look, but I dismiss it. I'm probably just reading into things because I'm feeling a little vulnerable about my place in the bakery.
"All right, I think that's everything," Rowen says. "I need to get back to icing my biscuits. Clover, are you here or at the coffee shop tomorrow?"
"Here," I respond. "Willow said that Azíl is desperate for a day off so he's working in the front."
"What does he need a day off from?" Oakley asks.
I shrug. "I'm not sure, whatever it is he does for Sabine."
"Translations," Ash supplies.
I raise an eyebrow, surprised he knows that.
My brother shrugs. "He was telling me about it last time I did a shift there. Something about finding an ancient recipe that he wants Willow to recreate. I don't know, I didn't understand half of it."
I shake my head in bemusement, as well as affection. Willow and Azíl may only have been together for a year or so, but he's quickly become part of the family. Probably because he loves cake just as much as we do. Potentially more.
"Right, I'd better get going," Oakley says. "Justin's cooking dinner."
"I do too, I need to make sure everything's ready for my meeting," I say.
Rowen nods. "See you tomorrow, Clo."
"See you." I get to my feet and wave to my siblings, heading for the door. I love them to pieces, But I have to admit that I'm glad to be leaving. Sometimes, it feels like my entire life has been about the bakery, and I'm glad to have something that's just mine. Even if that something is a cookbook that's about the bakery. So maybe it doesn't count. But at the same time, it's mine, and that's something no one can take away from me.
