you’re saying is that I’m still riding the prophecy bike with training wheels?”
“In a way, yes. I’m worried we won’t have enough time to get you where you need to be. We may need to increase your workload.”
I was hoping for some crumbs of praise at my progress. I’d done everything she’d asked of me. Aunt Evelyn’s exacting standards were high, yet I believed I could meet them.
“Vanessa, it’s not that I’m not pleased with what you’ve done, but I don’t want you to become complacent or unrealistic. While you’ve improved, it isn’t where you need to be. Your next goal is to be able to deliver prophecies without a physical trigger.”
I set down my empty teacup. “I’ve never done that before. A first time for everything, right?”
“The tea is a crutch. The sooner you’re rid of it, the more powerful your gift will become.” She moved the tea service closer to the register. “You won’t be doing the samples today. Instead, you’ll assist me as needed. Oh, before I forget. Can you drop by Ines’s bakery right now to pick up more cookies? This way, we’ll have them ready, and if we run out, you can get more when you get lunch.”
“Will do. I’ll be back soon.”
Mornings in the neighborhood were accompanied by a steady rhythm of traffic and curious tourists. I appreciated Aunt Evelyn’s choice of location. Surrounded by beautiful shops, cafés, bakeries, and patisseries, the tea shop’s immediate neighbors were an upscale furniture designer and an antique shop.
Antiquing was a classic aunties pastime and one of Ma’s hobbies. Many weekend afternoons were spent at various rummage sales in the suburbs, out-of-the-way country stores, hole-in-the-wall spots, or posh establishments in the city. They only entered the expensive boutiques for fact-finding. Each auntie hunted for specific items, and they were helpful to one another unless it involved a long-running rivalry like that between Auntie Gloria and Auntie Ning. Auntie Faye, for example, searched for vintage costume jewelry, which sometimes overlapped with Auntie Madeline’s collection of antique brooches. Auntie Suzanne brought home rare Royal Doulton teacups, while Auntie Annette and Auntie Lulu loved royal memorabilia. The twins, Bea and Belle, competed for rare editions of classic novels.
Above all, the aunties preferred the challenge of a great find at a bargain price. Bragging was done afterward at their favorite noodle shops and dim sum haunts.
As I approached the bakery, I saw Ines filling one of the baskets with brioche. Luc walked in holding a heavy crate and made his delivery. The connection between the two was apparent even from a distance. After he left, Luc took a last, lingering peek at Ines through the window.
There must be a way to get them together. Paris was the city of love, yet it seemed to need a little help.
Twenty-Five
I have madeleines for you this morning,” Ines declared as I walked into her bakery. “I think they will go well with your aunt’s teas.”
She showed me a tray of puffy golden shell-shaped cookies with the last third painted with milk chocolate and sprinkled with crushed pistachios. From the aroma and appearance alone, I had already decided I’d be coming back for a second box at lunchtime.
She began packing them. “These have a hint of orange blossom essence. Let me know what you think after you try one.”
“Has Luc been by?” I asked, admiring a display of stacked palmiers under a glass dome. The flat swirled cookies, sprinkled with sugar crystals, called to me.
A hint of a smile graced Ines’s lips. “He has. There’s a reason I look forward to deliveries every day.”
“Why don’t you ask him out?”
She shook her head. “I’ve been dropping hints for years. If he wants this to go beyond flirtation, he needs to make the first move.”
I made a note to speak with Luc. I hoped he spoke English. His delivery schedule seemed regular enough. Speaking with him after he left the bakery wouldn’t interfere with my morning cookie errand.
“Maybe he’ll wake up tomorrow morning and realize what he needs to do.” I paid for the package of madeleines and placed my advance order for lunch.
She jotted it down and pinned the note onto the corkboard behind the counter. “We shall see. I’ve known him for years. He’s not one to take the first step. It’s one of his more infuriating traits.”
“Is he afraid to take a leap of faith? People like that tend to be the ones who are more careful with their own hearts.”