Barbara Elsborg Digging Deeper (pdf)

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wrong. In the end, the decision was taken out of her hands because Josh burst into the
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Barbara Elsborg
kitchen to tell her to hurry. They were supposed to be going to buy the food and alcohol
for the party.
Is that it? Josh asked, trying to see what Flick had spent the best part of the
morning flapping about.
Yes, she snapped.
It was Josh s fault she d spent too long in a harassed condition in the kitchen when
she should have been harassed in the bedroom, although she would have only been
painting walls. After Josh had suddenly announced Flick would be making the cake,
he d handed her the recipe and gone off to mow the lawn. The fact that Kirsten lounged
on the patio, reading a book and wearing a bikini had nothing to do with his change of
mind, Flick was sure. Now he had the nerve to complain over how long she was taking.
Did you remember to line the tin with baking parchment? Josh asked.
Oh shit. No, I forgot but I did grease it well. She had slathered a thick layer of
margarine on the sides and the bottom of the container.
You better not leave it in the tin in case it sticks. Turn it out.
Flick picked it up with the oven gloves and turned it over a plate. When she lifted
the tin, the plate was empty. It was like she d cocked up a magician s trick. She put the
tin down, tapped on the top three times and lifted it once more. Still nothing. There was
no point saying abracadabra. Flick looked around for something to bang on the base.
Josh leaned against the edge of the table and watched.
After five hard blows with her shoe, there was an unpleasant squelching sound
similar to the one their sink produced trying to swallow too much cereal. Flick
nervously lifted the tin.
It s out, she announced. It s a girl, slightly premature.
Josh peered over her shoulder. Did you preheat the oven?
Yes. No.
How long did you cook it?
Thirteen minutes.
Josh opened his mouth and then closed it again.
What? Flick demanded.
Nothing.
That s what it said. It was your recipe.
Josh still said nothing.
What? Flick repeated.
Thirteen doesn t sound very long. You sure it didn t say thirty?
Absolutely. Shit. That probably explained why it looked hollow in the middle.
Flick squeaked. It s getting bigger.
The cake oozed sideways.
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Digging Deeper
She sighed. I m going to have to chuck it away. We ll have to buy one.
Josh lifted the bin up from under the sink. Flick slid the cake in.
Maybe it s just as well, she said with a grin. There has to be a million calories in
it. Three bars of chocolate, six eggs and a bag of sugar. All that and it looks like a
cowpat.
What looks like a cowpat? Kirsten asked as she came into the kitchen.
The cake I just made for you, Flick said.
I ll see you in the car. Josh looked away from Kirsten.
The moment he d gone, she slumped onto a kitchen chair. He won t talk to me.
What am I going to do? Maybe I read it wrong. Maybe he s not interested.
Kirsten, he s spent all morning mowing the lawn so he could look at you in your
bikini. Believe me, he s interested. He s just nervous.
He s sorry he kissed me. Kirsten looked up and did her mistreated puppy look.
Yes, all right. Flick rolled her eyes. I ll speak to him.
* * * * *
Faint heart never won fair lady, said Flick as she drove toward Guiseley.
Josh sighed. Right.
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Nothing ventured, nothing
gained.
Give it a rest.
Carpe Diem. Strike while the iron s hot. He who hesitates is lost. The road to hell is
paved with good intentions. No, not that one.
You were the one who told me not to do anything last night, Josh said.
That was then, this is now. You need to say something. Life s too short. You might
fall off a mountain while you re trekking in Nepal. Tell her.
Okay, I ll say something tonight. Now drop it.
Flick pulled into Morrison s car park. Twenty minutes. No longer or I turn into a
demented axe murderer.
Kirsten had given them a long list and they weren t allowed to come back without
everything. Flick gave the list to Josh and then pushed the cart at breakneck speed
down every aisle. He grabbed food from the shelves and flung packets and bottles in
her direction. Two elderly ladies actually clapped when Josh threw two bags of crisps
and Flick let go of the cart to catch one in each hand. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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