paperwork in a black zipped case in her hand and Max guessed it would be more on the plans she was championing for a series of lectures she was hoping to lead the following year. He approved; this ambition – the very reason she had got the job. The proposal had both academic merit with the welcome (and these days essential) bonus that it would almost certainly be a hit with foreign students. Keep the money men happy.
But that was not what Max was thinking. What he was thinking was that Anna Merrivale smelt of baby’s talcum powder. He had noticed that last week also. Not grown-up perfume – but baby’s talcum powder.
‘Won’t take five minutes. Promise.’
Max took a very long slurp of coffee and glanced to the window, trying very hard not to look at the peak of bra strap. Not long until take-off and now he was working out in his head what time he could relax. Check online that Melissa had landed safely.
‘Sorry. Is this not a good time, Max?’
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Cheese Straws
4 oz plain flour
2oz butter
2 oz mature cheese (best you can afford)
1 egg yolk
Salt and cayenne pepper to taste
Cold water
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Preheat oven to 200. Season flour with the salt and cayenne pepper and rub in the butter. Mix together with cheese, egg yolk and water to make a stiff dough. Roll out pastry thinly and cut into narrow strips. Place on greased baking tray and cook for 10-15 minutes until a pale golden colour. Cool slightly on the tray and then transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.
Second recipe and I am feeling a little less panicky, Melissa. I am hoping that, by now, you will be calmer and more understanding of what I am trying to share here.
Do you like the picture? It’s from a while back – the first time we made these together. I have chosen the cheese straws next because I am hoping that you will remember the ‘Jaw’s Straws’ saga?
A recap – just in case. Cheese straws have always been one of your Dad’s favourites. He likes them to ‘bite back’ so I tend to go heavy on the cayenne. So the first time that you and I made them together I came up with this little joke. The ‘Jaws Straws’… which would bite him back a little harder than he bargained for. (You will recall it was your father who ‘accidentally’, ahem, let you see Jaws far too young. Enough said.)
Is this coming back now?
We made the usual couple of dozen straws and then to three of the strips I rolled inside a huge quantity of really strong cayenne – right through the middle.
Oh Lordy! I thought we had given him a heart attack. Of course we hadn’t. Though it was so worth it. Can’t tell you how happy it makes me, Melissa, to think of how hard we all laughed. Your dad too…
And that’s the point of this second scribbling. I really don’t want you to be hanging onto all the sad bits. Especially with me popping up out of the blue like this.
I do so hope you will remember how much we laughed. And that I hope your lives – both you and Dad – are full of it still. Laughter.
Tricky for me this because I write, assuming that he will be with someone else by now and I want to tell you that I am completely OK with that. More than OK. I have tried to discuss this with him but it’s too hard. So if he is being too fussy, have a word – won’t you?
And while we’re on the topic of princes (and frogs) – I rather wonder where you will be? Much too young to be worried if it has not come good yet, of course but be reassured that – well – we all kiss a few frogs. Gawd. I did.
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Eleanor leant back in her seat to review the page and, as always, blow gently on the ink to dry the final lines. She twisted her mouth then and felt suddenly guilty. She had promised honesty. The truth? It made her physically sick to even think about it. Max with someone else.
Eleanor went over to the window to see him appear around the corner. As always, he stopped just shy of the door to bend down, palms on bent knees. She smiled, taking in every little
Amira Rain, Simply Shifters