Bagels and Blackmail

by C A Phipps

  Her grandfather was living in the retirement community and good friends with Jed Clayton. Mr. Barnes senior was extremely jealous of Mr. Clayton’s close friendship with Gran and the baking which came his way, so Suzy stopped by the bakery regularly to get him treats.

  “I’d be happy if I made one thing that looked like it was supposed to. Although, taste would also be a factor.”

  They all laughed, except Laura who seemed to be lost in thought.

  A space had been set out for each, including one for herself, with the utensils and ingredients they would use in the middle of the counter.

  “Aprons on? Check the oven is at the correct temperature. Okay, here we go. Yeast, sugar and warm water in a bowl.”

  She added her measured ingredients, mixing them together while the Girlz watched carefully and copied each step.

  “Now we’ll leave it to stand for three minutes. While that’s doing what it needs to, let’s get all the other ingredients ready.”

  “It takes a long time to cook, doesn’t it?” Angel pointed at the time of 2 hours written on the recipe.

  “It is a little longer than usual, but to make them right, that’s how long it takes. Those making cinnamon raisin bagels can add those ingredients after we’ve mixed in the yeast to the flour.”

  The level of concentration was amusing, but Maddie wouldn’t laugh. There are lots of firsts in life and in her opinion, with the right encouragement, people were happy to try a thing more than once even if it didn’t quite go to plan that first time.

  “Now comes the good part. We’re going to knead the mixture for five minutes.” She waited for the groans to subside. “It may seem hard at first but it gets easier after a bit, and the bonus is, it’s good for bingo wings.”

  Laura grinned as she gave her dough a workout. She truly came alive once they began to bake, and was rightly proud of her new found talents, although she tried hard not to show it.

  Suzy took a moment to check the flabbiness of her upper arms before giving the mixture

  wary attention, while Angel, tongue clamped between her teeth, began to poke her dough. It could have had something to do with the plastic gloves she insisted on wearing to protect her manicured nails which made her look so awkward. Or perhaps it was the way her bowl slid around her space with the sporadic force being exerted on it.

  Maddie stopped her for a moment and put a kitchen cloth underneath the wayward bowl. “That’ll help keep it in one place.”

  Angel looked around at the others who didn’t seem to need a cloth, shrugged, then went back to her interpretation of kneading the dough.

  Once they were done, it was time to let the mixture rest.

  “More wine?” Suzy suggested, already on her way to the walk-in chiller.

  It was the only day of the week that any of them drank, as far as Maddie knew, and they rarely had more than two glasses each.

  “Any more thoughts on running a paid class?” she asked as she returned. “Plenty would like to join.”

  “Really? I have been thinking about that, but I’m not ready to commit to it yet. I’ll wait and see how my new employee does first and searching for Big Red is keeping me busy enough right now.”

  Angel noted the slight wobble to her voice and began to talk about hiring new staff.

  “Maddie has given me the number for a young woman, and I rang her. She’d coming in Monday for an interview. She sounded very excited and that makes me excited. Imagine if Beth and Luke, Maddie’s intern, turn out to be as good as we hope, how much easier things will be.”

  Laura and Suzy were excited too for different reason. Suzy, because she was happy if they were happy and Laura, because she didn’t want Gran to work so hard. Both made Maddie’s heart swell with love.

  When the mixture had doubled in size, Maddie grinned. “Now for the fun part. We are going to punch this mixture until it says ‘uncle’. If you have something niggling away at you, this is the time to let it all out.”

  Suzy winked. “Oh, I’m going to like this part.”

  “Me too.” Laura added.

  Naturally, they had to wait for Angel, who apparently, couldn’t bring herself to hurt her mixture. Maddie sighed at the tentative punching going on beside her.

  “You can’t break anything.”

  Angel moved her tongue from between her teeth for the length of time it took to comment. “I want them to be perfect.”

  “Of course you do, but we aren’t planning on finishing tomorrow. Are we?”

  Angel did not look convinced as Maddie told them to divide their mixtures into twelve balls, still opting for a delicate approach.

  Patience is a virtue’, Maddie kept repeating in her head.

  With four pots already boiling on the top of the range, they made bagel circles and carefully dropped them into the water a couple at a time. A few squeals, and oohs and ahhs later, it was time to add the toppings.

  Maddie’s industrial range was her pride and joy. It had plenty of room in the twin double capacity ovens for everyone’s trays and nothing could match the look of happiness on their faces as the Girlz put their bagels inside.

  As they washed up, Suzy shook her head. “I feel like that was a great achievement and I haven’t tasted them yet. It’s kind of weird at my age not being able to bake.”

  Maddie shrugged. “It’s not weird. That’s the world we live in. Most women have been working full-time over a couple of generations. The recipes and the time spent showing us how, went by the way-side in favor of ease, which includes packaged or prepared foods.”

  “Not forgetting takeaways, my personal favorite,” Angel added.

  “I guess that’s true, but you learned,” Suzy pointed out to Maddie.

  “I was an only child, living with a wonderful cook. Gran spent an awful lot of time showing me how to bake so I could help her with her orders. Occasionally I’d want to do other things, but mainly I loved every minute of it,” she grimaced. “Apart from the washing up.”

  Angel nodded. “No one likes that. My mom was a terrible cook, so we had lots of packaged food. Therefore, very few dishes. It was years before I had fresh vegetables, and I never knew there were so many because I’d never heard of them.”

  Suzy and Maddie knew the story but Laura was shocked.

  “It’s true,” said Maddie. “I can remember when our friend survived on noodles, and Gran’s baking when she could get it.”

  “Which, believe me, was half the reason I hung around you so much.” Angel teased.

  Maddie poked her tongue out, while Laura was still trying to come to terms with what she’d heard.

  “How did you get such a great figure eating that kind of food?”

  Angel shrugged, having been asked this question many times. “Genetics. One of the few good things that came from my parents. Let’s not go there, okay?” she grinned, taking the sting from her words.

  Laura nodded. “I guess you can’t compare environments. We had a cook so I never had to worry about what food to eat or how it was cooked. Although, I was reminded often enough I shouldn’t eat too much because I’d get fat and no one would like me. The past always leaves a mark, doesn’t it?”

  Maddie could empathize since she’d been left with Gran when she was only ten, and Eva Flynn had never really been a mother in any way that mattered. Preferring to drink and party, small town Maple Falls had lost its appeal for her, if it had ever had any.

  She sighed, “It can if we let it. We don’t get to choose our family, which is good and bad sometimes. After all, I couldn’t have asked for better than Gran. She’s my hero. She loves all of you too, and considers the Girlz her family.”

  Angel was pink cheeked and her eyes glistened. “Thanks, Maddie. With parents like mine, it was a relief to be anywhere other than home. Your cottage was and still is my haven. I’m so glad we moved here when we did and you were happy to be my friend. Being called trailer trash all those years often sucked the joy out of everything, which didn’t change
until I had you and Suzy in my life. And now Laura.”

  Maddie clucked her tongue, the way Gran did. “And that would have been a crying shame, because you’re the most upbeat person I know, who makes us all feel better about most things.”

  “Aww shucks. I love you too. All of you.”

  Angel was sniffling into a tissue, and the others looked like they were headed that way too. Maddie wasn’t sure how it had descended into a pity party. This wouldn’t do at all.

  “All right, enough of this bonding. Let’s talk about what to bake next week.”

  “Chocolate cake.” Angel dabbed at her eyes.

  Suzy shook her head in exasperation. “You say that every week.”

  “What can I tell you? I love chocolate cake.”

  “A little bit more practice is needed before we tackle that.” Maddie insisted.

  “How about chocolate layer cake?”

  Maddie snorted. “No.”

  “We could make scones? They’re easy, and we had planned on making them.” Laura took a healthy swig of her wine.

  Maddie nodded. “Good call. Scones it is. Some can make savory and some sweet and you can share the results like today. How does that sound?”

  Angel patted her stomach. “Delicious. Although, I’ll apologize now to whoever shares mine.”

  Maddie flicked her with a tea-towel just as the timer sounded. Beating the rush to the oven, she made them stand back while she opened the door. The smell had been wonderful while the bagels cooked, now it was heaven as the warm smell of baked bread wafted around them. They were golden brown and shiny.

  “Look at your beauties,” she said as she pulled hers out first then handed the oven mitts to Laura. “Everyone can get out their own and place them on the trivets in front of your station, so you know which yours is. Be careful not to burn yourselves.” She moved back, waiting until they’d done so. “Let’s sit back and finish our drinks while we wait for them to cool.”

  After a while Maddie tested hers and found it cool enough to taste and encouraged them to do the same.

  “Oh my goodness. I made something pretty darn good.” Angel exclaimed, as she scoffed a whole one, uncaring about the crumbs which she dabbed at with a finger and slipped into her mouth.

  Maddie laughed. “You all did, and you should be proud of yourselves. You can put your bagels into your containers, and we are done. Just remember bagels are just as good with a cup of tea.”

  This brought a bunch of groans, since they all preferred coffee except Maddie. Over time with her shop looking so English in decor thanks to Gran, and the variety of tea on offer, they had succumbed and now drank it regularly. Still, they liked to tease her about her lineage, especially Suzy and Angel. As children they had thought Gran was fascinating with her slight English accent, and were bemused by some of the sayings which naturally Maddie had adopted.

  “Thanks so much for tonight. It’s been the highlight of my week,” she said sincerely.

  “I’m sure we got way more out of it than you did. I’ll be by tomorrow to see how you are, and then shall we drop off the flyers?”

  “That would be awesome, Angel.”

  “I’ll come too,” Laura added.

  Suzy frowned. “I wish I could, but there’s an emergency meeting about the Mayor’s position. It’s been dragging on and we have to make a decision right away.”

  Maddie hugged her. “Good luck with that. I can’t say I envy you.”

  “I know where I’d rather be,” her friend laughed.

  She watched them leave, appreciating how darn lucky she was to have her Girlz. They’d managed to take her mind off Big Red for some of the evening, and she knew they would be doing what they could to spread the word tomorrow and every day until he was found.

  Chapter Eight

  First thing Sunday morning, Angel arrived bright eyed and stunning in leggings and a baggy sweater that would have looked frumpy on anyone else. As she walked, her hair bounced softly on the fuchsia pink cashmere scarf around her neck. She also wore a small backpack.

  Laura wasn’t far behind in her designer jeans and navy trench coat. Her red hair was in its usual bun, but the sun shone on it making it sparkle and with the smattering of freckles across her nose, she looked a lot younger than thirty.

  “It’s a bit cool out this morning, but the sun is shining.” Angel looked around the kitchen as she spoke, her voice hopeful, even though she didn’t ask the dreaded question.

  “He’s not back. Do you mind if we leave right away?”

  “Whenever you’re ready, Sugar.”

  Maddie wore faded jeans and a jumper Gran had knitted which sported a picture of Big Red on the front. Tucking a blue scarf around her neck, she put on the hat to match her jumper, picked up her shoulder bag which contained everything she could think of, including water, and they headed down Plum Place towards the park.

  Ethan and his nephews were there, throwing a frisbee in a very rough and boisterous way. Judging by the squeals and Ethan’s laughter they were having a great deal of fun.

  Ethan saw them and jogged over. “Ladies,” he nodded at Laura and Angel, then turned to Maddie. “I was planning to stop by as soon as I wore these two out a little. Any news?”

  She shook her head and pulled the ends of her scarf. “We’re off to put up posters and drop flyers.”

  “Want some more help?” His blue eyes twinkled as he gave her his dimpled smile.

  “If you have the time,” she smiled back.

  “I’ll just check with the brats, but I’m pretty sure, they’ll find it more exciting, than being stuck with me while their mother works.”

  He ran across the road, looking very handsome and sporty in his black joggers and navy sweater.

  The boys were tumbling on the grass still damp with dew, fighting over the frisbee. Ethan picked them up by the back of their jackets and stood them up. He collected the frisbee and knelt in front of them.

  The three women laughed quietly, as the boys scuffed the grass at the telling off they were no doubt receiving.

  Laura sighed. “He’s a wonderful uncle, no matter what he says about them.”

  “He is. They listen to him, which is a good thing, and they’re good boys really,” Angel agreed. “I wonder how he tells them apart?”

  “James has a small scar over his right eyebrow. I believe his brother helped that along.” Laura gave a small laugh.

  Maddie wanted to ask her how she knew this, but the boys looked over at the women and nodding their heads enthusiastically at whatever Ethan was saying, the three of them crossed the road.

  “Hello boys. Thanks for helping me out.”

  “Uncle Ethan said we can be honorable detectives this morning.” James said, with importance.

  Ethan’s mouth twitched. “I believe I said ‘honorary’, but I guess that’s close enough.”

  Maddie bit back a laugh. “We have flyers and posters which we need to give to people, put in letter boxes, or staple onto lampposts.”

  “Staple!” they shouted.

  Ethan smacked his forehead. “What have I done?”

  “Laura and I can take them with us down Maple Lane, to do the posters, if you two want to drop the flyers?”

  Maddie felt her cheeks flame at Angel’s unsubtle matchmaking, while Ethan looked particularly pleased and spoke up before she could think of a reason why they shouldn’t be alone together.

  “Perfect. They’ll behave for you, and Maddie and I will cover more ground on our own.”

  As much as she didn’t like being organized, Maddie could find no fault with his logic, and her heart beat a little faster as they headed down the street.

  Noah Jackson was jogging towards them, but stopped to chat and Maddie handed him a flyer.

  He frowned. “This is terrible. Maybe you’d like to come on the show and put the word over the air? People need to know they should be careful, and to be aware of any strangers hanging around. I could fit you in on Tuesday?”

&nbs
p; Noah was not only the yoga instructor, he was also the town DJ and ran a small station. He often had guests, and even though the idea of it made her break into a sweat, she knew it could have more of a far reaching impact than her flyers.

  “Thanks, Noah. Let me know the time and I’ll be there.”

  “If you bring more flyers, I’ll hand them out, scan one, and put it on my website.”

  “That would be awesome.”

  “No worries,” he called as he jogged up Maple Lane.

  Walking around the outskirts of the main streets until all the flyers and her water were gone, they discussed the pet situation in depth. Ethan seemed convinced the murder wasn’t connected to the kidnapping, but Maddie wasn’t so sure.

  “Do you think the pets still missing will be located?”

  Ethan stopped, reached out and tucked a strand of hair back under her hat. “I sure hope so. We’d better head back, so I can collect Jessie and James, and see if Angel is still smiling.”

  Maddie’s cheeks had become warm at his touch, but she grinned. “How could you ever doubt that?”

  “Let me see . . . Ten-year-old boys who find it impossible be still for more than a few seconds at a time, or not to touch something they shouldn’t, can damage the psyche of anyone.”

  “My money’s on Angel.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I’ll take that bet, and raise you a dinner.”

  “A dinner?” The thought of going out with Ethan due to Angel’s potential issues with the boys seemed a little odd.

  He gave a wry grin. “Okay, it might not have been the cleanest of segue’s, so just to be sure—I’m asking you on a date.”

  They began to walk again, and she appreciated he gave her time to digest it, but she owed him an answer. Her fingers tapped against her thigh.

  “I won’t pretend I don’t think about it, but I wonder if we’re really ready to date?”

  “I think we are, and I haven’t made a secret that I’ve been ready for a while. What’s holding you back?” he said, without rancor.