A Perilous Cake Pop

by Fiona Grace

  Ali turned on the coffee machine. “Thank you,” she said. “Right now I make cupcakes for the little kids, macaroons for the parents bringing them in, and a small selection of pastries for the sleepy morning breakfast crowds to go with coffees.”

  She gestured to the coffee machine, which was starting to hiss and steam. “Speaking of, how do you take it?”

  “Cream and lots of sugar, please,” Timothy replied.

  Ali smiled to herself. His coffee order matched his personality.

  “So are you planning on expanding your selection?” Timothy asked, as she prepared his coffee and placed it on the counter in front of him.

  She thought back to her research earlier in the week, when she’d been looking into special ingredients for people with dietary needs. Though she’d not made any real concrete efforts yet—having gotten sidetracked by a murder investigation, a love triangle, and a bust up with her brother—Ali felt a sudden surge of vigor to embark upon the challenge.

  “Yes, actually,” she said. “I have plenty of different cookies I want to experiment with--chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, vegan, sugar-free.”

  “How interesting,” Timothy said, jotting it down enthusiastically. “You know I think it would be a great spin that my first column about sweet foods is actually to review ones that don’t contain any sugar! That don’t actually rot your teeth or give you diabetes! Sweets without the sweets!”

  He looked inspired, and Ali grinned.

  “Well, I’ve not made them yet. But if you did review the new cookies, I’d be very grateful. It would be good to spread the word around town, so all those people who turned their nose up at my sweets can come back and try them.”

  Timothy shut his notebook. “Do you know what? I’m thinking the best thing to do would be to come back and try these sugar free cookies once you’ve perfected the recipe. They’d be the best thing to start my career off with. Do you think you can get them done by tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow?” Ali cried. “That soon?”

  But she felt a huge surge of excitement for the future. She’d been wanting to branch out for a while, and Timothy was giving her the impetus to actually do it now. To not wait around or drag her feet. She couldn't wait to face the new challenge head on.

  “Yes!” she exclaimed.

  “Great!” Timothy replied. He handed her a business card across the counter. It had his smiling face on it, and beneath his name at the top read the words: The sweetest reviewer in town.

  Then he glugged down the rest of his coffee. “Can’t wait to work with you!” he said.

  “Thanks,” Ali replied with astonished gratitude. “Me neither.”

  She watched Timothy head back out of the bakery and into the sunshine, her hands clutching the business card. Timothy had really given her a lifeline here.

  She was just about to launch into her new challenge, when she spotted someone else on the boardwalk passing Timothy. It was a woman in a floor length black maxi dress, dragging a big black suitcase behind them. Their long black hair streaked with purple hung over their bare shoulders. It was Ophelia.

  Ali’s stomach dropped. Of all the people she’d harmed in her investigation into Arlo’s death, there was no one greater than Ophelia. She’d accused the grieving woman of killing her partner, of cheating on him, and had completely ruined a surprise in the process. Ophelia deserved an apology.

  Remembering how much Ophelia liked her cupcakes, Ali quickly grabbed the tongs and filled a box with six flavors. Then she raced out from behind the counter, streaked across the peppermint tiled floor and wrenched open the door. The bell jangled, and the seagulls outside took angrily to the sky as Ali flew out the door.

  “Ophelia!” she called to the woman’s back.

  Up ahead, she saw Ophelia freeze. She must’ve known it was Ali calling her, because her shoulders raised up tensely toward her ears. Slowly, she turned back to face Ali.

  Ali swallowed her nerves and paced toward her.

  “I owe you an apology,” she said as she drew up to her and held out the paper bag of cupcakes. “It was so wrong of me to accuse you like that. I ruined Lysander’s party. I’m so sorry.”

  Ophelia looked at the paper bag. Her expression was downcast. She took it and peered inside. She let out a small smile. “Thanks. I really liked your cupcakes. I’m going to miss them.”

  “Miss them?” Ali asked. Then she looked at the suitcase Ophelia was dragging behind her. “You’re leaving?”

  Her stomach dropped. Had she driven Ophelia out of town? The thought was too much to bear.

  “I’m on the way to the airport now. Early flight. I’m moving back to Chicago,” Ophelia said. “I only moved here because of Arlo in the first place. I prioritized him over everything. But seeing Lysander made me realize how important my family is to me. Chicago’s my home. It’s where I belong.”

  Her words resonated with Ali. “I’m really sorry I spoiled the surprise for Lysander.”

  Ophelia shook her head. “It’s fine. You know, I obviously wasn’t happy about what you said. What you accused me of. But the cops called me last night to tell me they had the perpetrator in jail. And that you were the one who helped catch him. So, all things considered, I think we can call it even.” Then she chuckled. “What am I saying? Even? Ali, you caught the killer! I mean to say thank you!”

  And to Ali’s surprise, Ophelia threw her arms around her. Ali accepted the embrace, relieved to know she hadn’t left any lasting damage.

  Then Ophelia let go and raised the box of cupcakes up to Ali, as if in a toast. “These will be all gone before my plane even leaves the runway,” she said. Then she flashed Ali a parting smile. “Bye, Ali,” and turned and carried on her way.

  “Bye Ophelia,” Ali replied.

  As she turned to head back to the store, Ali caught sight of the Ferris wheel at the end of the pier. The ride her father took her on. And as Ophelia’s words about the importance of family reverberated in Ali’s mind, she realized that she would never be truly happy if she didn’t find out what happened to her father. Teddy may well be correct in saying he did not want to be found, but she wanted to find him. Otherwise, she would always have this hole in her heart. This question mark in her mind. Even if she did not like what she found out, she would still prefer the truth over nothing.

  But there was someone she needed to get the blessing of first. She took out her phone and texted her brother.

  I think I want to find Dad, she wrote. Even though he doesn’t want to speak to me, I want to speak to him.

  As she headed back to the bakery, Ali made a resolution with herself. She was going to find out what happened to Richard Sweet, whatever it took. It was time to solve the mystery once and for all.

  *

  As Piper served the customers at the till, Ali glanced down at the phone in her hands. She’d been anxious all morning about Teddy’s reply. The last thing she wanted after the fight with Teddy was to rock the boat again, but Ophelia had made her realize this was important to her. What if she acted too late and never got the chance to tell her father everything she needed him to hear?

  Suddenly, her phone pinged and she felt a little pitter-patter of apprehension in her breast as Teddy’s reply appeared on the screen.

  I understand, Ali-cat. I support your decision.

  Ali let out a big exhalation. It was a relief to know Teddy would be on her side. Even if her quest to find her father ended in heartbreak—as it was quite likely to, Ali accepted—it meant the world to know she’d have Teddy to fall back on.

  Thank you, Teddy Bear, Ali texted back.

  A further ping sounded out, with Teddy’s reply. Let’s not tell mom yet!

  Ali smiled. Agreed!

  She was about to return her cell to her pocket when it started to ring in her hand. She looked at the display and saw her mother was calling her.

  ‘That’s that Georgia Sweet sixth sense again,’ Ali thought. Their mom always seemed to know when she was being disc
ussed between the siblings!

  She answered the call. “Mom?”

  “Allison, my love,” Georgia Sweet began. “I’ve been speaking to Hannah.”

  Ali instantly tensed. “Yes?”

  “Yes. And I really think I should come and see you. I’m worried about how you’re getting on there, with your business, and managing that apartment all by yourself.”

  Ali’s first instinct was to roll her eyes. Her mom and sister were always discussing her behind her back, colluding with their theory that she was helpless and would never amount to anything. Georgia Sweet was the most nitpicky person Ali had ever met, and she would surely spend the entire visit picking apart her life. Not to mention the fact they always fought when they were around one other for more than a day.

  But Ophelia’s words were still reverberating in Ali’s mind, about the importance of family, and she checked herself, her mind turning to her dad. If anyone had any idea where he may be, it was her mother. In the past, she’d refused to talk about it but during a visit, it would be the perfect opportunity for Ali to try and get her to open up. Maybe this was exactly what they both needed?

  “Do you know what, mom,” she said, feeling her heart softening. “I’d really love for you to come and stay. I’ve not had the chance yet to show you everything. To introduce you to everyone. Let’s put something in the diary.”

  There was a moment of hesitation on the other end of the line, as if Georgia Sweet had been anticipating a different answer from Ali and was prepared to push back. Instead, she let out a little, “Oh,” noise. Then, with an air of excitement in her tone, she said, “Let me fetch my diary!”

  EPILOGUE

  Ali retrieved the batch of cookies from the oven and placed them on the counter. She’d spent all day working on a variety of different recipes, adjusting the quantities of the different “flour” blends she was using, as well as the different types of sugar-free sweeteners. She’d known very little about the whole world of calorie free alcohol sugar and was enjoying the sharp learning journey she was on. She had very high hopes for this batch, which she’d made by using ground up dried banana skins for that extra bit of flavor, not to mention the added fibrous benefits!

  Cautiously, she nibbled the corner of the cookie. The texture was chewy enough now she’d upped the amount of butter, and the subtle banana flavor gave it just the final taste she’d been seeking.

  “That’s it!” she cried, delighted. “I’ve done it!”

  From the main shop floor, she heard Piper call out, “Well done!”

  She’d been manning the till all day, successfully. Things were really looking up for the bakery and Ali was looking forward to the future.

  Just then, movement from the door caught her attention. Assuming it was Piper coming to try the new cookies, Ali picked one up and held it out as she turned, announcing, “Feast on this!”

  But she froze, as she realized it was not Piper standing in the doorway. It was Seth. And he wasn’t alone. Standing beside him was Nate.

  “Oh,” Ali said, lowering her arm and feeling her cheeks heat up. Her heart began to gallop. “Hi.”

  It was the first time she’d seen either of them since the bust up in the restaurant, when they’d both been furious at her. She felt her heart race with anguish. Had they teamed together to give her a piece of their mind?

  Ali wrung her hands nervously in front of her. “I guess you guys are here to finish our...conversation from the other day...”

  She knew calling it a conversation was a disservice, but she chose her words carefully. No need to stoke the flames any more than necessary.

  The two men exchanged a glance. They were clearly on the same team now, and Ali felt even worse for having accidentally strung them along.

  “Yes,” Nate said, in a low voice. “We’ve been talking.”

  Ali felt her stomach clench. “I can see that,” she commented.

  Seth picked up the story. “After the fight at The Cove we went for a drink and talked it through. We realized that you’d told us both the same thing, that you weren’t sure about romance right now, that you were focusing on other things. We both realized we were pushing you into something you’d clearly told us you weren’t ready for. And you were just trying to be nice and not let anyone down.”

  “Oh,” Ali replied, a little taken aback. She’d really been beating herself up over hurting them both, and it was reassuring to know they could see that their behavior had contributed to the mix up in a way. “I should’ve been more honest, though,” she admitted.

  Seth nodded in agreement. “Yes. But we’re all always learning.”

  Ali glanced at them, from one to the next. “What now?”

  Seth twisted his lips. Then he spoke rapidly as if ripping off a Band Aid. “I’m bowing out,” he blurted.

  “Bowing… out?” Ali questioned.

  “From this competition for your affections with Nate. I’m one of six. I’ve been competing my whole life. I’m not going to do it now. And I respect Nate too much to do that. I’m out.”

  Ali’s chest heaved. She’d guessed it was coming, but it still hurt to hear it out loud.

  “I understand,” she said, in a small, sad voice. “But Seth, please know I never set out to hurt you. Truly. It was a complete mix up, and me making decisions without thinking them through.”

  “I know,” he replied, showing her both his palms in a gesture of recognition. “You don’t need to go through it with a fine-tooth comb.”

  Ali nodded. She turned her gaze to Nate. “And you?”

  He looked just as grave as Seth had a minute earlier. Whatever he had to say, Ali knew it wouldn’t be good.

  “I don’t want to be your guy by default,” he said. “So for now, I’m out, too. If you decide you actually want to be with me at some point, then great. But I need you to make that choice for yourself, not just because I’m your only option.”

  Ali nodded. Things with Nate had always been a little complicated. And he was right. Just because Seth was dropping out of the race, that didn’t mean she should immediately start dating Nate. Especially not after what had happened between her and Detective Callihan...

  “Can we be friends?” she asked them, hopefully.

  “Of course!” Nate cried, as if it was never in doubt.

  “The last thing I want is to lose you from my life entirely,” Seth added.

  Ali let out a sigh of relief. “Friends,” she said, with a nod of finality. Then she picked up the tray of cookies. “You do know that means you’ll both have to invest in spandex leggings and join in Delaney’s morning yoga session with us now,” she said as she went over to the door. “Those are the terms and conditions of my friendship. You have to access your inner goddess.”

  Seth chuckled and looked at Nate. “Did you know about these conditions?” he joked.

  “Ah yeah,” Nate joked in reply. “I’ve already invested in pink spandex.”

  Ali pushed the door open with her backside. “But you do also get free coffee whenever you want it!”

  The two guys followed Ali through the swing doors to the main bakery floor. Piper instantly looked up from her phone and stared at Ali expectantly. She was clearly desperate to know what the outcome of the three-way conversation was, and Ali hoped she’d be able to read from their body language that they weren’t embarking on some strange menage a trois.

  Please don’t not ask any embarrassing questions… she thought, desperately.

  As Piper looked from Ali to Seth to Nate and back again, her face fell with disappointment. She must’ve picked up on the non-verbal cues between the three of them.

  She opened her mouth to say something, but before she got the chance, the bell tinkled and in waltzed Timothy Clarke, the food critic.

  “Aha!” he exclaimed, as he took long strides across the peppermint checkerboard floor toward the counter. “I thought I smelled something delicious.”

  Ali was shocked to see him. She’d not been expectin
g him back so soon. Hadn’t they agreed tomorrow for the review?

  “Is this the outcome of your experimentation?” he asked, licking his lips with relish at the tray of steaming cookies in Ali’s hands.

  “Um—yes!” she said, trying to catch herself. Despite her shock, she was relieved that thanks to Timothy’s sudden appearance she’d dodged Piper’s interrogation of her love life for the time being. “Do you want to try one?”

  “One?” Timothy said, wiggling his eyebrows. “I’d like to review all of them.”

  “But didn’t we agree to do the review tomorrow?” Ali asked. She wasn’t entirely sure this batch was as perfect as it could be.

  “We did,” Timothy agreed. “But I could smell this delicious aroma halfway down the street, and followed my nose. It led me here. I think we can both agree that’s a sign it’s time to start the review!”

  Ali grinned widely. “Well, alright then. No time like the present.”

  She grabbed five plates from the rack and slid one of each flavor cookie onto each. She handed one to Piper, one to Seth, one to Nate, one to Timothy, and kept the final one for herself. Everyone grabbed a cookie off and began to nibble.

  “Mmm!” Piper exclaimed, catching a crumb with her hand as the warm, gooey cookie crumbled in her mouth. “That’s amazing!”

  “Ooh, yes, these are very good!” Timothy added, nodding along. “Exceptional. Truly.”

  “Oh man, Ali!” Seth said, with an expression of pure pleasure. “That is a damn good cookie!”

  Nate spoke through a mouth full of cookies. “These are awesome, Ali.”

  “Thanks,” Ali replied with a smile.

  Just then, the door opened and in came Delaney. The bell tinkled above her as she sashayed inside the store, her finger pointer raised at Ali.

  Ali gulped. She was clearly here to give her a piece of her mind, one she certainly deserved.

  “You are in big trouble, missy!” Delaney cried as she reached the counter.