‘But I haven’t paid my way.’
‘This one’s on me. Come on, you certainly need a distraction.’
He always thought he could camouflage his emotions quite well. Maybe Debra was too much of a professional in the field of sadness.
‘Hello, Deb,’ said a young lad. ‘I have laid out all the ingredients for the chocolate fudge cake. See?’ His pale eyes scanned the items as his finger checked over each one.
‘Ooh, well done, Alfie.’ Debra approached the white countertop to take a closer look. ‘I look forward to having a slice.’
‘It’s for my mum,’ said Alfie, still bouncing a finger over the items. ‘Wait. I can adjust my calculations.’ He stopped moving his hand and silently stared at the round eight-inch cake tin. ‘Yes, I can cut you a slice.’ He looked up at Will. ‘Are you having one too?’
Will wasn’t sure what to say. The lad hardly looked impressed that he had to alter his slice sizes the first time. Did he really need to stress the youngster further?
Debra jumped in. ‘I was wondering if Will could help you make your cake. He’s new so might need some guidance.’
Will breathed out a small laugh. ‘Might? Try, definitely.’
Alfie stepped closer, offering a hand. ‘I can show you, Will.’
Will went to hold his hand, but Alfie quickly dropped his arm and headed back to the ingredients.
‘We have to put the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet in another, and we have to make a small cup of coffee.’ Alfie gave the impression he was waiting for Will to approve.
Will simply nodded, even though the coffee had thrown him. ‘Where should I start?’
Alfie walked over to the large metal basin. ‘You have to wash your hands, as it’s important to be hygienic.’ He stood still, holding a green tea towel ready for Will to dry his hands.
Will complied as two more members entered the kitchen to make their own cakes. He said hello, then turned back to Alfie. ‘Now what?’
Alfie handed him a white apron. ‘It will keep your clothes clean. Cocoa powder likes to fly off. My mum says.’
Debra nodded, perching on a chair in the corner. ‘Will is a newbie, Alfie, so we’d better make sure he doesn’t use any icing sugar just yet either.’
The lad held nothing but seriousness in his face as he looked up at Will. ‘Mum says, black icing takes no prisoners. You can spread the chocolate fudge frosting. You should be safe withthat. But as you’re new, the odds of you getting messy are still high.’
‘You have been warned,’ said Debra, chuckling.
Will got to mix the dry ingredients in a large cream bowl while Alfie supervised.
‘Don’t stir anti-clockwise,’ said the lad, frowning at the wooden spoon.
Will changed direction, thinking it best to stick to orders, as Alfie seemed to have a routine.
‘When I pour in the wet mixture, you mustn’t over stir, but do get out any lumps.’ Alfie went about lining a baking tin.
‘This is a very wet cake,’ said Will. ‘I thought you had to fluff them up?’
Debra shrugged. ‘The butter and chocolate are melted together with this one, then mixed with the coffee.’
Will laughed. ‘I could do with a coffee.’
‘You can’t eat or drink while you are baking,’ said Alfie. ‘You have to concentrate.’ He poured the mixture out evenly into the prepared baking tins.
‘Yes, chef.’ Will saluted with the spoon, then picked up what was left of the evaporated milk for a sniff. ‘Erm, I don’t think this has been used. Did we leave it out the mix?’
Alfie removed it from his hand and placed it back in its spot on the counter. ‘That’s for the frosting. Please don’t move things.’
Will stepped back. ‘Right.’ He grinned at Debra before turning back to his boss. ‘So, now what?’
