Not confidence yet.
Maybe the beginning.
Claire said:
“The cake leaves here exactly as Margaret made it.”
Emily nodded.
“Yes.”
Claire added:
“And there will be no charge.”
Emily immediately shook her head.
“No.”
Claire blinked.
“We want to pay.”
“You had to walk into this.”
“That is not Margaret’s fault.”
Emily looked toward her.
“I’m not taking her work for free because somebody else behaved badly.”
Margaret’s eyes filled.
Claire considered.
Then nodded.
“Fair.”
“We’ll charge the original contracted price.”
“No extras.”
“Fine.”
David looked at his sister.
“You’re becoming difficult.”
Emily smiled.
“It’s my wedding.”
“I’m entitled.”
For the first time, laughter entered the kitchen.
Small.
Needed.
Margaret returned to the finishing table.
The cake still needed final transport braces.
The lower decorative edge needed one small touch.
Normally, she could have finished it in five minutes.
Now her hands shook.
She picked up the piping bag.
Stopped.
Emily noticed.
“Margaret.”
Margaret looked up.
“Take your time.”
Margaret stared at the bag.
For twelve years, piping had been automatic.
Pressure.
Release.
Move.
Turn.
Her hands knew before thought.
Now thought was interfering.
What if Eric had damaged something deeper?
What if tomorrow she hesitated again?
Emily stepped closer.
“Trust mine.”
Margaret looked at her.
“What?”
Emily smiled.
“I never wanted this cake changed.”
“Finish it exactly the way you believe it should be.”
Nathan nodded.
“We’re taking it exactly as you made it.”
Margaret looked at Claire.
Claire said:
“Your station is yours.”
“If you want it.”
Margaret looked down.
Then squeezed the piping bag.
One ivory loop.
Then another.
Steady.
Her hand remembered.
By the sixth loop, the shaking stopped.
Rosa returned from the office.
She stood near the doorway.
Margaret completed the border.
Then placed the final tiny white blossom beside the peach rose on the middle tier.
She stepped back.
Finished.
Emily smiled.
“Perfect.”
Margaret exhaled.
For the first time since Eric had spoken, she felt proud again.
The cake left Hawthorne & Finch at 5:18 p.m.
David helped Nathan load it into the delivery van because the wedding venue had arranged pickup staff.
Before the rear doors closed, Emily hugged Margaret.
Margaret normally disliked hugging customers.
She allowed it.
“Thank you.”
Emily said.
Margaret whispered:
“Have a beautiful wedding.”
Emily smiled.
“I will.”
David shook Margaret’s hand.
“You okay?”
“No.”
She answered.
“But I think I will be.”
“That sounds more believable.”
He left.
The bakery quieted after closing.
Margaret remained in the locker room.
Her apron sat on the bench.
Claire entered.
She did not sit immediately.
“May I?”
Margaret nodded.
Claire sat across from her.
For several seconds, neither woman spoke.
Then Claire said:
“I need to ask what you want.”
Margaret looked confused.