Tadfield. Tea time, Valentine's Day. The couple at the choice table near the window at the front of the shop miraculously departs just as Crowley and Aziraphale enter. The angel and demon seat themselves as DeeDee zooms over to bus the table.

Madame Tracy made Black Forest cupcakes. You should order those.

Thank you, DeeDee, for your excellent suggestion. Pot of Earl Grey and two cupcakes, please.

Make that 4 cupcakes.

DeeDee scoots off.

Really, my dear? You hardly ever eat sweets.

I'm feeling peckish. What are they, exactly?

Dark chocolate cake, cherry filling, whipped cream.

Mm. Sounds just tickety boo.

Crowley, I do wish you'd stop tweaking me by using that phrase. I have been trying hard to update my vocabulary and my manner.

And with great success, Angel, if I may say so. Don't become too much of a hipster, though. I love you the way you are. Smooch?

Not with every eye in the room upon us, Crowley.

Crowley turns and gazes into the room, raises a languid hand to Adam, Brian, and Wensleydale seated at their favorite table at the back. They appear to be working on some sort of homework or project with their tablets. Pepper is manning the counter while at the far corner table Madame Tracy is chatting with her three gossips Beryl, Myra, and Edith. There are only a few other couples, as the day is gloomy and rain has been intermittently pouring down. Anathema and Newt walk in. Madame Tracy rises and walks over to greet them.

Why, Anathema and Newton! What a lovely surprise!

We're here for a week, Madame Tracy. I'm assisting a colleague to set up a new shop in town.

I'm so sorry the weather is so miserable. You must be longing for California sunshine.

Newt interjects:

We're actually hoping for more rain in California. And snowpack in the mountains.

Oh yes. Those dreadful fires, I suppose. Tell me about this new shop, Anathema.

Needlework. Supplies for knitting. Lace. Embroidery. If all goes well, we plan to open in about two months. Just after Easter.

Ooo, how exciting! May I tell the girls?

Of course, Madame Tracy.

We've made Black Forest cupcakes to celebrate Valentine's Day. Why don't you each have one, my treat? Now, what sort of tea do you fancy?

Your special black blend is our favorite, Madame Tracy.

House black it is. DeeDee! Black tea and cupcakes for Anathema and Newton, dear, if you please.

Madame Tracy bustles off to impart the news to her friends. Meanwhile DeeDee has delivered Azirapahale's and Crowley's cupcakes and tea. The angel places a cake on his plate, carefully peels the paper wrapper, takes a dainty forkful, and sighs in delight.

Mmmmm. Scrumptious.

Crowley, a cake in hand, peels the wrapper off. Removes the stemmed maraschino cherry from the top, sets it aside on his plate. Takes an enormous bite of cake, rather as a python might consume the front half of a mouse. Two more bites and the cupcake is gone, leaving remnants of cream, cherry sauce, and chocolate shavings on Crowley's upper lip. Opening his mouth as he gazes at Aziraphale, he licks away the remnants with a suggestively sinuous tongue. Leaning elbows on the table, the demon picks up the cherry by its stem, slowly licks the cream off and sucks it in a lascivious manner as he gazes into the angel's eyes.

Really, my dear.

Pepper rolls her eyes. DeeDee giggles. Seeing Anathema's gaze, Newt turns his head to take a glance, then quickly turns back and takes a rather too large sip of tea. Flinches, as the tea is hot. Anathema pulls the cherry off her cupcake and gives it a similar Crowley kiss. Spots of pink appear on Newt's cheeks. Edith notices the ripple through the couples in the room, catches Myra's and Madame Tracy's eyes. Beryl is concentrating on managing a sip of tea, but their flickering gazes nonetheless cannot avoid catching her attention. Madame Tracy turns her head to regard the pair at the window table, and Beryl turns in her chair to see.

Oh good lord. What is that man doing.

Eating a cherry, Beryl.

Well! I've never seen the like of that!

Oh, Beryl. I'm so sorry. Here, have some more tea. Anyone for another cupcake?

A faint aroma of woodsmoke and musk wafts through the room.