The shop was alive with the sound of children chattering. It did not immediately please the Baroness. She liked quiet refined spaces. The interior was not too busy, thank goodness. Tasteful and sophisticated with bronze trim, it looked appropriate for the cake stands layered with delicious looking pastries. That was what had enticed her in. She had a terrible sweet tooth, always had been since she was a girl.
Whoever had taken it over had renovated the old haberdashery very well. The air was scented with sugar. The young lady behind the counter was slightly jarring, however. Dressed in a garish orange striped dress covered in flour, she bolted from child to child at each table with encouraging fervour. Elsa had clearly come at a bad time. She was just about to retreat when the saleslady spotted her and dashed to her side.
'Good afternoon. I do apologise for the mess, we're in the middle of a baking class. The orphanage day out.'
'So I see.'
Elsa cast an eye over the little beggars and thought it was time to go.
'I'll come back another time.'
'Please, choose a pastry. On the house. For the inconvenience. Anything you'd like from the cake stands.'
Maria could see that this elegantly dressed lady was just the kind of clientele that Frau Schmidt needed and hoped that she would come back.
'Oh. Well, I'm not sure…what to choose.'
She was about to refuse when saw the hope spark in the eager eyes and decided to humour the eager saleslady.
'Come round and take a look. Or I'll tell you what we've got.'
Maria thought this might be preferable considering the sumptuous furs this lady wore wrapped around her. She'd want to stay well out of reach of sticky hands.
'Well it all sounds wonderful. Recommend me something.'
'Oh?'
'Surprise me. Anything at all.'
She was amused to see the saleslady dash around the children, still checking them over, while she selected a pastry. Elsa looked away as to not ruin the surprise. She observed the participants smashing happily away at the dough, trying not to think of the lack of childish glee in her life. A paper bag was pushed into her hands and she snapped her attention back to the gift giver, thankful for the distraction. She thanked her graciously.
'I do hope you'll like what I've picked.'
Elsa rustled the bag slightly, trying not to look. She was curious. It was a long shot but she hoped that it was apricot. She was very fond of apricot.
'I'm sure that I will. I'll return another day.'
'Was there something you liked the look of particularly?'
Elsa cast a longing glance at the strudels, unable to resist. They were a particular weakness of hers. Maria picked up on it and urged her to come back soon.
'We do a strudel tasting plate. We have five different types. Perfect for sharing.'
Elsa smiled hesitantly. There wasn't anyone like that in her life at present.
'I'll come back to try each one' she promised. Maria watched her walk out, admiring her shapely form. She looked forward to seeing this lady visit again.
Outside, Elsa looked inside the bag. She smiled with gratitude. There were two flaked almond pastries. One was raspberry and the other was apricot.
