Recipe For Romance

Sally strolled along the riverbank clutching a bag with smiley faces on it. She’d spent many hours exploring its paths with Roger, longing to break free of whatever was holding them back. If altering familiar patterns for something more than friendship would be like breaking a taboo, it also had the potential to be more rewarding.

Sally had always been the ying to Roger’s yang. Or was it the other way round? When he’d moved away from their hometown after being headhunted for a job abroad, they’d kept in touch sporadically, mostly through Whatssap and the odd phone call. The last few times Roger had called, he’d sounded strained as if the distance had become more than physical. Sally was reminded of their differences. Where he was tidy and methodical, the kind to squeeze out the last drop of toothpaste from the tube, she’d more likely accidentally drop it down the toilet and be scrabbling round for a new one. Sally’s shockingly cluttered Beetle was prone to breaking down, while Roger’s perfectly functioning Rover, had barely anything in it.

Roger had always admired the fact that Sally was great with people and an excellent carer in the community. On one occasion, she’d dragged him to a children’s fundraising event, and he’d watched goggle-eyed while dressed as a turkey, she smashed all expected targets. He found it so much easier working with things. If she was prepared to take on the world, caution was his middle name. The only time Roger had really stepped out of his comfort zone was when he’d left an established job to work abroad. Roger and Sally had often laughed at their chalk and cheese-like natures, agreeing it made for a stronger friendship. Yet during the last year, with his calls trickling off, she was starting to wonder whether he was only ringing her out of some misplaced duty. 

Not that she could blame him after the way she’d treated him the last time they’d met. Now, she wanted to tell him she’d only rejected him out of fear! On that occasion, she’d been the stilted one!

She’d been about to give him up as a lost cause when he’d contacted her out of the blue, saying he was returning to his old job at the science park, and would she like to meet up? Of course, she wanted to meet up. She had big plans for the meet up, especially now she was single again. She had to tell him the truth. She’d make up for everything by cooking him a meal he’d never forget.

Roger happened to be a great cook, so it wasn’t going to be easy. Rejecting most recipes as too risky, Sally finally settled on cooking his favourite dish and dessert; like all the best chefs, she’d decided to get the ingredients fresh. Baked Alaska had been Roger’s favourite dessert as a child. Naturally, his mother had cooked this delicious miniature ice cream mountain to perfection. Unperturbed Sally was well prepared; she’d even done a few trial runs on her daughter with favourable results.

So, what could possibly go wrong?

**

During the warmer months, inexperienced punters weaved their poles from one section of the river to another, sometimes with hilarious results. Breathing in the charcoal air, Sally ambled along, until leaving the river behind, she made her way through the city’s spires and towers. Now less verdant, but arguably even more beautiful, carpeted with autumn’s golden leaves, the park tapered into a high street filled with opulent shops and bustling restaurants. Sally only stopped when she reached the city’s market.

Set in a square, surrounded by businesses and an ancient church, its canopies kept the worst of the chill at bay. There were an eclectic mix of stalls, some offering gifts for tourists at inflated prices. Sally’s first port of call was the one selling coffee beans. In the past, she’d visited the stall with Roger who was a bit of a connoisseur. She was on first name terms with the market trader.

“Your usual?” Ted asked.

“Roger’s coming over later and you know how particular he is about his coffee. I was thinking something special. What do you recommend?”

“My Kenyan, Brazilian, and Guatemalan beans have arrived. You could try mixing 20 per cent of the Kenyan and 40 per cent of the other two. That should give you a balanced blend. I’m sure he’ll like that. How is Roger, by the way?”

“He’s fine. At least, I think he is. I haven’t seen him for a while. I’m planning to cook him a meal. I’m a bit nervous about it. Thanks for the recommend with the beans. One less thing to worry about.” She instantly decided she would use the cafetière rather than get in a jam with her new coffee machine. Though Roger would be happy with either.

“Good luck with the meal. I’m sure it will be fine,” Ted called.

“Thanks. Fingers crossed. I think I’m going to need it.”

Nearby was a stall selling fresh Asian ingredients. After selecting the best ginger, chili peppers, coriander, lime leaves, egg plants, coconut milk and jasmine rice, Sally carried them off in a brown paper bag, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

**

By six o’clock the sky had turned a brooding grey. Trees swayed woefully and power lines shook. Sally hoped it was just her mind playing tricks, but she could have sworn there was a telltale scratching coming from behind one of the skirting-boards. The last thing she needed were rodent house guests! The business of having to sort out traps, or lay poison, was hardly appealing. Dismissing the idea, she concentrated on the job at hand.

Keeping an eye on her phone in case it buzzed with last-minute messages, Sally cast her mind back to an evening she’d spent with Roger at a New Year’s fancy dress party. It had seemed like kismet when she’d come dressed as Superwoman and he’d showed up as Superman. She could have sworn he’d been attracted to her (and not just as a friend), but then he’d gone and said all the wrong things, and she’d ended up with Tim, who’d said all the right ones.

Not that she would ever regret the relationship with Tim. It had restored her confidence in men, something she’d struggled with. Their daughter Ellie who would always be the best part of their union was staying with her father now. But in the end, that vital spark had been missing between her and Tim. Fortunately, when things eventually fizzed out, there were no hard feelings.

**

Sally sighed loudly. She was as prepared as she was going to be. Ingredients lay ready on the chopping board and small bowls had been taken out of the fridge. After frying everything in the correct order and remembering to turn the cooker hood fan on, the meal was now gently bubbling away in a pan, almost ready to serve. Flickering candles smelling of vanilla and chocolate set the mood, aromas she knew Roger liked.

Sally made a final check in the bedroom mirror. She was wearing her favourite dress, the pink one with the scalloped neck and her trademark light fluffy cardigan. Her makeup was more subtle than usual – just how Roger liked it, and her mid-length brown hair was scooped up flatteringly.

The doorbell started ringing like a xylophone, and a silly voice announced, “You have a visitor.”

She certainly had. Taking care not to trip over her dress, she saw Roger’s tall figure through the door glass and her heart did a little skip. He was carrying a bunch of pink roses and a bottle of wine. Either he’d forgotten what had happened the last time he’d given her flowers, or he didn’t care. Maybe, he was getting better at taking risks. He’d once told her he was thinking of getting counselling to help him with that.

Apart from a few extra wrinkles, he appeared much the same. His usual serious expression was in place. Comfortingly so.

“Here you are,” Sally said, giggling a little.

“Here I am.”

“Thank you for the flowers. They’re lovely.”

“You look…” His cheeks were flushed from the cold, and he was a little damp, but he did manage to tell her she looked “really nice.”

“Thank you.” As far as she could remember, it was the only time he’d complimented her on her looks. “I hope you’re hungry. The food is almost ready to serve,” she said, taking his jacket and hanging it on a hook.

“The food smells good!” He followed her into the dining room. “Ah! I see you’ve got out the candles. Aren’t they the ones I got you one Christmas?”

It was Sally’s turn to look a little flushed. “They are. I was waiting for the chance to use them again.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, trying to understand one another. She felt him watching her arranging the flowers at the kitchen windowsill. She’d never felt more aware of him.

Finally, she turned round. “Feels like forever since I’ve seen you, Rog.”

It almost felt like they were meeting for the first time. “Well… make yourself at home,” she added breathily. “I’ll go and serve up. Can you pour the wine?”

**

Sally carried the food through in white serving dishes, laying the heated plates on the freshly laundered tablecloth.

“You’ve cooked my favourite!” Roger grinned boyishly.

“Tuck in. There’s plenty here.” she said, returning his smile and waiting for the verdict.

“Well?”

“It’s really good, Sal.” He was the only one who called her that. “The ingredients are obviously fresh. I’m impressed.”

“I got them specially from the market. There’s a great Asian stall there.”

“I know the one you mean. Adds an authentic touch.”

Relieved he liked the meal; she took a deep breath and raised her glass. “To us,” she said.

“The wine tastes good!” Sally was surprised to find him on his second glass. He usually drank slowly.

Suddenly, the lights went out pitching the house in darkness.

“Oh, no!” Sally sprang up knocking over the wine. Luckily it was white. “We must be having a power cut. The baked Alaska will be ruined!” Already, the date – if that’s what it was - was turning into a disaster.

“Would you like me to check the tripper switch?” Roger asked helpfully.

“You won’t find it easily.” Sally was horrified by the idea of him scrabbling around in the cupboard under the stairs. It was piled high with coats, old Christmas tree lights, rejected tins of paint, strips of wallpaper, cleaning fluids, and goodness knows what else. He’d be put off for life if he messed around in there!

Peeping out from kitchen blinds, Sally was relieved to find the rest of the neighbourhood similarly afflicted. “There’s no need,” she said. “It can’t be the tripper switch – everyone’s in darkness. It must be an outage.”

“At least we have the candles,” he said.

**

By the time the power came back on, the Baked Alaska was a lost cause, and Sally had lost her nerve to say what she wanted to say.

“Never mind, you can cook me one another time,” Roger consoled, his eyes adjusting to the light.

In a flash, a mouse ran out from under the sink and disappeared behind the fridge. Sally squealed and hid in Roger’s arms.

“Never mind. It’s not the end of the world.” He deliberately closed his mind to the diseases carried by vermin.

Reluctantly, Sally disentangled herself.

“Oh, Rog, this is hopeless! Just this once I wanted to impress you and everything has gone wrong. Now, there’s this mouse and I know you hate anything like that. I wanted to tell you how I felt over the meal. I wanted you to know I got scared and that was why I backed off the last time you were here.”

“Do you mean the time I came to see you before leaving for what was to be my new job?” he asked.

“Yep.” She turned away, horrified to find she was crying. Now, she had a runny nose and smudged makeup.

There was another flash of lightning, and the power went out again. It seemed no matter how hard she tried; things never went the way she wanted. Tonight was proving to be no exception.

“Hey.” He held out his arms and produced a hanky. “This isn’t like you. One of the things I’ve always loved about you is that no matter how hard things get, you never give up.”

“And where has it got me?” She was amazed he could find anything lovable about her right now.

“At least you’ve tried to make a go of life. Which is more than I’ve done.”

The tension eased a little. “But you’re a successful person.”

“In the work sense, maybe. Not so much the personal.”

 “We’re a proper pair, aren’t we?”

Perhaps it was the wine, but Roger exclaimed. “That’s exactly what we should be! I’ve wanted us to be a pair for a long time. I just didn’t think you did. That’s partly why I left. There didn’t seem much point in hanging around.”

By now, Sally was feeling light enough to fly. “I do want it! I’m just so scared of ruining things. I have a history of doing that.” Her voice sounded muffled against his shoulder.

In the dimness, his eyes were large. “So, you’ve made a few mistakes. Who hasn’t? But you’ve never been scared of anything. You’ve always had enough courage for both of us. It’s one of the things I love most about you.”

“I don’t think I want the lights to come on,” she whispered.

“Why not?”

“I don’t want you to see me the way I am. All messy.”

“I’m used to you being messy. You didn’t look messy when I arrived. You looked…”

“Well?” She feared he was going to ruin things by saying the wrong thing again.

“Really pretty.”

“Wow! You’ve definitely never said that before. But you knew it couldn’t last.” She recalled him collecting her one morning for an outing to a museum. “Do you remember when you spotted that horrible slug trailing across the kitchen floor?”

“And you screamed because you hate anything slimy.” He hoped she wasn’t going to talk about revolting things all night.

“And you were there to protect me.”

He laughed. “What did I do other than pick it up and sling it back in the garden where it belonged?”

“You were my hero that day.”

“Well, never mind about that now,” he said kissing her. “If you want me to stay, there’ll be plenty of time to deal with slugs, mice, and any other unwanted pests that choose to turn up, in the morning.”