Later that day, Joe, Beth, and Charlotte returned to the bakery, their hearts buoyed by the success of their impromptu marketing event. As the door to the bakery swung open, they were greeted by an unexpected sight - a crowd gathered, eagerly waiting for more samples of their now-famous avocado toast.
A collective gasp went through the motley group as the heroes of the hour made their entrance, the smell of fresh bread and avocados wafting out behind them. 'Look, it's them!' someone in the crowd shouted, pointing excitedly. The bakery had never been so full, the air buzzing with anticipation and the aroma of fresh-baked bread.
Joe felt a rush of adrenaline at the sight. He exchanged glances with Beth and Charlotte, a grin spreading across his face. 'Well, aren't we popular,' he joked, tying on his apron. Beth laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Let the toasting begin!" she announced, to cheers from the crowd and a playful groan from Charlotte.
The trio set to work, turning out slices of avocado toast with an efficiency and flair that was captivating to watch. The crowd was spellbound, watching as the humble ingredients were transformed into a breakfast dish that had captivated the town.
Flour dusted, avocado smeared, and laughing despite the chaos, the trio worked through the night, serving up slices of their signature dish to the enthusiastic crowd. The bakery echoed with laughter, the clink of dishes and the hum of conversation, a testament to the magic of food, friendship, and a little bit of daring.
As the hubbub of the bakery continued into the night, Joe found a rare quiet moment to confide in Beth. His face was flushed from the heat of the oven and the excitement of the evening, his eyes shining bright with the thrill of success. However, a hint of worry lurked in those eyes as he turned to Beth.
'You know, Beth,' he began, his voice barely above a whisper, 'I couldn't be happier about how well we're doing. The bakery...it's more successful than I could have ever imagined.' He paused, glancing around at the throng of satisfied customers.
'But there's one thing that's been bothering me.' He continued, a hint of melancholy creeping into his voice. Beth, busy with kneading the dough, looked up in concern. 'What's wrong, Joe?' she asked. There was a pause before Joe responded, 'We're almost out of coffee.' He confessed, his voice barely a whisper as if he was revealing a secret. 'I might have to learn to like chicsum drinks.' His face pulled into a grimace at the idea of it. Beth laughed at his expression, her eyes twinkling with mischief. 'Oh Joe, the things we do for love... of food!', she teased, wiping her hands on her apron. 'Well, a chicsum drink might not be so bad, you know.' The bakery echoed with their laughter, the stress of running low on coffee momentarily forgotten.
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As the last customer left, Joe untied his apron, hanging it neatly on the hook by the door. The familiar weight lifted from his shoulders, replaced by a sense of accomplishment. Turning to Beth, he tried to suppress a knowing grin. 'Beth, I've got to head back up to the mountains,' he began, his voice reflecting the reluctance he felt at leaving the lively atmosphere behind. 'My goats are probably missing me by now.'
Beth, ever the humble and generous soul, reached into the till, pulling out a stack of coins. 'Here, Joe,' she said, extending the money to him, 'Your cut of the royalties. You more than earned it.'
Joe looked at the money, then back at her, his eyes wide in surprise. He shook his head, pushing her hand back gently, the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. 'Nah, Beth,' he said, his tone light but firm, 'Consider this a free sample. I'll start taking my cut tomorrow.'
Beth looked taken aback, but the softness in Joe's eyes suggested he wouldn't budge on this. 'Alright, Joe,' she said finally, her voice warm with gratitude and respect. She carefully placed the money back into the till, her heart swelling with admiration for her friend.
Beth nodded, her eyes sparkling with understanding. Walking over to a nearby counter, she picked up a carefully wrapped package. 'Here, Joe,' she said warmly, pressing the package into his hands. "It's a special baked pastry, my mother's recipe."
The surprise in Joe's eyes quickly gave way to appreciation. He valued everything Beth baked, but this was something more - a part of her heritage, a piece of her heart. 'Thank you, Beth,' he said, his voice filled with gratitude. He gave one last glance around the bakery, the now-empty room echoing with the memories of a successful day. And with that, he headed out the door, back to his goats and his mountain, the special pastry cradled protectively in his hand.
As Joe stepped outside, the cool night air washing over him, he spotted two figures approaching the town. Squinting in the moonlight, he saw a young master type in gaudy robes with striking features and an older man, who carried an air of wisdom and strength around him despite his frayed hems and muted colours. A small goose with a lightning bolt symbol rested on his chest. 'Well, this will be interesting,' Joe muttered to himself, his eyes never leaving the pair as they journeyed towards the heart of the town, heading for Flanno's residence.
The young master appeared excited, curiously peering into the quiet houses and shops, while the older man remained stoic, his eyes focused on the path ahead. As they neared the bakery, Joe couldn't help but wonder what change these two might bring to their peaceful slice of life.
As the cultivators passed by Joe, an unexpected aroma filled the air, causing him to pause. It was a scent that was deeply familiar, yet oddly out of place at this time of night. He sniffed the air, the scent tickling his senses and instantly triggering a cascade of memories. It was a rich, bold aroma but with a tang he couldn't quite place, a scent he had come to associate with early morning vigour and success in business.
'Wait a minute,' he mused, his gaze trailing the two cultivators who were now almost at Flanno's doorstep. What did this mean?
Why did these two smell like coffee?