The Taste Of Apple Jam

Claire was on her way back from an errand.

 

It was to bring chocolate muffins and banana pudding to Count Norton’s house.

 

These errands were usually up to Drew, the husband of Brenda, the boss, but Drew couldn’t come to the store today because he was feeling sick.

 

She couldn’t put it off because it was a dessert for a tea party at the Count of Norton this afternoon.

 

That’s why Claire had to go instead.

 

Claire left the forest path surrounding the Count, stopped for a moment, put two large baskets on the floor, and tapped her arm.

 

It was stiff because the muscles that were not normally used were overworked.

 

She tapped her arm and looked up at the slender birch tree.
The green leaves looked fresh.

 

When she looked up, the blue sky was pretty through the freshness.

 

She didn’t have much time to be like this, and she had to return to the Lemon House and help with the afternoon business.

 

‘Tomorrow is my payday.
I have to work hard today.’

 

With that thought, she inhaled the forest air deep into her lungs.

 

As Claire bowed her head to pick up the basket again, an old necklace caught her eye.

 

The chain had lost its shine, and the purple glass was also turbid.
It didn’t look expensive, but it looked like it would be fine if you wiped it clean.

 

Claire thought the necklace would look good on Isabelle, so she put it in her pocket and picked up the basket again.

 

Lemon House was a bakery run by Brenda, and although it was small in size, it was a popular place in Studehill.

 

It was a place to make desserts for the Count’s Tea Party.
She was glad it was a small tea party today.

 

If it was a large scale, Claire could have had to visit several times or ask for someone to drive a cart instead of Drew.

 

Gladly, Claire opened the door to the Lemon House.
Brenda, who was putting brownies in the display case, found Claire.

 

“Claire, did you have a good trip?”

 

“Yes, Ma’am.
Millie’s maid was satisfied that the quantity was right and the shape came out well.”

 

Millie was a hard-nosed maid who guarded Count Norton for decades.

 

Claire recalled the reaction when she opened the basket and showed it to Millie, whom she met for the second time.

 

Millie, scrutinizing with fierce eyes, said she suffered with a less hard face than at first.

 

“That’s a relief.
It must have been heavy, but you worked hard.”

 

Brenda also said that she had a hard time.

 

Claire was paid a weekly wage and did what she had to do as an employee, but it wasn’t bad to say that her hard work was recognized.

 

“The birch forest path was pretty, so it was okay.”

 

The wood smelled good, thinking, Claire put the basket down in the corner of the workshop and wrapped her apron around her.

 

Brenda, who was cleaning out the display case and entering the kitchen, saw her and stopped her.

 

“There are no customers now, so please sit down and have a cup of tea.”

 

Watching Brenda start kneading the cake without a break, Claire hesitated a little before boiling water in a kettle.

 

She cooled the boiling kettle a little bit, put tea leaves in it, and took out two glasses.

 

“Is Uncle Drew okay?”

 

“I went to the doctor earlier, and he said that if I take medicine and rest for a day, I will be fine.”

 

“What a relief.”

 

The sound of pouring tea was pleasant.

 

Claire placed the yellow teacup on the workbench where Brenda was kneading.

 

“Take a break, boss.”

 

The rest of the tea was poured into a green teacup, which belonged to Claire.

 

 Claire liked her dark blue-green teacup.

 

“Shall I?”

 

Putting her work aside for a moment, Brenda picked up her teacup.

 

A dark red liquid ran down Brenda’s mouth.
Brenda, as usual, praised Claire with a happy face.

 

“The tea you make is always good.”

 

“I think I got the timing right to put the tea leaves.”

 

Claire always smiled, accepting compliments with similar words.

 

“But I can’t do a tea house.
I don’t know varieties very well.”

 

Claire interrupted Brenda’s mouth before she could ask her to open a tea house.

 

“Would I have been used to making desserts from the beginning?”

 

“I think the boss must have been good at making things from the time she was born.”

 

Brenda burst out laughing at the sly Claire’s words, and the bell on the door rang, and it was a customer.

 

Claire put down her teacup and got up.

 

“Welcome.”

 

Two ladies looked around the shelves and carefully selected a brownie and an almond muffin.

 

Claire wrapped brownies and muffins and handed them over, and the ladies paid with happy faces.

 

It looked like they were going to a picnic in flashy outfits.

 

It was perfect weather for a picnic, and she returned to the workshop.

 

Brenda had already finished drinking her tea and started making cakes again.

 

Claire went to the store with a teacup that had cooled in the meantime.

 

Brenda and Dre