Jac

Chapter 4

Lucy Locket lost her pocket,

Kitty Fisher found it;

But ne'er a penny was there in't

Except the binding round it.

Jac stared at the small piece of cake crumbling into her hand. "Th-thanks, sir." She'd only been walking for a few minutes when a shop owner had cornered her, shoving samples of cake into her hands."Um, may I ask what type of cake this is?"

The baker nodded enthusiastically, flapping his hands around as he answered. "Pat-a-cake!" He beamed as he said the word, and Jac could almost visibly see his chest swell with pride over his creation. "I roll it, I pat it, and then I mark it with a 'B'!"

"Interesting," Jac said simply, attempting to push her way past the baker. "I'm sure it will be delicious when I taste it later."

She felt bad about being so dismissive toward the baker and his cake, but she didn't want to trust any of the food here. The last strange food she'd been given had ended up growing into an immense beanstalk. She didn't want to know what exactly would have happened had she eaten those beans rather than planting them.

"No, no, no!" The baker grabbed her wrist, pulling her back. "Eat here!" His shouts were drawing attention, and Jac noticed the small crowd forming around his bakery.

"I really have to go," she stammered, racking her brain for an excuse. "I have--" She dropped off, watching as a stunning young lady maybe a few years older than herself pushed through the crowd, smiling kindly at the baker. Her dark hair was pulled up into an elaborate bun, and her violet dress indicated a high social status with all of its drapings and embroideries.

"Excuse me, sir?" The lovely girl tapped gently on the baker's shoulder. "May I try some as well? It sounds absolutely mouthwatering."

The baker immediately dropped Jac's wrist, and she considered running off while she had the chance, but the appearance of the girl had only enticed her curiosity. He nodded frantically, scrambling to place pieces of cake into her outstretched palms.

"Not one, but two!" He chuckled to himself, "Two beautiful young ladies tasting my cake!" Jac watched as the girl raised a piece to her mouth, taking a large bite as she winked knowingly at Jac.

"Delicious!" She cooed, then nodded at Jac. "Try some, my friend. It truly is delectable." Her warm smile revealed no malintent. Instead, the girl's encouraging gestures reassured her, and she realized the girl had been trying to show her the food was safe. Letting out a sigh of relief, Jac placed the piece of cake into her mouth, closing her eyes as the flavors melted into her tongue. She'd tasted cake only a few times in her life, but she already knew this was by far the best. When she swallowed the chunk and the flavors disappeared, she found herself desiring more.

"How was it?" The baker pressed, leaning closer.

"It was..." She paused, searching for the proper word. "Incredible, sir." Prancing away from the two women, the baker cheered.

"They like my cake! The two pretty ladies like my cake!" His joyful reaction made Jac smile, despite the whole process leading up to her eating the cake.

Next to her, the girl who had saved her giggled. "Thank you very much for the samples, sir. Now, if you don't mind, my friend and I will be on our way." The baker nodded, still dancing and grinning as he shooed them away. The girl linked her arm through Jac's and led her away, dropping a small part of her smile. It still remained, though now it was more genuine and modest.