A Matter of Taste Chapter Fifteen Dark Chocolate-frosted Gingerbread Biscuits

It is said that each set of twins speaks a language that only they could understand. In the case of the Henstridge children, the fact that there were two sets of twins meant that they shared a common language as opposed to two separate dialects. In this way, the four of them could talk freely without any of the grownups figuring out what they were talking about. On this particular morning, as their parents left for work, Pepper was perched on one arm of the couch with Mack on the other. The baby twins were curled up on the couch itself with Angus sitting on the floor; Alf was quietly stroking Anglias back. Uncle Max closed up behind Mammy and Da and told the kids that they would be baking gingerbread today, an announcement that brought cheers from them. Ill go whip up the dough, he told them as he switched on the television and channelsurfed down to Nickelodeon. Play nicely, kay? Yes, Uncle Max, the four chorused. Uncle Max smiled and went into the kitchen, closing the door behind him. Uncle seems happier, Mack remarked in twin as soon as their uncle had gone. He is, Pepper agreed, nodding as she slid to the floor. Ninang had her part to play in that. Unca Max doesnt want to see the mean lady anymore? Alec piped up sleepily. I dont think so, his big sister replied, sitting on the floor to hug Angus. I dont like her, Alf chimed in. Well, hopefully, well never see her again, Mack assured him. Uncle will marry Ninang Laine and thingsll be super-perfect. You really think so, Kuya? Alf asked, wide-eyed. Yeah, I sure do. Do you think hell take Tita Laine away if he marries her? Alec asked him. I suppose he will, Mack replied with a shrug. But theyll still be family. I wish theyd stay here, Alf said glumly, cuddling the tiny cat in his arms. I wont have any kitties to play with if they go; theyll take Anglia and Odin with them.

Maybe if you ask Unca Max nicely enough, hell get you a kitty, his twin suggested. Or maybe a real bunny. He held up Carrots. Not another stuffed one. He hugged his plush bunny tight. But someday, maybe Carrots will be a real bunny. I think theyll move to London, Pepper remarked thoughtfully. I heard Da and Uncle Max talking last night. Uncles going to open a restaurant in London or a butchers shop. I thought Da said Uncle wasnt supposed to work for a year! Mack exclaimed. Well, itll probably be when the years up. Thats what I heard: Uncle Max wants to open a restaurant with Ninang Laine. I think hes been planning it for ages. But will she say yes? Pepper shrugged. I dont know, she admitted. Maybe she will, maybe she wont. All Im sure of is that it looks like Uncle wants to marry her. Maybe hell ask her this Christmas, Mack suggested thoughtfully. I hope he does. And will we have more cousins to play with? Alec asked. I think so. Well, I certainly hope so. Presently, the doorbell rang. Uncle Max poked his head around the kitchen door. Hey, Mack! he called. Could you go see whos at the door? Ruefully, he showed them his floury hands. Im a bit of a mess at the moment. Sure, Uncle Max. Mack slid off the couch and went to the front door. To the childrens delight, it was their grandmother Georgia Algarme. Lola! they chorused, all trotting to the door to get swept up in tight hugs paired with loud, smacking kisses on their cheeks. Hello, darlings, Lola greeted the lot as she came in. I was in the neighborhood and thought Id look in on you. Wheres Uncle Max? Oh, hi, Auntie Georgie! Uncle Max greeted her apologetically. And whats the young man of the house up to? Making gingerbread dough, maam. Thought Id get a head-start on the Holiday baking. Alf trotted into the kitchen and tugged at the hem of Uncle Maxs t-shirt. Whats the matter, buddy? Uncle Max asked him. I hep you cut gingies, yes? Alf asked. Sure, Alf; all of you can help.

Ill get the cookie cutters! Pepper shouted, dashing into the kitchen. Uncles been real nice to us, Lola, Mack informed their grandmother as she took a seat at the kitchen table. An he not sad anymore, Alec piped up. Really? The kids giggled as their grandmother narrowed her eyes speculatively at their uncle. And how are you feeling, Max? Much better, Auntie, Max replied as he dusted the islands surface with flour. I dont have any trouble sleeping anymore. Thats good. Oh, Maman says shed love to take you and Uncle Fred to lunch while she and Dad are here for the Holidays. Is that so? Well, tell your mother that Fred and I will be glad to go and well just as gladly return the favor. Dad says hes planning to fleece everyone at mahjong, though. Thats what he always says, Lola laughed. Ive known your father for nearly forty years and Ive never seen him win at cards and mahjong, though he does play a mean game of backgammon. Alec impatiently tugged at their grandmothers arm. Lola! he declared. What you cook fo Kishmush? Lola smiled and picked him up, settling him on her lap. What would my little cupcakes like to eat this Christmas? she asked him. Mammy says shes making roast pork, Mack declared, rubbing his stomach. Could you please make your fancy rice to go with it, Lola? Fancy rice? Uncle Max asked as he began rolling out gingerbread dough. He means my paella, dear, Lola replied. Will you be making stuffed chicken again this year, Lola? Pepper asked as she handed the cookie cutters to Uncle Max. I am, sweetheart. Did you like last years? Oh, yes! Pepper beamed. Da and I made sandwiches with the leftovers! They were so nice! And what about you, babies? Lola asked the little ones.

Mo chicken pease! they chorused as they snuggled against their grandmother. Again, they popped their thumbs into their mouths at the same time. Arent you going to ask Uncle Max what he wants for Christmas? Mack asked rather artfully, a rather innocent expression on his face. Ah, yes. Eyes twinkling, Lola turned to their uncle. What about you, Maxie? Oh, I eat anything, Auntie, Uncle Max assured her with a fey smile. But what about presents? What would you like for Christmas? At this, Uncle Maxs smile seemed to fade and he sighed. Someone, he replied quietly. Well, but only if shell have me. Lola seemed to study him for a moment, then she smiled. From what Ive heard, said someone would be glad to have you, she assured him. Dyou really think so? I dont know. Lola turned to the older twins. What do you think, Mack? Pepper? She is your ninang, after all. I think Tita Laine likes you very much, Uncle Max, Pepper replied confidently as she began cutting shapes out of the dough her uncle had rolled. She makes you laugh, Mack chimed in as he began to help his sister. Shes lots better than He paused and looked up at his uncles pale face. Um She is better than Gemma, Uncle Max agreed, smiling faintly. The Henstridge kids threw each other some very satisfied looks

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Matt sighed as he doffed his apron and tossed it in the communal laundry bin. While things were still going well at LEtoile, he couldnt help but feel that the proverbial shoes were about to drop. There had been food critics and restaurant critics among the days diners, most of whom were still unaware that Max Balfour had resigned. Well, save for Tria Fabregas-Finlay; she was fully aware of what happened because she was related to Melaine Valeriano who had, most likely, filled her in

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I saw Max in Manila last month, Tria Finlay informed Matt when he came to carve the roast she and her husband ordered. He looks a lot better than he did before he left. Really? Matt asked as he took carving fork and blade to the baron of beef. Less haggard for one, Trias husband Kenneth chimed in. Less harried, certainly looked like he was getting plenty of sleep, and he was escorting Trias cousin Melaine. Matt nearly cut himself at that. What?! He was her escort, Tria said, grinning like a cat with the canary. Plus, rumor has it he splashed out on her: got her outfit and all. And he drove her to our other cousins wedding in his cousins Jaguar. Matt raised an eyebrow at this. Where money was concerned, the words tighter than a Scotsmans wallet applied to Max Balfour. You could never get the man to spend much which was funny because the man could certainly afford any luxury he fancied with plenty to spare. Youre aware hes broken up with Gemma Lazarby? Matt asked the Finlays in a carefully neutral tone. I saw an item in the Tatler, Tria admitted. But I cant say I blame the man. Well done him! Kenneth exclaimed. It was awful of her to go slagging about behind his back and to slag about in public, at that! So, Chef Valeriano hasnt killed him yet? Matt asked with a faint grin. Killed him? Tria laughed at the idea. Unless shes killed the man with kindness, no. Though, well, she isnt exactly playing nursemaid, either. He doesnt need a nursemaid, Kenneth snorted. He needs a woman a proper woman. Hes due for it, I think. Matt laughed aloud at this exchange. Its rather hard to believe they spent the better part of nearly a decade bickering in the kitchen, he confessed. From what Max has been writing me, I gather he and the Chef are getting along great. They certainly are, the Finlays agreed as he placed portions of beautifully cooked beef onto their plates. Well, tell him hi if and when you see him. Were flying to Manila for the Holidays, Kenneth advised him. Give us a shout-out in a week in case you want to send him anything.

Nah, I dont want to impose Oh, feel free! Tria exclaimed reassuringly. Max is bound to appreciate any news coming from you guys.

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Matt sighed as he played back that conversation in his head. He sat back and lit himself a cigarette. As he puffed, he looked around at the darkened kitchen. He marveled how, despite the fact that both Melaine and Max were gone, he could still feel their influence if not their actual presence. The neat arrangement of each individual mise en place was something Melaine always insisted on. A cluttered table is the sign of a cluttered mind, she would snap at any line cook whose mise looked like some slovenly teens bedroom. The orderly system by which orders were rolled out and stocks were inventoried were born of one of her ideas. Max insisted on constant restocking to ensure that they had enough of everything. Plus, being part-French (and that part being thrifty Breton, as a matter of fact), he made sure that nothing went to waste. Cold leftover beef would be turned into a hearty miroton that won raves among critics; leftover chicken, pork, and fish would be minced fine for stuffing or shredded to make sandwich fillings or pasta sauce fillers for the staff meal. Vegetable peelings and trimmings would be sent to a local organic greenhouse for composting while bones were used up for stock. It was all very efficient and certainly cost-effective. But, alas, Vincent Ville-Valmont never seemed to care. All he cared about was the publicity, the money coming in. Matt shuddered at the memory of the look hed seen on Tria Finlays face. She knew who were the real brains behind the operation, the real head honchos who kept LEtoile from becoming just another London-based French restaurant. One word from Mrs. Finlay, and Matts mind reeled from the thought in horror. Once people found out that Balfour and Valeriano were the real people behind the scenes, how would the public react? Would people start shying away from the restaurant? Would they be forced to close in the event that Vincent was finally exposed as a culinary fraud? It was all starting to look like that modern version of Macbeth Matt once saw on the Beeb where James McAvoy played a chef who conspired against

his fraud of a boss. Matt could only hope that this dramas ending wasnt going to be either as bloody or would have a body count of its own! However, Matt knew his best friend well enough to know that the man had a plan for when he came back. And it was a plan that involved setting up shop elsewhere and one where he would gladly pirate the whole staff at LEtoile.

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Wait: you mean you never hang anything edible on your Christmas tree? What, and have a bare tree before Christmas ever rolls around? Melaine laughed as she artfully draped tinsel on the branches of her Christmas tree. No, Max. Filipinos never hang anything edible on the tree. If people arent picking ornaments off to eat, youd have hungry pets or ants and roaches to contend with. As if on cue, her cat Odin leapt onto the coffee table and purred as he eyed the plastic tub of ginger biscuits Max had come to drop off. Your cat likes gingerbread, too? Max chuckled as he hung sparkling crystal ornaments among the higher branches. Oh, its weird, Melaine assured him. Cats arent supposed to taste let alone like sweet things. But Odin has a sweet tooth of epic proportions. How funny! I gave Anglia a bit of gingerbread when the kids and I were baking and I thought she wouldnt like the stuff. Then she polished it off and meowed for more. Odin meowed loudly at them, patting the sealed tub with an impatient little paw. Better give him a bite before he tries to tear into the tub, Max advised Melaine. Oh, quit, you! Melaine lightly scolded the cat as she opened the tub. She broke a gingerbread man in half, giving Odin the part that wasnt covered in chocolate. She took a bite out of the remainder and smiled, marveling at how delicious the spiced cookie was with its coating of rich, dark chocolate. You made these, Max? Yeah, Max replied. I just followed Gingers recipe and let the kids cut the cookies out. Well done you! Theyre scrumptious! Yeah? Thanks! I was actually worried they werent going to turn out well.

They turned out lovely, Melaine assured him as she went back to decorating. I take it Gingers recipe doesnt involve cloves? Nope. She hates cloves both the smell of em and the taste of em. Its a good thing because none of us care much for that spice, either. She swapped it with cardamom? Yeah. Max came down the stepladder and placed the empty ornament box on the floor. Those things are great with tea, you know. Fancy a cup? Id love one, Melaine replied, pointing him towards the kitchen. Tea and things are in the leftmost top cupboard. Obediently, Max went off to the kitchen. When he opened the cupboard, he couldnt help but raise his eyebrows at what he found. Along with a collection of pretty ceramic teapots, there were canisters of blended teas and practically all of them had chocolate. He recognized one of them a tea called Year of the Tiger which he knew tasted deliciously of chocolate and oranges because his cousins virtually stockpiled cans of it in their extensive pantry. As if there wasnt enough chocolate, there were also tins of powdered drinking chocolate in varying strengths and flavors. Um, would you prefer the Red Velvet or the double-dark chocolate mat? he called. The mat would be perfect, Melaine called back from the living room. Um, okay. Max picked out a particularly cute teapot one in the shape of a sleeping ginger cat, the spout being an outstretched paw and the tail looped for a handle. He lumped in a couple scoops of the tea and added hot water from the dispenser in the corner. As the tea was steeping, he went back to the living room to help Melaine put the empty boxes back into the room she used for storage. While he was hefting boxes up onto the top shelves, he noted that Melaine looked very pretty that evening. Her thick chestnut hair was piled messily on top of her head with a few curly tendrils framing her face. The green, formhugging t-shirt she wore made her fair skin look wonderfully creamy and her very short denim shorts showed off her legs. Their earlier exertions from heaving and hauling boxes into the living room brought a fetching shade of pink into her cheeks. I guess were done, she declared as she handed up the last of the boxes.

Max sighed in relief as he pushed the stepladder into a corner of the room. He switched off the light and followed Melaine to the kitchen where a rich, chocolaty aroma told them that the tea was ready for pouring. Melaine motioned for him to sit down at the central island as she bustled about for cups, the pitcher of cream she kept in the fridge, and a drizzle-bottle of honey from one of the cupboards. Max retrieved the tub of gingerbread from the living room and placed it on the kitchen table. Odin padded after him and leapt up onto a nearby chair. The black-and-white cat meowed loudly, then curled up most comfortably in his seat. Max smiled and scratched him behind the ears; Odin purred most appreciatively. He likes you, Melaine chuckled as she poured Max a cup of tea. Well, we always had a cat whilst I was growing up, Max admitted as he accepted the cup. Either a purebred Scottish Fold or a cuddly moggie with orange fur. And wed keep a dog a Scots terrier from the same line as Angus upstairs at the same time; they always got along for some odd reason. Well, probably because theyd grow up together or one would be foster parent to the other. So, no problems upstairs with Angus and Anglia, then? None whatsoever, Max replied with a smile. Thats nice. No problem with the kids, either? Nope, though I think one little boys going to raise hell when I go home, Max admitted ruefully. Alfs gotten quite attached to Anglia. Oh, dear. Ill try to think of something. Maybe, if Puck and Ginger dont mind, I could get Alf his own kitten before I go next year. Melaine smiled at that and Max felt warm all over because of that smile. It made him feel liked, maybe even loved, and certainly wanted. I think Ill get your cat a pretty collar for Christmas, Melaine said as she sat down, stirring cream into her tea. Thats if you find one small enough. Trust me: I can find one. Max studied her for a moment, feeling a blush rapidly staining his face. Then, Dyou mind if I ask you what youd like for Christmas?

Not at all, Melaine assured him, regarding him candidly. But youll go bonkers if I tell you. Yeah? Try me. Melaine leaned forward and smiled in a dangerously sultry fashion. What would you do if I said I wanted you for Christmas? she asked him. Max regarded her somberly. He said nothing. Instead, knowing that mere words would not be enough, he leaned in towards her and fervently planted his lips onto hers.

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Sorry Im late, Max apologized as he entered the Henstridge home. The babies were tucked into bed and the rest of the family was in the middle of dinner when he arrived. I should have called, he told Puck. That was rather inconsiderate of me. Twas nae problem, Puck assured him, motioning for him to sit up at table. Come and eat, Max, Ginger invited him. Were having moussaka for dinner. Um, thanks, Ginge. Sheepishly, Max declined the invitation to eat. Melaine asked me to stay for supper, so Im good. Thanks, anyway. To his chagrin, Puck and Ginger turned to each other and smiled. It was just a store-cupboard version of spaghetti Bolognese, he said nervously. Nothing fancy. Oh, and a loaf of walnut bread from your shop, Ginge. Quickly, he turned and fled to the safety of his bedroom.

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Hey, um, hi. Hey, there. Uh, did I wake you? No, I was just about to go to bed. Whats up? Oh, nothing. I He took a deep breath. I just wanted to ask you something. Ask away.

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Um, are you mad at me? There was a startled gasp at the other end of the line. Then, Why would I be mad at you? Because I was silly enough to kiss you. Hey, if I were mad at you for that, do you honestly think Id have invited you to stay for dinner? He paused and grinned sheepishly into his pillow. Point taken, he said. He heard her yawn. Id better hit the sack, she said sleepily. You should, he advised her. Its Thursday tomorrow and youll be at Snappisnax, yes? Yeah. Then Ill say good night now. Sleep tight, Max. You, too, Lennie. He drew a deep breath, steeling himself. And Lennie? Yes? Um, I think I love you. There was another pause. When she spoke again, her voice was warm and gentle. I think I love you, too, Max. Good night. Gnight. Max switched off his phone and put it back on his bedside table. In the cool, even cold, darkness of his room, he couldnt help but smile. He curled up beneath his soft blankets, nestled his cheek onto the fluffy pillow beneath his head, and fell into a happy sleep.

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2-1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup margarine 1/2 cup molasses 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup muscovado sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoon vinegar

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1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon allspice 100 grams dark chocolate sugar dragees cake decorating gel Cream the margarine till fluffy. Add half the flour, the egg, molasses, sugars, spices, vinegar, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix until well combined, then add the remaining flour and mix to form a malleable dough. Transfer the dough to a covered container and freeze for about thirty minutes. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees / Gas Mark 5. Quarter the dough and roll out to about a halfinch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out shapes and set them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Gather the scraps and keep rolling and cutting out cookies until all the dough has been used up. Bake for five minutes; cool on a rack. In a heatproof bowl, blitz the chocolate in a microwave from 45 seconds to about a minute and a half. Stir till all melted. Spread the resulting fondue onto the cookies; decorate with dragees and decorating gel. Makes approximately six dozen cookies.

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