Cindy and Ella (The Fairy Tale Twins)

Chapter 9: Cindy

Well, I thought Sedgewick was my friend. Turns out I was wrong. When I casually mentioned I had brought two extra friends, he said he had no room for us! He had reserved a table for three, not five. The restaurant was already overcrowded.

"I don't believe this!" I push through the waiting area to the walk outside, where Ella and the others are standing. "He doesn't have a table. I said we could all squeeze together at the small one, but he won't allow it. Said we'd be too uncomfortable."

"He's probably right." Ella doesn't look disappointed enough for me. I think she wants an excuse to run away from Percy. She has always been like this with boys! The more she likes one, the more she avoids him. It's crazy.

Kellan, however, does look disappointed. "I doubt we'll find a table anywhere else." Though nearly half past ten, you would think it was noon for all the activity on Queen's Walk. Most of the shops and restaurants are staying open until midnight to glean every possible coin from the insatiable girls.

Percy gives a thoughtful frown. "We could go to the bakery."

I look at him. "The bakery?"

"Percel Bakery. I have keys because I close the shop at night."

Ella's eyes widen. "You run the bakery cart! That's where I've seen you before!"

"Oh my word—the breadsticks!" I laugh. Of course! He walks up and down Queen's Walk every day, pushing the cart for Percel Bakery. Why didn't I realize that? Because I'm always in a hurry? Because I was more focused on the breadsticks than the seller? Wow, that makes me sound self-centered.

Percy is laughing too. "Yes, they're a popular item! But as it turns out, I sold less than expected today, and Jonas never keeps them overnight. I was supposed to throw them away." He smiles slyly. "But I stashed them at the back of the shop for snacking."

I gasp. "Could we warm them?" When Percy nods, I almost jump up and down. "This is the best idea I've ever heard! I've always wanted to make a meal of those breadsticks."

This draws laughter from the rest of the group and we head down the street to Percel Bakery. It's situated further down, past Sedgewick's, past Godmother's, past the shops offering jewelry, and hair pieces, and scented lotions. Not directly opposite Percel Books, but close enough that it's within sight.

Percel Bakery looks much like other shops along this row, the sand-colored brick, the glass casements, the gold-plated letters mounted across the top. Percy steps up to the door and removes a long key on a ring from his belt. "Just give me a minute. It sticks a little."

I'm clustered with the others on the walk while the girls and their mothers march past us. I hope they won't think the bakery is open now. Percy seems to have anticipated this because he waits for a lull in the pedestrian traffic before popping open the door, one finger to his lips. His eyes travel over our heads for a moment.

"Jeremy?" he says in surprise.

I whirl around. "Jeremy?" He's crossing the street toward us, looking just as stunned as we are. "Girls?"

"WHO'S WITH MERLE?" Ella and I cry together.

Jeremy lifts his hands. "Relax, relax. She went to bed an hour ago and she had her tea."

Meaning the tea infused with valerian root she sometimes uses for sleeping. It knocks her out pretty soundly, but I know that won't be good enough for Ella. She's already turning away from us. "I have to go."

"No, Ella, please!" Jeremy sounds exasperated. "I left a note by her bed. If she wakes up at all—which she won't—she'll see it and know where I am. She won't panic."