A Different Birthday Cake

At eleven, Rosa was making carrot soup, and Mia was putting cups on the tables. The phone rang. It was Ben from the bakery. His oven was not working, and the chocolate cake for Mr Hill was not ready. “Can you call him?” Ben asked Rosa. “I’m sorry.”

Rosa looked at the box of apples on the shelf. Then she opened a recipe book. “We can make an apple cake here,” she said. Mia looked at the clock. “Is there enough time?” she asked. “Yes, but we need to start now,” Rosa said.

Mia called Mr Hill. “Ben’s oven is not working,” she explained. “Can we make an apple cake instead?” Mr Hill was happy with the idea. “My mother loves apples,” he said. “Thank you for calling. I’ll bring some candles for the cake.”

Leo washed the apples, and Mia cut them into small pieces. Rosa put the flour, butter and eggs in a bowl. They followed the recipe together. At half past eleven, Rosa put the cake in the oven. “It needs forty-five minutes,” she said.

Mia wrote “apple cake” beside the booking in Rosa’s book. Then she crossed out “chocolate”. Outside, a few dark clouds covered the sun. “I hope we can still eat in the garden,” she said. Rosa went to the window and looked at the sky.