Smashing the Oven Sweet Satisfying Rewards

Appears in
The Baker's Daughter: Timeless recipes from four generations of bakers
The Baker's Daughter

By Louise Johncox

Published 2014

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A woman in her late forties with hefty hips peered at the tray of custard tarts behind the counter.

“Can I help you?” Frankie asked.

“I’d like to speak to the manager,” the lady said in a broad Scottish accent.

“I’m the co-owner, along with Peter.” Frankie shifted on her feet. She was always on guard when anyone asked this question.

“Let me introduce myself. My name is Agnes Robertson and I’m the new EHO for this area. You can call me Ms Robertson.”

EHO - the three letters guaranteed to make Mum’s stomach flip over; they stood for Environmental Health Officer (or Evil Horrid Officer, as some preferred). Frankie’s heart sank. A visit from the EHO meant more work, more stress and the inevitable extra costs for modem equipment required by ever changing European legislation.