Gemotions

The crisp autumn air nipped at Clara's cheeks as she walked home, clutching the novel. She'd found it at a community book sale, a bargain. The book was a treasure, the cover a faded watercolour of a cottage garden.

Back inside, with a cup of tea, she opened the book to the middle. Out fell a folded parchment. The handwriting was neat, almost clinical. It was a recipe for something called "Sunshine Cake."

A giggle escaped her. The idea of baking – something she hadn't done in ages – filled her. She ran to her kitchen, humming a little tune. She took out all the ingredients and started to whisk.