Dear Diary,
Something suspicious is afoot. And not just the usual suspicious, like “Suzy Mae wore fur-lined boots in May again” or “Tiger knocked my antique ink pot into the ficus with no remorse.” No, this morning’s mystery is both culinary and criminal.
I began the day, as any self-respecting woman should, with a singular mission: acquire one (1) blackberry scone from Molly’s bakery, slightly warm, gently golden, with just enough crumble to feel indulgent. It’s the sort of morning ritual that says, “I am thriving,” even if I’m wearing pajama pants under my coat.
Imagine my horror when I arrived at Sugar & Spice Bakery and was greeted not by the scent of fresh berries and baked butter—but by Molly herself, standing in the doorway, apron askew, face pale, clutching an empty serving tray like it had personally betrayed her.
“They’re gone,” she said.
“What’s gone?” I asked, clutching my handbag as if the missing item might somehow be in it.
“The scones,” she whispered, glancing over her shoulder like the culprit might still be hiding under the counter. “All of them. Every single one. Gone before I even opened the shop.”
No crumbs. No signs of a break-in. No smear of jam on the counter. Just one empty tray and a lingering smell of injustice.
Molly suspects the delivery man, a tall, sweet-smelling fellow who whistles suspiciously and has been “helpfully” offering to carry in flour bags all week. I suspect someone with keys, hunger, and no moral compass. Tiger suspects… the broom in the corner. He spent ten full minutes growling at it before sauntering over to sniff the scone tray and then dramatically flopping onto it.
“Could be an inside job,” I said, scribbling notes in my pocket notebook as Tiger rolled onto his back and kicked a stray raisin off the counter. (Molly says he’s banned again. Tiger disagrees.)
The town may be quiet, the streets cobblestoned, and the neighbors mostly charming—but let it be known: no one gets between Huckleberry Hollow and its pastries. Not on my watch. Not on Tiger’s either, although he’s mostly in it for the crumbs.
I have a few theories brewing and a very sharp pencil.
Stay tuned.
—Lydia
One Response
checking