Page 37 of Potions & Prejudice
“Soup’s ready,” Mama said.
I joined her in the kitchen area and opened one of the cupboards to gather bowls. The cupboards had been stocked full of plates, cups, bowls, silverware, pots, and pans. Everything we needed—though they’d been filthy.
I set the table while Prue ventured outside to get us fresh water from the well. She returned a few moments later just as Mama was setting the bowls of steaming stew on the table.
We all sat, and I twisted in my chair. “Is Adelaide coming?”
Prue pushed her spectacles up her nose and pointed out the front window. Adelaide now sat in a wooden swing hanging from one of the tree branches. She swayed back and forth. “She said that she’s not hungry,” Prue said before taking a bite of her stew.
She’d been distant and more solemn than usual since yesterday. I’d have to check in on her later and make sure she was doing okay. Maybe she’d seen Elm again and he’d done something to offend her? If he had, I would have his balls.
“Oh.” Prue put down her spoon. “I found a map of Thistlegrove in the library. It looks like it was done rather recently and has all the businesses marked.”
“That’s helpful.” I tapped my chin. “Maybe we can go over the map this afternoon, and it can help us brainstorm ideas for a business.”
“Good luck,” Prue said. “This town has everything.” She ticked off her fingers. “A magical creature shop, a tea shop, a tavern, an inn, a clothing store, a bookstore, an apothecary, a charms shop?—”
“Okay.” I rubbed my temples. “I get it.” My stomach sank. We had to figure out a way to make a living while we were stuck here.
“Well, I talked to the woodsmith when I went to town this morning and convinced him to start working on our cart without any down payment.” Auggie took a sip of her soup, a smug look on her face.
My mouth dropped open. “Auggie! Why would you do that? We don’t know when we’re going to be able to pay him. He’s going to come asking for payment eventually, and then what are we going to do?” I sank my head into my arms.
“Oh, Elspeth. Auggie was just using her excellent negotiation skills. That’s my girl.” Mama patted Auggie’s hand.
Sometimes, I felt like the only adult at the table. I lifted my head.
“Eat your soup”—Mama gestured toward my bowl—“before it gets cold. Besides, my stew always makes you feel better.”
I took a sip of the warm, salty broth, and she was right. It was delicious. Cozy and warm and it made me feel like everything might be okay after all.
Prue stared at her bowl, a perplexed look on her face.
“Why aren’t you eating?” I asked.
“The soup. It’s like a potion,” she said slowly.
“Except it’s not a potion at all?” Auggie pursed her lips, and Prue gave her the middle finger.
“What I meant was that this could be a good idea.” Prue tugged at her brown curls. “A soup stand instead of a potion stand.”
I looked down at my stew and back up at Prue.
“There aren’t many restaurants in Thistlegrove,” Prue said. “We don’t have the means to open a whole tavern like Draven’s, but we could set up a simple cauldron and table. Some bowls.” She gestured outside. “The weather is getting chilly. Adelaide can make the recipes, Mama can use her potions affinity to keep the soup warm, to make the flavors come together. Auggie and I can forage for ingredients.”
I sat up straighter, my heart beating fast. That wasn’t a bad idea.
“Soup?” Auggie said. “You think we can actually make money off of soup? It’s so simple.”
“So simple it just might work,” I said.
Mama slurped from her spoon. “Adelaide’s recipes are very good.”
“It’s something we could start selling almost immediately. Maybe we can have daily flavors. We can forage for the ingredients. We’d just need to get the cauldron from our cart.” I got out of my chair and kissed Prue on the forehead. “You brilliant girl.” I sat back down, feeling lighter than I had in days.
“Well, I’m glad someone’s happy,” Auggie muttered into her bowl. “Now you just need to get Adelaide to eat.”
I turned in my chair and saw Elm out the window, standing in front of Adelaide. All the adoration I was used to seeing was gone from hisface. His eyebrows were pinched, face drawn, and he looked tense. Adelaide’s shoulders were slumped, and she stared down at her lap.
