The boy backed away from the oven, his back slamming into the stone wall behind.
Claire could feel the heat radiating from the oven.
The boy stared at her with wide eyes, sweat beading on his forehead.
"How long does it take you to turn a single lever, Miss Stenly?" She heard Andon ask as he entered the Kitchens.
The boy darted a glance between her and the man coming up behind her.
Andon stood beside her, looking from her to the boy caged in the corner.
"What is going on?"
"I caught this boy pouring a white powder over the lemon cakes."
The boy began to shake his head.
"It was nothing bad! I swear it on my mama's life!"
She blinked.
Nothing bad?
"Then what was it?" Andon asked.
The boy began to cry, shaking his head violently.
Claire went to the oven and pulled the trays out. The white powder had been absorbed by the batter, completely invisible to her.
"The cake is condemned." She whispered with a heavy sigh.
