How To Ice A Cake And Change Your Life – by Hugh W. Roberts
I was so proud when I received the certificate for my professional grade in cake decorating. I’d recently been made redundant and needed a new skill.
Being the only man in the 18-week course had its advantages. By week three, Kate made it clear how much she liked me. But there was a problem. I had been married for 12 years and still deeply loved my wife. This inner conflict deeply troubled my feelings, and for a while, I was torn between my devotion to her and my growing attraction to Kate.
By week 13, not only had Kate changed my life, but the love I had for my wife had slowly dripped away, leaving behind an almost forgotten heavy burden of guilt and regret for the betrayal. However, I was proud that I could now bake and ice cakes, something I’d always dreamed about doing professionally.
But a tiny part of me wasn’t proud of my situation regarding my affair. I couldn’t deny the sense of self-worth a much younger woman found me attractive and (in her words) loved me. Yet, a more significant part of me felt I was on top of the world.
Then, during the last week of the course, the week before Christmas, everything eventually came together. As I finished plastering the wall next to the fireplace, I questioned what I’d done over the past six months. Feel proud, I kept telling myself. Briefly, a dark cloud hung over me and only dispersed when there was a loud knock on the front door.
“Have you done it?” asked Kate as she pushed past me as I opened the door to her.
“I told you not to keep coming here; the neighbours will see.” I protested. “We need to give it more time.”
“To hell with the neighbours; I want proof that you love me,” replied Kate. “Show me what you learned at the cake decorating class.”
I thought she wanted to see the Christmas cake I’d iced, but she went to the living room and stood before the fireplace.
“Nice work!” Kate announced. “I’m proud of you for what you have done for me. Is she..?” she asked, pointing at the newly plastered wall.
Icing cakes not only helped me get a new job as a professional cake maker but also taught me how to plaster the remains of my wife’s body behind a brick wall of the fireplace.
Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – Feeling Proud.
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Oh wow! That was a very dark twist indeed. Didn’t see that coming, Hugh
Good to hear. Thanks for reading it and leaving a comment.
Pleasure 🙂
very nice Hugh, I really enjoyed this xx
Good to hear. Thanks, Carol anne.
I’ll know now to be very worried if my husband suddenly enrols for a cake decorating class :)
If you see him making a Christmas cake, run for your life.
Oh? Hugh you are the king of the unexpected twist 😉🙂🙂
I’m glad you think so. Thanks, Willow.
Wow! What a story and I didn’t expect that twisted end coming. Brilliant writing, Hugh.
Thank you, Eugi. I always smile when readers tell me they didn’t see the twist coming.
You’re most welcome, Hugh.
Well done. I didn’t see that one coming.
That is music to my ears. Thank you.
You do like to take your dark side and bring it out into the light sometimes eh Hugh? Nice one.
Yes, my dark side of creative writing wins 90% of my story endings, Paul. Glad you enjoyed this little tale.
Yikes! I think his specialty should be devil’s food cake!
Maybe he has one planned for Kate?
Very naughty… but such a fun read, Hugh!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you, Judith.
Wow. That was very dark and unexpected. Well done, Hugh!
Good to hear. Thank you, Michelle. Glad you enjoyed it.
That’s impressive. He really learned a lot. As always, you are fantastic in making twists in the last moment. Great!!
Thank you. Yes, this man’s life has dramatically changed because he wanted to ice cakes professionally.
And he learned well😂
Wow, I didn’t see that ending coming until the second to last sentence. Great story.
Music to my ears, Michael. I love it when readers say they didn’t see the twist coming.
And he seemed like such a nice character to begin with! Love that twist. Thanks, Hugh. May I add this to my writing prompts post this Wednesday?
Yes, please go ahead and add it to your post, Esther. Thank you for the writing prompts. They get my creative cogs whirling.
I’m so pleased they do 😊
Yikes! I didn’t see that one coming. :)
That’s what I like to hear.
Well done, although the story is sad. My event? We adopted two children.
Wow! That’s great to hear. Adoption is so important and can make somebody’s life so much for the better.
The are both now responsible adults (how did we do that?) and each has a child. Raising children is daunting since they don’t come with how-to manuals, but I wouldn’t trade those years for anything and would love to do them over!
Well done! The story and the cake decorating. 😉
Thank you. Actually, the cake in the photo is one I baked and iced, but 10 years ago. I may do another one this Christmas.
You are clever…
Aww, thanks. Not all the time, though.
quitting my job in advertising at age 40 to go to grad school and become a teacher
Well done, Beth.
Wow! I didn’t see that dark twist coming, Hugh.
Good, that’s what I like to hear, Cathy.