Page 30 of Baking Battles

Alima looks like she is about to explode with smugness as she takes centre stage to dish out her victim and her evil magic curse. Her lipstick is right on trend, her hijab neatly tucked around her hair, knotted into her signature bun at the back of her head. Yeah, because as the still-reigning Battle Baker, she is still the Queen of the floor and she takes a regal sweep across the studio before speaking. She’s got this, and suddenly Mattias shivers a little. Alima is good. She’s bloody brilliant, and maybe he should pitch Danijel all the ideas that are popping up in his head, shows and programs and the little angles where Alima would just make such a fantastic host. She’s always been a good actress, her hard and composed interior hiding a soft inner shell, but she shines as her own version of the Evil Baking Queen. Maybe that should be her show. He shakes his head and smiles to himself as Alima continues.

“Paulina. You are annoyingly good, and nothing would make me happier than to remove every single thing on your worktop, BUT, us girls need to stick together, so Ida, you are safe too. Despite your annoying talent at making the quirkiest of cakes. Love it.” She sighs and smiles as she pins her gaze on Louise.

“Louise. You are cool. And you are my homegirl, so no punishment for you.”

Louise rolls her eyes with relief and pretends to say a little prayer as everyone sniggers with giggles.

“Mattias, you are good too, but not that good. I can beat you anytime, And Pablo? Boy, you are in trouble. I might have to peg you down a few notches. Maybe put a ban on any use of food colouring this episode? No glitter allowed?” She smiles sweetly as the camera pans over to Pablo, who clearly looks terrified.

“Magnus. It would be unfair to punish you again, although I would love to give you a spanking for producing some epic bakes. You are dangerous, but I will keep you safe for now. But Jacob?”

Jacob looks like he is about to wet himself, big showy droplets of sweat running down his forehead, despite being branded the coolest cat in the jungle. Or whatever they call him in the blurb for his shows.

“Alima,” he warns. Well he shouldn't have. Because now Alima’s eyes have turned into little angry slits and her mouth is stern, her lips pursed in a tight grimace.

“Jacob, you are annoying me with all these savoury versions of things we love. Honestly. You need some sugar in your life, my friend. So that is what it will be, my evil revenge on you, is to insist that every recipe you produce today contains at least one 100ml measure of sugar. Normal sugar. No substitutes or weird coconut sugar from the jungles of Peru. Okay? Sugar, my dear. White evil tooth-rotting sugar. Go run with it, Jacob, and I will see you on the finishing line?”

The camera is capturing this perfectly and Mattias hasn’t noticed it until now, but he is holding his breath, which is always a good sign when it comes to shooting. Jacob’s face pale with shock, he’s a good seasoned TV actor too, pulling this off with ease. Alima’s smug smile. Magnus swallowing visibly, then going out of focus to instead pan over to Louise, who is running her fingers through her hair, her lips visibly muttering swear words. It’s good. Tight. They are creating something quite fun here, and once the TV3 editing team up on thesixth floor have had their dirty little hands on this footage, it will be even more evil. He has no doubts about that. Alima will be all over the media the next day after this episode airs, no doubt dubbed the ‘Evil Queen of baking’. And she will love it. Absolutely love it. Well apart from those people who turn up at the sports-related injuries and muscle pain clinic at Oslo University hospital, who may get slightly more than they’ve bargained forwhen Alima turns up to treat them. And that the Norwegian Dentistry Association will be asked to comment on the rise in tooth decay in today’s children, followed by a message from the Norwegian Health Services on the dangers of high sugar levels in today’s food. Mattias makes a mental note to mention something today in his chat segments, about refined sugars and limited intake and diabetes, or something. Well, what does he know? He just goes with whatever Sara says.

He also knows that Alima’s parents have been coaching her every evening, and that her aunt and cousin have put her recipes together. They are family after all, and this is a Hussain family effort. He knows this full well. He also smiles a little, remembering the text last night from Alima’s father, wishing him good luck and telling him to watch his oven temperature on the bread rolls.

He’s a little bit family too. In a weird way.

They still pull it off, working with minimum breaks all day to produce an entire episode’s worth of footage in one day. They are back on track filming wise, and film the crowning of the Battle Baker just before eight at night. On a Friday. Where everyone in the Studio is close to dying and moaning about their nights out and dinner dates whilst Danijel and Caroline rule them with an iron fist. Nobody shouts,“Cut,”until the episode is complete. Nobody.

Emi is fast asleep in Mattias’s office, tucked up in her pram, with Rukshana happily catching up with work at her desk. She just shoos Mattias away when he checks up on them, smiling sweetly whilst her voice is convincingly sharp.

“My expenses for today, including lost work time, are already in your inbox, and I expect it to be actioned this evening ready for payday.” She smiles, and Mattias nods. “Got it.”

He would gladly have paid her out of his own pocket, rather than using the Baking Battles budget, because she has been worth every extra krone today. Emi has had the best of days, roaming the TV3 building, eating canteen food, and has even been out to the playground in the nearby park with Rukshana, after filming a segment baking with Mattias, as well as sitting in on the judges’ discussion segment, that Danijel says they will have to totally cut, since Emi is obviously on Mattias’s team, and the whole thing is just unethical and wrong. He’s joking of course, and anyway, Mattias is pretty sure he is going to get voted off now, because although his honey and oat bread rolls were good, his technical challenge of producing a classic Ciabatta had gone horribly wrong. He just lost his concentration and had kneaded out his dough out of habit, destroying the rise and all those air bubbles Isolde had droned on about. Everyone else had produced a light bubbly bake, but Mattias had produced a brick. Well, Jacob’s brick was overly sweet, and Louise’s attempt has some strange chocolate undertones, and Paulina has once again thrown wholemeal flour in the mix, making Isolde look most displeased, and Herman spat out his mouthful, claiming it might break his teeth. Not that any of them have dared to taste Mattias’s disaster.

Alima has shone with another great plaited showcase loaf, soft fluffy bread with a golden crust that had made Mattias want to cry, watching the slightly burnt, spiced meadloaf that had adorned his baking station. It didn’t help that he had sprinkled some edible glitter on the top. Nor that he had rolled out some random festive Santas and asked for a strong cheese for his display. His loaf of bread had still been burnt.

He’s still quite calm as he takes his seat for the vote off, only half-heartedly listening as Isolde and Herman do their thing, praising and scolding the contestants in equal servings. But he does look up when Christopher takes the floor, looking tired and drained—like they all are. It’s late, and it’s been a long day. Mattias has barely talked to Christopher today, just exchanged the odd glance. A little smile here and there.

Maybe I’ve missed him.Mattias shakes his head. Maybe he has, despite the fact that Christopher has been right here, all day.

“It is my absolute honour to crown today’s Battle Baker, the dude who has consistently blown us away with his drumming personality and perfect baking skills. So, let’s not drag this out any longer, Ladies and Gents, give it up for this week’s Battle Baker, Magnus Steingrímsson!”

Pablo is first in, grabbing Magnus and hugging him as the rest of them gather round to offer their congratulations. He deserves it. Magnus is beaming and there is a little blush on his cheeks, almost like he didn’t expect it. He’s cute, showing off with a little dance followed by a shy childish smile. The camera loves it, capturing a little tear in the corner of his eye as Mattias glances over on the monitors.

Christopher just stands there, catching Mattias’s eye, waiting for his cue to continue. And there is something there Mattias has kind of learnt to read. Almost like Christopher is looking for him to acknowledge what he is desperately needing to know, so that he can calm down. A little reassurance so he won’t have to worry. Knowing that Mattias is right there. That it’s okay. That he can come. That he won’t be left on his own.

It’s funny how Mattias just nods. Pulls his lips into a little smile. Just for a second. Mouthing, “Of course.” Then, Christopher smiles back. Like it’s something they can do. Understand.

Christopher’s smile is back, bright and clear, cocking his head to the side in a show of sympathy as he continues.

“Sadly today, someone needs to leave us and return to their normal day job, as their nominated charity receives their much-needed donation. Today’s contestant has chosen the World Wildlife Fund, as he is a great supporter of this amazing organisation and has been known to work tirelessly for them here in Norway. We are gutted to see him leave and will miss his quirky recipes and his now well-known dislike of all things sweet. Give it up for a great contestant, Jacob Slagsvold!”

Well Mattias didn’t seethat onecoming, and gives Danijel what he hopes is an angry stare of doom as Danijel just shrugs his shoulders and smiles. The bastard.

A few more takes later the last, “Cut!” ...finally rings out as everyone applauds and hugs, stretching in relief as the tension is replaced with laughter as people scurry off to go home. Well, apart from Caroline who seems to have attached herself to Jacob who looks more than happy, playfully tapping his fingers against her headset as she laughs. And flirts. Which makes Mattias roll his eyes and chuckle to himself.

He almost runs up the stairs to relieve a fully coated up Rukshana, with Emi bundled up in the pram by the lifts, ready to go.

“She’s been a dream to look after, Mattias. Honestly. Call me again, anytime, it makes a nice change from the normal day at the office, and I kind of like it.” She winks and Mattias tries to give off a friendly smile. He almost says,“I’m gay, in case you haven’t heard.”Just in case that wink has been an attempt at scoring with the single guy. Who may not be single for long if he has his way, which is the most fucked-up thing that has crossed Mattias’s mind today. What is he thinking? It’s been six months and he is already thinking of breaking every promise he has made himself. New life. New start. Single. Free. Happy. No pressure. No sex. No drama. Yet, here he is hoping that Christopher will be standing down in the lobby, waiting, and hoping even more that he will let Mattias hug him, and that he will be brave enough to ask if he can have another kiss. Yeah. Because that is all Mattias can think of. Kiss. Kissing Christopher. Soft warm lips, and a hint of that spicy rich scented soap that follows Christopher around. The prickle of stubble against his skin.

“Are you all right, Mattias?” Rukshana asks, and she looks a little concerned whilst Mattias snaps back into reality.

“Yeah, yeah, long day. Need to get this little monkey home and get a good night's sleep. Weekend ahead and all that.” Mattias is talking a load of shit, and his cheeks are flaming. Again.

He needs to get his head together, fast. Get in that lift and grab his… houseguest? Flatmate? He almost laughs at himself then giggles with relief when he finds Christopher by the lifts on the ground floor, already bundled up with his parka zipped up under his chin.

“You coming?” Mattias smiles and pushes the pram forward, so Christopher can grab the handles.

“Always.” Christopher smiles back, stifling a yawn as they head out into the cold winter air.

“We never finished our conversation yesterday.” Mattias says, probably sounding a little out of breath, but he needs to get this out so he can get his answers. Because if he is going to be brave enough to ask for that kiss, he needs to know why. Why him. And maybe he needs to figure out exactly what it is he is asking for.

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