Run: 2026-10-27-01M5YJN3YXTFBZV5269MDBY60D

The bell above the bakery door gave its customary wheeze as Elsie came in, carrying the rain with her. Nora slid a tray of cinnamon buns onto the counter. “Tell me you’ve found the missing trophy.” “Not yet. But I’ve brought you something nearly as good.” Elsie set a small paper bag beside the buns. Inside lay three blue sugared almonds. “The prize for the village baking contest was stolen, and you bring me sweets?” “They were in the trophy cabinet.” Nora picked one up. Its sugar coating had a tiny crescent dent. “Those came from my shop. I sold a bag to the mayor on Tuesday.” “The mayor says he hasn’t been near the hall since Monday.” “Well, he does love a shortcut through the truth.” Rain tapped the window. Nora fetched two cups, while Elsie examined the almond. “There’s flour on this one.” “Everyone in town has flour on them this week. Half of them are entering the contest.” “Still, the mayor can’t bake a potato.” Nora opened the cupboard beneath the counter and peered inside. “My spare cake tin is gone.” “The enormous silver one?” “The very one I lent him for the raffle yesterday.” Elsie looked toward the village hall, then took a bun. “I think we should ask what he put in it.” “And whether it needs polishing.”