After what Valerie could only call a disaster, she drove herself home. She passed the Indian shop she got her curry from. She became embittered.

“Why not?” She muttered to herself. She could do with something sweet.

The all too familiar ring of the bell above the door was heard by the woman at the counter. She had been preoccupied on her phone.

“Yeah.Yeah, I’ll get the coriander from next door. Has Nicki done her homework? I’ll help her out when I get home. Well, I’ve got a customer waiting. Love you.”

She looked up to see the well dressed woman walking around the store on the monitor on the counter. She was picking up bags and packets, putting some in the basket she had also picked up. When she seemed to be content, she made her way to the counter.

“Back so soon, Valerie?” Said the woman at the counter.

“Just picking up a few things, I need to relax after the day I’ve had” she sighed.

The woman nodded as she put the prices into the till. “Is that what the masala is for?”

“Masala?” Valerie asked.

“Masala just means spices, for the chai that you're making.” the woman gestured to the bag she was packing. “Fennel, anise, cinnamon?”

“Oh yeah, for the chai tea.”

“Just chai. Chai also just means tea.”

Valerie was genuinely intrigued by this.

“Anything else, can I have some jalebi too?” she pointed to the cabinet behind her. “Five should do.”

The woman put five in a paper bag and placed that bag in the initial bag. Valerie paid the amount displayed on the till. Bag in hand, she goes to leave.

“Thank you Jaya. If I don't see you in the next few days, Have a good Diwali.”

“Stay safe, Valerie.” Jaya waved.