A Morning Laugh Chases Away Woes

Previously

…As the judges moved on to the next table, Barnaby let out a shaky breath. He’d done it. He’d survived the initial shock and awe. The Hedgehog Surprise, a testament to a lost starter, a family of hedgehogs, and a healthy dose of bewilderment, had not only been tasted but, dare he hope, appreciated. He looked at his creation, its lumpy, textured surface now seeming less like a culinary disaster and more like a badge of honor. The year’s supply of artisanal cheese was still a distant hope, but for the first time all day, Barnaby Buttercup felt a genuine, unforced laugh bubble up from his chest. The chaos, it seemed, had indeed baked into something surprisingly wonderful.