Okay, let's talk about Chapter 31. The one where things get…interesting.
Remember how Agnes was trying to get Bartholomew on board with her plan to, shall we say, "reorganize" the spice rack?
Well, Chapter 31 is where the rubber meets the road. Or, in this case, where the nutmeg meets the cinnamon.
The Great Spice Rack Rebellion
It all starts subtly. Agnes decides a little "show, don't tell" is in order. Instead of arguing, she just starts…organizing.
One evening, Bartholomew walks into the kitchen to find all the spices alphabetized. A-Z. Even the obscure ones he bought on that trip to Marrakech.
His initial reaction? Mild confusion, followed by a faint feeling of…unease. It's the same feeling he gets when she rearranges the living room furniture. He knows something is brewing.
Operation: Culinary Harmony
The next phase involves strategic placement. Agnes knows Bartholomew loves Italian food. So, she places all the Italian herbs – oregano, basil, rosemary – at eye level.
She even prints out little labels with cooking suggestions. "Rosemary: Perfect for roasting chicken!" "Basil: A match made in heaven with tomatoes!"
Bartholomew notices, of course. He's not blind. He just pretends he doesn't. He's a master of passive resistance, our Bartholomew.
The Turning Point (Maybe?)
Here's where it gets good. Agnes, in a moment of inspired brilliance (or perhaps desperation), decides to bake Bartholomew's favorite cookies.
But she "accidentally" runs out of vanilla extract. "Oh, Bartholomew," she sighs dramatically. "Whatever shall I do?"
Bartholomew, bless his heart, jumps up to save the day. He rummages through the spice rack, carefully navigating the alphabetically organized jars.
And there it is, nestled between the thyme and the turmeric: vanilla extract. Victory!
A Spice Convert is Born?
The moment Bartholomew pulls out that vanilla extract, something shifts. Maybe it's the smell of the baking cookies. Maybe it's the sheer convenience of finding what he needs.
Or maybe, just maybe, he realizes that Agnes's spice rack obsession isn't about control, but about love (and perfectly flavored cookies).
He even *smiles* slightly. A tiny, barely perceptible smile, but a smile nonetheless.
As Agnes watches him, she knows she's made progress. Bartholomew isn't entirely "on her side" yet, but he's at least considering the possibility.
The cookies are a hit, by the way. And the spice rack? Well, it remains alphabetically organized. For now.
The Cliffhanger
The chapter ends with Bartholomew asking Agnes where she put the garam masala. He needs it for his famous lentil soup.
Agnes beams. "Right where it should be, darling. Under 'G'."
But as Bartholomew turns back to the spice rack, Agnes has a thought. A mischievous glint appears in her eye. Maybe next week, she'll organize the tea collection…
Chapter 31 leaves us with a sense of hope, humor, and a reminder that even the smallest victories can be the sweetest, especially when they involve cookies and cleverly organized spices.