he who hesitates is toast

She washes the bowls and utensils and rinses them under steaming hot water, her hands pink from heat now as well as the cherry juice, then sets them to drain. The kitchen is beginning to fill with the scent of cooking pastry and cherries, and she allows herself a moment of optimism before she looks at the oven and groans.

"I forgot to set the timer," she says, aggrieved. "How long ago did we put it in, do you think?"