It spattered almost immediately. Those fires were eternal nothing in that intensely hot cellar was ever turned off. The fires had burnt since time immemorial, fuelled with wood, coal, rubbish anything combustible the village could provide. The meat and garlic sizzled on contact with the fat, and the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and parsley followed in quick succession. Quick you must be quick, breathed Salvinu, coming up behind the boy and slamming on the heavy lid.
Timing is everything in cooking.
Do everything on time, in its time. Kalanc did not know the answer this time. He looked directly into the cook s eyes and saw wide dilated pupils that fully reflected his face. The black eyes were wide, avidly awaiting the answer. Salvinu was genuinely engrossed in his cooking, and it seemed he was anxious, after all, to pass on his skill.