CHAPTER 28
AN OBSTACLE
Blanca leaned in her seat at a cafe in Ipanema. A row of timber posts led down steps to an outdoor patio. Round wooden tables matched the low-backed chairs. High in one corner, a large TV played a football game. A few patrons at the bar craned their heads to watch and curse each time the Brazilian team failed to get a goal.
The scents of herbs, spices and freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Rhythmic Latin music poured out of the overhead speakers, muffling the sounds of the small groups of patrons who weren’t cursing the football team. Blanca found her body swaying to the beat as she savoured the chilled gazpacho.
Isabela watched, amused, as the football fans slapped each other on the shoulders when a Brazilian scored a goal. She turned to Blanca. “You and Carl
