Page 68 of The Damaged Hearts Bargain

“Actually, I think there’s some in the back,” said Cal, lowering her voice so the child couldn’t hear. “If you want some?” She was sure George had pointed out a tray cooling in the oven.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” said Moira.

Cal went into the back and opened the oven, finding it still quite warm though the biscuits looked done. The shop bell rangagain as the door opened or closed. It ended up taking her a little longer than she’d thought to get warm biscuits from the oven and find a bag to put them in and all the rest. But finally she marched out, biscuit bag in hand.

“Lovely,” Moira said. “Oh, by the way—” She was interrupted by a wailing from the street outside.

“Oh dear,” Cal said.

Moira put a handful of change down on the counter. “Sorry, I’d better…”

“Right,” Cal said, scooping the change into her hand.

“Oh, and Elspeth,” began Moira. But the wailing outside got louder, like a police siren. Moira’s face paled and she rushed out.

“What was all that racket about?” George asked, coming back through the connecting door.

“Moira Hadley,” Cal said.

George shook his head. “I’ve no idea how she handles all those kids. Thanks for the help though, and sorry that took longer than I thought. Had to make a few recommendations.”

“Not a problem,” said Cal as the bell rang again and Lucy came in. “In fact, you’re bang on time.”

“Time for lunch,” said Lucy.

“If you’re heading out, can you take the cash bag for me?” George asked. “Just drop it in at the bank, you don’t need to wait, they’ll know it’s from us.”

“Probably because you and Pen sneak biscuits in there for the bank teller,” Lucy said. “But sure, just hurry it up, I’m starving.”

She turned to Cal. “Successful morning?” she asked as George opened the cash register.

“Average morning,” Cal said. “Or it was, right up until you walked in.” She smiled and was about to go up on tiptoes to kiss Lucy when George swore.

“What is it?” Lucy asked.

George looked up, cheeks flaming red. “There was sixty pounds in here,” he said. “Two twenties and two tens, right here under the insert.” He stared at Cal. “It’s gone.”

Cal’s heart pounded in her chest, beating harder and harderuntil she saw Lucy turning to her, looking at her, a question in her eyes. And then her heart stopped beating altogether.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Lucy looked from George to Cal and didn’t know what to do. In her heart she knew that Cal wouldn’t do something like this, couldn’t do it. But George was standing there with his face paling now and his hands trembling and Lucy had put everyone into this position in the first place.

“Let’s calm down,” she said, voice hoarse. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Let’s calm down.”

“I am calm,” Cal said. Even though she looked a bit like she’d been hit by a truck. “And let me make this easier for you.”

She pulled a wallet out of her back pocket, grabbed the notes inside, took what she needed and banged the cash down on the desk. Then, without another word, she walked straight out of the bakery.

Lucy didn’t move. She couldn’t. She realized that in the space of a second her life had gone from promising to ruins and she didn’t know what she could do to fix it.

“George…”

“I know,” George said. “I know. But Luce… I don’t know what else to think.”

“She didn’t do this.”

He looked miserable. “I don’t want her to have done this, Luce. Believe me, I really don’t. I know I was reluctant. But she wasnice. Friendly. Funny. She adores you, truly she does. I don’t want this to have happened. But…”

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