Page 57 of The Midnight Bakery
To Beth’s surprise, an anxious expression came over Frankie’s face. ‘Except that it’s not that simple, is it? You know that phone call I mentioned earlier?’ She sighed. ‘It was from my boss, the owner of the bakery. She thinks she’s found someone to buy the business. I knew it was going to happen, but I really thought I’d have more time, and what’s worse is that the prospective buyer is a property developer, so he wants to buy the flat too.’
Beth’s mouth dropped open. ‘I don’t know what to say…that’s awful news. Can she do that? Yes, silly, of course she can. But there must be something we can do. Has she said how soon it’s going to happen?’
Frankie shook her head. ‘She and her husband still need to sell their house before they can move and buy something else, so I guess it will be as long as it takes for that to happen. She hasn’t said yet whether this person will want to keep me on, but if they don’t, there’s not a lot I can do.’
Thoughts were whirling in Beth’s mind. There wasn’t any sense to them yet, but…‘We’ll sort this, Frankie. I don’t know how, but one thing at a time, we’ll sort this.’ She glanced at her watch and pulled a face. ‘I’m really sorry, but I’m going to be late if I don’t get a move on. Are you sure you’re okay being here on your own?’
Frankie nodded. ‘I won’t be on my own, William will be here soon. He said he’d walk me to work.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘All of the four steps from my flat to the bakery’s front door.’
‘Good. And make sure you don’t do anything. Your wrist won’t take it kindly if you do, and it’ll be a few more days before you can even begin to test it. Keep it in the sling and, if you can bear to, just rotate it gently every hour or so to keep it mobile.’
‘Don’t worry, I’m quite happy to let William take over. He’s got the makings of a surprisingly good baker.’ She checkedherself as if a thought had suddenly crossed her mind. ‘Shouldn’t you hear aboutyourjob soon?’ she asked.
Beth swallowed. ‘It might even be tonight. And I’m hopeful things will be all right. I passed Matron in the corridor as I left this morning and, although she didn’t say anything, she gave me a huge thumbs up. You wouldn’t do that if you were about to make someone redundant, would you? Besides, I can’t believe the universe would be so unkind now, not when for the first time in a long time there’s a little glimmer of hope.’
Frankie got up to walk Beth to the door, pulling her into a one-armed hug at the last minute. ‘Sometimes all you need is hope,’ she said.
29
Frankie
Frankie knew she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help but watch William while he worked. And while it was true that she did need to keep an eye on what he was doing, there were plenty of occasions when her gaze lingered even though she knew he was quite capable of performing the task in hand. For a big man, he was surprisingly agile, and had an economy of movement that fascinated her. It was no surprise that he lifted the huge tubs of dough with ease, likewise the sacks of flour, but he could also handle pastry with an unexpectedly light touch. He caught her looking once or twice, fixated by the way the tendons rippled in his arms as he kneaded dough, but he didn’t say a thing, simply smiled.
Just as he promised, William had called by the flat a few minutes before she was due to leave. It had felt odd after being on her own. Odd, but oddly nice, too, even if she did feel a little awkward. Her confession to Beth about wanting William to kiss her was still far too fresh in her mind and she was sure it wouldshow in her face as she greeted him. But, if it had, William gave no sign that he noticed.
Her awkwardness aside, however, she was still incredibly grateful for William’s help. For all she knew, Robert might be watching her, but he would never show himself if William were around. Despite Beth’s offer to be at their meeting, the thought of seeing Robert again still terrified her, but she had an even more pressing problem now. She had no idea what she would do when the bakery sold, and the possibility of losing her job and her home was a reality she couldn’t ignore.
‘Penny for them?’ said William, as she stared vacantly out of the window.
‘You’re good at this,’ she said. ‘I was just wondering if you’d like a job, which is a bit of a bugger really given that Vivienne thinks she might have found a buyer for the business.’
William paused mid-knead, up to his knuckles in as yet sticky dough. ‘What?’ he said. ‘How soon?’
Frankie pulled a face. ‘I don’t know, she didn’t say.’ She quickly relayed the contents of the conversation.
Dismay tugged the corners of William’s mouth downward. ‘So, you still don’t know what that means for you?’
‘Nope. But I get it. Who wouldn’t want to go and live by the sea given half the chance? I know she’s been poorly, but I like it here, William. And just when it looked as if things might be getting better, too. Great timing.’ She paused. ‘Sorry, that makes me sound horrible…’ William’s impression of her was suddenly very important. ‘And I’m not, honestly. I understand perfectly how she must be feeling, but?—’
A knock on the door interrupted her. It was Tam, peering at them through the window. Frankie hurried to let him in.
‘I’m glad you’re here,’ she said. ‘William’s such a hard taskmaster, he won’t let me stop for a second, and I’m dying for a cup of tea.’
William snorted. ‘As if.’
Tam eyed her wrist. ‘Is it feeling any better?’
‘Much better…as long as I don’t move it.’
Tam winced. ‘Well, if you need any more help…I’m not sure how much use I’ll be, but the spirit’s willing.’
‘Thanks, Tam. I’ll see how the new apprentice goes and let you know.’
‘Oi,’ muttered William, pretending to be offended. ‘The new apprentice is doing just fine, thank you.’
Frankie held her hand up to her mouth as if to shield her words from William, and stage-whispered, ‘I’ll be in touch.’
‘Anyway, he already has a job,’ said William. ‘He’s not having this one.’
