Page 29 of The Midnight Bakery
17
Frankie
‘What I hope is that whoever buys the bakery will keep you on,’ said Vivienne, nursing her mug with both hands. ‘And I shall certainly make that suggestion.’
Frankie nodded. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘That’s very kind. But the main thing is that you’re okay.’ It seemed like the right thing to say, even though Frankie’s brain was still reeling in shock from Vivienne’s announcement.
‘There are no guarantees, of course,’ replied Vivienne. ‘But I’ve been lucky. The tumour was very small, was caught early, and I’m told the treatment has been a complete success. The idea to sell the business took me by surprise, though,’ she added. ‘It certainly wasn’t something I was planning, not for a good few years yet, anyway. But as soon as I began to think about it, I realised it was what I wanted. I’m not getting any younger.’ She took a deep breath. ‘But that’s life, I guess. When a crisis hits it changes you, in ways you may not have imagined, but the one thing it does do is make you look at the decisions you’ve made inyour life. My husband and I realised it was time to take the foot off the gas and do something different with the rest of our lives.’
‘Makes total sense,’ said Frankie. ‘I think if I were in your position, I’d do the same. And who wouldn’t want to live by the sea?’ She smiled politely. ‘Do you know whereabouts yet?’
Vivienne shook her head. ‘We’ve got a shortlist of possibles, so it will be a case of visiting each to see where we like best. Our house is going on the market as well, so it could be some time before we’re able to make the move. Of course, it also depends on how quickly the business takes to sell, but I imagine it will be several months yet before anything is finalised. I hope that gives you enough time to make arrangements of your own?’
‘I’m sure it will, and I really appreciate you giving me as much notice as possible.’
Vivienne put down her mug of tea on Frankie’s coffee table. She’d barely even drunk half of it. ‘You must let me know if you need any help and, of course, providing any references you might need goes without saying. As I said, hopefully it won’t come to that, but do please let me know.’
Frankie cleared her throat. ‘I will, thank you…and…um…will you be selling the flat as well?’ She hadn’t wanted to ask, but she had to know. There was a tiny possibility things might not be as bad as they seemed.
Vivienne smiled awkwardly, making ready to leave. This wasn’t a social call, after all. ‘I’m sorry, but we’ll need the money from both the flat and the business if we’re to make our move.’
And there it was. Every bit as bad as Frankie feared. ‘Of course,’ she said. ‘I understand.’ She got to her feet to make it easier for Vivienne, leading her through into the kitchen. ‘I was going to make you a cake and pop it round later…I’m glad you’re okay.’
Vivienne was starting to look embarrassed. ‘That’s very sweet, but really it should be the other way around. I shouldbe making a cake foryou. It’s been a tough few weeks, but I’m lucky I can put it behind me now. I appreciate you being so understanding, though. I know this isn’t easy news to hear. Hopefully nothing will change but…Anyway, if you need a reference or anything, please let me know.’
‘I will,’ said Frankie. ‘And thank you. I’ve really enjoyed my time at Duggan’s.’
Vivienne dipped her head. ‘I will miss it,’ she said. ‘But I think it’s the right thing to do.’
Frankie couldn’t sleep after Vivienne left. It had been surprise enough practically barging into her when she’d just been the subject of her discussion with Mel, but even more so when she asked if she might come up and have a chat. And as for her news…
Frankie was also unused to having visitors. It made her feel awkward, self-conscious about the smallness of her home and its obvious make-do-and-mend appearance. She hated feeling that way, especially as Vivienne had been so lovely to let her have the flat in the first place. It was at times like these that Frankie felt her insecurities even more keenly. Part of her almost felt sorry for Vivienne. Actually, given what she’d had to say, Frankie felt terrible, knowing what she’d been through. And the fact that she’d had to impart her news in what were clearly sparse surroundings couldn’t have made it easy for her. Vivienne was a nice person, and it was obvious that leaving a ticking time bomb in the wake of her visit was something she really hadn’t wanted to do. But Frankie understood Vivienne’s position perfectly. Life was short; Frankie was only too aware of that.
She shivered as she crossed the bakery kitchen and peered out the window. She wasn’t cold, but the night was, bitterly so. She could only see a sliver of sky from where she wasstanding – deepest inky blue and shot through with stars. March could be such a harsh month, and although the cloudless days were cheerful enough, they brought with them below-zero temperatures and heavy frosts. The cobbles outside were already glittering dangerously. Frankie gripped her mug tighter, sipping her tea, grateful that she was warm and safe inside. It was just one of the many advantages to working at Duggan’s, and she had taken her comfort, along with everything else, for granted. Where would she find another job which suited her so well? Or any job, in fact. Let alone somewhere else to live.
A figure turned into the alley, and she automatically took a step back before recognising the silhouette. It hadn’t taken long at all for it to become familiar – the relaxed gait seemingly at odds with the broad bulk of the man. She smiled. William must be on his way home and her tea break seemed to coincide with his appearance more and more often these days.
It had been almost two weeks since she had first met William and, although she’d had no more bother with drunken louts, true to his word he had checked she was okay every day since then. Sometimes he gave a jaunty wave, sometimes it was a cheery salute, and it was oddly comforting, knowing that he was out there keeping an eye on things, even if it was only for a few moments.
A few days ago, while out running errands, she’d even gone to find the estate agents he had spoken of and, sure enough, therewasa green door to the left of it, just as he’d said. She’d stared at it for quite a few minutes, wondering if he was inside, before tutting and walking back down the street. She felt foolish for having done so, but she had also acknowledged that a part of her felt better. It was most likely that her imagination had been working overtime, but the fear it might not have been never left her.
With a cheery thumbs up, William walked on by, and she watched until he reached the far end of the alley, disappearing from view as he turned the corner for home. She wondered whether he would be having eggs for breakfast, smiling at the thought of him slicing his bread into soldiers. Perhaps he might even put on some music while they were cooking, but somehow she doubted it; William didn’t look much like a dancer. With a tut, she swallowed the rest of her tea before turning away from the window. She could feel the cold air coming off the panes of glass – stand there any longer and she’d soon feel chilly herself. Besides, she had work to do.
She left her mug by the sink and was about to collect some maize flour from the store when a thought came to her. And it was such an outlandish thought that it stopped her in her tracks. She rolled it around in her head for a few moments, savouring the unusual feel of it, and wondering what it was that had put it there. It was definitely not the kind of thought Frankie normally had and that in itself was surprising. It was a good thought though. It was a lovely thought, but did Frankie really have the nerve to carry it out? Frances definitely wouldn’t, but Frankie…She looked towards the window again, wondering what it must feel like to be adrift on such a freezing night.
Her hand rested on the storeroom door. If she thought about it too much she wouldn’t do it, that much was obvious – she’d talk herself out of it. She needed to push open the door quick and get on with it before she changed her mind. Focus on just this one thing, push everything else out of her head and not think about what she would actually be doing…
It had long been a mystery to her why there was a flask and a hot-water bottle in the storeroom, leftovers from some long-ago crisis perhaps but, like everything else in there, Frankie had cared for them – wiped dust from the flask and loosened the stopper on the water bottle in case the rubber perished. The flaskwas a good size, too, plenty big enough for several cups. The only question now was whether to fill it with tea or coffee.
Carrying both items to the sink, Frankie set the kettle to boil again and, while she waited, busied herself choosing some pastries. She decided on tea for the first time – she could easily ask what he preferred going forward – and she would take some sugar in a little bag instead of adding it to the tea, just in case he had it without. Minutes later, having given the flask a good rinse out first, she made a strongish brew and then filled the hot-water bottle as well, putting both on the side while she fetched her coat. She paused by the door, before shaking her head.Out you go, Frankie, don’t stop to think or you’ll never do it.
After the warmth of the bakery, the cold night air fairly took her breath away, and she nestled her neck deeper into the warm, furry collar of her coat. The action only served to strengthen her resolve. Not everyone had the luxury of a warm place to be, and she hoped he at least had warm clothes and blankets. She reached the car park before she even considered that Tam might not be there. Hadn’t Beth said he’d been thinking of moving on? Course, if he was there, he would also probably be asleep.
She almost turned back. Stupid…If hewasasleep, it had probably taken him an age to get that way and he wouldn’t take kindly to her waking him up. Plus, she’d have to rouse him in the first place, and that would be plain awkward. But then she looked at the things she carried, knowing what a difference they could make. Her discomfort was nothing compared to his.
Scanning the car park, she wondered which car belonged to Beth and which might be Tam’s. There weren’t many cars here at all, and any of them could be his. She spotted one, parked up against the far wall, close to the only light. She moved closer, heart beginning to pound.
As it was, she needn’t have worried about having to wake Tam. As she neared, trying to see through the dark glint of thewindows, she realised that he was already sitting up. He was also watching her steadily as she approached. She lifted the flask and hot-water bottle so he could see them; what on earth did you say in this kind of situation?
