Page 30 of The Midnight Bakery
‘Hello…Tam?’ She peered closer. ‘My name’s Frankie…I’ve brought some things for you.’
Tam’s car was an estate and with the back seats removed there was quite a large space in which to lie down. Tam, however, was huddled in one corner, leaning against the rear of the driver’s seat. She didn’t want to open a door or the boot and have all the cold air rush in, neither did she want him to open a window, but practically shouting at him from outside wasn’t ideal either. He was still watching her, all but expressionless. She smiled.
‘I’ve got some tea…and a hot-water bottle,’ she said. ‘I thought you might like them.’
She was beginning to feel very foolish, and very cold herself. She should have worn her gloves. And she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t blame Tam for being wary of her – he must think her presence odd to say the least, but he could saysomething. Otherwise she might have to leave the things she’d brought on the ground and just back away – which felt horribly like feeding some kind of wild animal. She tried again.
‘I’m sorry, this must seem very strange, but I work at the bakery around the corner – on the night shift – and I was thinking how bitter it was outside when I remembered what Beth had said about you?—’
At the mention of her name, Tam leaned forward and pulled on the door handle. ‘Beth sent you?’ he said as the door swung open.
‘No, she didn’t send me, but I’m a friend of hers and…I just wondered whether you might like these?’
Tam stretched out his arms to take the flask from her. ‘I don’t know what to say, this is amazing. Thank you…’ He paused a moment, as if unsure what to do next. ‘Do you want to get in? Sorry, you’ll have to go round the other side. I’ll shift my stuff.’
‘I’ll clamber over, don’t worry.’ She hurried around to the passenger side and pulled the door open, climbing inside to sit on a relatively clear patch of blanket. She quickly shut the door behind her, but it didn’t seem to make much difference. It felt as cold inside the car as it was outside.
It wasn’t until she was sitting looking at Tam that she realised how absurd the situation was. He might be known to Beth, but Tam was still a total stranger to her, and it was the middle of the night. Evidently the same thought had just occurred to Tam. He gave a low chuckle. ‘Well, this is interesting…I can’t say I’ve ever had this happen to me before.’
‘Me neither,’ Frankie replied. ‘I almost didn’t come. But I realised if I didn’t do it as soon as I had the thought, I wouldn’t do it at all, and it’s freezing tonight, that’s the point. It had to be now, really, or not at all.’ She frowned. ‘Not that this wouldn’t be a good idea on any other night but…you know what I mean,’ she finished, thoughts tied in knots.
‘I do,’ said Tam. ‘And it is bloody freezing. I’m very grateful.’ He took the hot-water bottle and shoved it inside his sleeping bag. ‘Really, very grateful.’
‘I didn’t know what you preferred either, so I’ve brought tea. I hope that’s okay.’ She fished in her pocket. ‘And I have some sugar too if you want it.’
‘I don’t usually,’ replied Tam. ‘Although I’ll take it this time, if you don’t mind. I’m craving sugary stuff at the moment.’
‘Perhaps it helps keep you warm,’ said Frankie.
‘Aye, it could well be that. Worth a try, I reckon.’
Frankie nodded. ‘I was worried I’d have to wake you.’
He shook his head. ‘I think I’ve managed about half an hour’s sleep so far. I got off okay, but woke up pretty sharpish, and that was it. Once you get cold, you’ve had it, it’s very hard to get warm again.’
‘It must be,’ replied Frankie, giving him a shy smile. She didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t sound rude. It wasn’t as if Tam could simply put on another jumper. She was certain he would have taken every precaution he could against the chill, and asking if there was somewhere else he could sleep was just plain insensitive – if there was, Tam would already be there. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said instead.
Tam frowned. ‘Not your fault,’ he said.
‘No,’ agreed Frankie. ‘But I’m still sorry you’re in this situation. I can’t imagine what it must be like.’
‘The worst thing is there’s nowhere to go,’ said Tam. ‘Night-time is closed. And it’s the loneliest place you can imagine. There’s nowhere to sit, or get warm, so I stay here, hunched and cold and uncomfortable, knowing that outside is even worse.’
Frankie suddenly remembered what else she had brought with her and pulled the bag from her pocket. ‘Perhaps these will make the night feel a little better.’
Tam took the bag with a look of wonder on his face. ‘This is a really kind thing you’ve done.’
‘You did a kindness for a friend of mine,’ said Frankie. ‘I thought that was worth repaying.’
Tam looked sideways at her. ‘Even so, most people wouldn’t have.’
‘I try not to be most people,’ Frankie replied. ‘Admittedly I don’t know that many, but mostly the things they do or say make me nervous, so I stay out of their way.’
‘Then coming here must not have been easy for you?’
‘No, I…’ Frankie dropped her head. ‘I’m trying to feel a little freer about things.’
‘And you thought you’d start with me?’ Tam grinned. ‘I’m honoured and, like I said, extremely grateful. People confuse me, too, some of them anyway. I can never quite figure out what makes them act the way they do.’
