Page 32 of The Midnight Bakery
‘Did you sleep in the end?’ she asked, changing the subject.
A dreamy smile crossed Tam’s face. ‘I’ve not long woken up,’ he said. ‘I know it was only for three hours or so but compared to what it would have been had you not shown up, it feels like the best night’s sleep ever.’
Frankie rolled her eyes. ‘You’re just being kind,’ she said. ‘I bet it was nothing of the sort.’
He grinned. ‘Trust me, I stopped dreaming about eight hours a night quite some time ago.’
‘You’ve been homeless a while then?’
‘A while, yes. Actually, not that long in the grand scheme of things, but long enough. I’m hoping that might change, obviously.’
‘Of course,’ said Frankie. ‘And you have a job, at least.’
‘I do…but not one I have a hope of hanging onto for much longer if my situation doesn’t change. Employers don’t like staff with no fixed abode. It makes them nervous. I’m not saying they’d rather employ Bob the axe murderer, so long as he lives in a nice three-bed semi in Walton Street, but that’s the way it comes across. It’s as ifIdon’t matter. So, despite the fact that being homeless doesn’t change me as a person, apparently it does.’ Tam held up his hand, smiling. ‘You were going to apologise again, I can tell. There’s no need, it is what it is. And you’ve been kind enough, I shouldn’t burden you with my problems.’
Frankie stared at him. Wasn’t that exactly what she’d just been thinking? ‘Iwasgoing to say sorry, but only toempathise, not apologise.’ She returned his smile. ‘My boss told me earlierthat she’s selling the business, but I won’t burden you with my tales of woe either.’
‘Ah…touché. I’m sorry to hear about that though.’
Tam shoved his hands in his pockets, hunching his shoulders. ‘I know you said it was okay to keep hold of the flask for now, but I can go and fetch it if you want it back, I didn’t want to presume…’
‘No, hang onto it. The temperature is set to be well below freezing for the next three days or so,’ Frankie replied. ‘But you’re welcome to bring it by any time for a refill. The hot-water bottle too. I’m here from about eleven?—’
A sudden tap on the window made them both jump. Frankie whirled around to see William’s concerned face peering at her. He motioned towards the door.
‘Everything okay?’ he asked as she opened it. ‘Only…’ His eyes flicked past her to where Tam was standing. ‘I was just passing and saw you had company…I thought it best to check.’
‘Thank you, but I’m fine. Um, this is Tam, he?—’
‘Just popped in to use the facilities,’ supplied Tam. ‘Friendly neighbourhood homeless person,’ he replied, a slight edge to his voice. He was about to add something further when he stopped, a puzzled expression on his face. ‘I think I know you, don’t I? Or I’veseenyou at least…’
William peered closer. ‘The car park?’ He nodded. ‘I’ve seen you there too.’ He stared at Frankie. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.’
‘It was good of you to check on me,’ replied Frankie, her cheeks growing a little hot. ‘William very kindly came to my rescue one night,’ she explained to Tam. ‘I got caught up with some lads who’d had rather too much of everything and thought my sandwiches were fair game.’
‘They’d been to the club where I work,’ added William. ‘So, I helped them on their way. I promised Frankie I’d keep an eye onthings and I was worried someone else was…you know, being a pain.’ He smiled awkwardly. ‘Sorry, that was presumptuous of me.’
‘You were probably right,’ replied Tam. ‘And I was just leaving anyway, so…’
Frankie looked from one to the other. ‘I need to get on,’ she said, amusement in her voice. ‘Or I won’t be ready to open up shop, but you’re both very welcome to a cup of tea, I’ve not long boiled the kettle.’
‘I probably shouldn’t,’ said Tam.
‘I was just passing,’ said William.
‘But actually, that would be lovely,’ said Tam and William.
Frankie grinned. ‘Right then, there’s the kettle and the mugs, and the tea bags are in the cupboard. Help yourselves. And milk, no sugar for me.’ She picked up a couple of mixing bowls and made her way back to the storeroom.
‘Where were you headed so early this morning anyway?’ she called to William. ‘Did you fall out of bed or something?’
William seemed to think her comment enormously funny for some reason. ‘Or something,’ he replied with a grin, but then his face sobered. ‘I don’t usually sleep more than a few hours at a time. A habit I’ve got into over the last few years…too noisy where I was before,’ he added in explanation. ‘So this morning I thought I’d go for a walk to clear my head.’ He glanced at Tam. ‘I wanted to check on something, too, but you might be able to save me the bother.’
Tam pointed a finger towards his chest in the classic ‘who me?’ gesture.
William nodded. ‘You wouldn’t have happened to notice if there was a grey van parked up by you last night, would you? And if it’s still there this morning?’
Tam narrowed his eyes. ‘Yeah, I’ve seen it. Why the interest?’
