Page 59 of The Midnight Bakery
‘Aye, I reckon it does…’ He pursed his lips. ‘I’m not very good at asking for help,’ he said. ‘But I think I need to start practising.’
Frankie nodded. ‘You do…so, being serious for a minute, will you have something to eat with us? Not only now, but whenever you’re hungry. Obviously, I’m only here at night, but you’re very welcome to come up to the flat and have something with me. I have to eat too.’
The tips of Tam’s ears were pink but he smiled, a little shy but also, she could see, touched beyond measure. ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘Really, that means a great deal.’
William, who had been sitting with two fingers placed across his lips, clearly thinking about something, leaned forward. ‘Listen, I made out before that staying at my place would be a problem. It might be, but I should stand up for what I believe in. I’m quite happy to take on my landlord if it comes to it, and although it’s not a huge place, you’re welcome to stay there. I appreciate you might like your own space, even if it is only your car, but I want you to know it’s not your only option here.’ He held up a hand. ‘And don’t dismiss it outright because you don’t want to impose on me. Think about it, please.’
Tam nodded. ‘I will. I promise I will. And thank you, that’s?—’
‘No thanks required. I should have offered it ages ago. And even if the answer’s no, then going forward, you can use my address as your own. At least that might help you with your job hunting. You mentioned before your mate didn’t like you using his.’
‘Yeah, well, he’s definitely no mate, and after what I said to him earlier, I very much doubt I could use his address even if I wanted to.’
Frankie frowned. ‘How so?’
‘Because he was the person who ratted on me to my employers.’
‘But why on earth would he do that?’ she said, horrified on Tam’s behalf.
‘Because he’s a nasty piece of work, by the sounds of it,’ said William.
Tam nodded. ‘Yes, that, and because he wants me to work for him. He said he hadn’t meant to tell them and then, in the next breath, told me he’d done me a favour and I should jump at the chance of his job.’
‘Of all the slimy…Are some people really that stupid?’ asked Frankie. ‘How on earth did he think you’d work for him after he’s betrayed you not once, but twice now?’
‘I reckon he was banking on you being desperate,’ said William. ‘Which is the worst kind of blackmail if you think about it.’
Frankie shook her head. ‘No one should ever be that desperate. Don’t do it, Tam. Something else will turn up, I’m sure of it.’ William gave her a pointed look. ‘Yes, I know I’m a fine one to talk but…’
‘Don’t worry, I’m not about to,’ replied Tam. ‘Nothing would—’ His forehead suddenly furrowed. ‘Why are you a fine one to talk?’ he asked.
Frankie shook her head as if to bat away his question. ‘I’ve just found out the owner of this place might have found a buyer. But that doesn’t matter now. What matters is that?—’
‘Of course it matters,’ interrupted Tam. ‘I’m banging on about my job when a potential bombshell of your own is about to explode. How long will you have?’
‘I have no idea yet,’ replied Frankie. ‘Vivienne will ask them to keep me on, but I’ll have to wait and see.’
‘And what about your flat? Will they let you stay there too?’
‘Possibly, but the chap who’s interested is a developer. I expect he’ll want to do the place up and then rent it out for a price I haven’t a hope of affording. No doubt the bakery will geta makeover too, become “artisanal”.’ She put quotes around her last word with her fingers. ‘Although I suppose it could do with a bit of something…I mean, it’s fine, but it’s never going to win any awards, is it?’
‘I guess not…’ Tam’s gaze travelled around the room. ‘I hadn’t really thought about it, but maybe it could do with a little sprucing up.’
‘I’m not sure Vivienne’s heart is in it any more. Even before she got sick she didn’t bother much with the place, and she’s had it for years. There’s actually some beautiful display stuff she no longer uses in the storeroom – she just sits the bread straight on the shelves. I hadn’t thought much about it either until now, but it’s not exactly inviting. A bit utilitarian, maybe. And the use of the space here doesn’t work all that well, I’ve thought that for a while. There’s all this room out the back and yet the front is so cramped you can hardly get anyone in there. Three people and the shop’s crowded out.’
William gave Tam a knowing smile. ‘I think someone else might like to own it,’ he said.
‘Who?’ Frankie frowned at his expression. ‘What, me? God no, I wouldn’t know the first thing about running a business. Baking the bread I love, but I wouldn’t want the responsibility.’
‘Not even if it meant you’d be sitting in the driving seat instead of being a passenger?’ said William. ‘Responsible for the things which happen in your life instead of feeling as if someone else was in control?’
Frankie’s mouth gaped open. William wasn’t criticising her, she only had to look at the warmth in his eyes to know that. He was telling her her life was worth it, thatshewas worth it. She swallowed. Was she? She was about to reply when Tam cut in.
‘From the man who lost his business this might sound like a load of rubbish, but as long as it’s something you truly care about, then running a business is no different from anything elsein your life. We take care of the things we love, the things which bring us joy and which make us happy. Learning how to do that is never a chore. I wouldn’t want the responsibility of baking bread which is going to be sold to members of the public, yetyoulove it.’ He raised his eyebrows as if to challenge her. ‘So, you might find it isn’t all that difficult after all.’
William sat back in his chair and folded his arms, an amused expression on his face. ‘Playing devil’s advocate for a minute then…If youwererunning this place, what would you do?’
‘Oh, nice try,’ replied Frankie. ‘But it’s never going to happen, is it?’
