Page 8 of The Midnight Bakery
He paused in the alleyway beside Duggan’s bakery. There was a vent from which the most heavenly warmth wafted into the air. Warmth that was laden with a smell so intoxicating that William liked to stand still, breathing it in, imagining eating a breakfast that would smell just like it. He did it for as long as he could before his stomach growled with hunger, but for those few moments he could almost taste the sugary glazed pastries and the loaves of bread, fresh and doughy, slice after slice smothered in butter.
With a sigh he carried on down the alley, leaving the shops behind. He crossed over the road, walked through the car park and then down the tiny side street where the club’s neon lights were stark against the dark sky. His heart began to beat somewhat quicker at the thought of the conversation ahead of him.
Heading around the side of the building, William pressed the buzzer beside the scratched and dented blue door which only the staff used and waited for Rick to let him in. Rick spent most of his time on the phone inside a small, windowless office. What he did, William had no idea, and he’d never had a conversation with him that was long enough for him to ask. William bade him a good evening as he passed, the same as he did every night, but today there was no reply at all. On the few occasions Rick did reply it was mostly words of one syllable, or a grunt. Being polite never hurt anyone though, so William would continue to greet him for as long as he worked there.
There was almost half an hour to go before William’s shift started. He liked to get there early, to ready himself for his duties without feeling rushed or underprepared, and tonight he was earlier still. What he had to say to Danny wouldn’t take long but he didn’t want their conversation to eat into his normal routine.
Opening his locker, he eased off his raincoat just as a gruff voice came from behind him.
‘Stuart wants to see you,’ said Rick, turning on his heel before William could reply. ‘He’s out front.’
William stared at Rick’s retreating back and swallowed, straightening his shirt and hitching his trousers a little higher. He didn’t want to give Stuart any excuse to pull him up. He passed a hand over his hair and checked that his shoes were still gleaming before pulling open the door which led inside the club.
Stuart was behind the bar flirting with Linda and Sam, two of the VIP waitresses. They were all laughter and smiles, happilyengaging in the banter, and William often wondered what they really thought of the oily barman – whether they actually liked him or whether it was just part of the job. Either way, William liked them both. They probably thought he was old enough to be their grandfather, but they’d always been really nice to him, and Sam had even brought in extra food for him on a few occasions. She said it was leftovers she didn’t have room to freeze, and William was pretty sure that was just a little white lie, but he was very grateful all the same. Sam smiled as William approached before melting away with Linda in tow. Whatever Stuart needed to talk to him about it was obvious that both women had been told to make themselves scarce.
William prepared a smile. ‘Evening, Stuart, Rick mentioned you’d like a word.’
‘I do indeed, Bill. Walk with me a moment.’
William nodded and followed Stuart to the edge of the stage. There was no live event on tonight, so the area was dark and full of shadows.
‘So how long have you worked here now, Bill?’ asked Stuart. ‘It must be a fair few months.’
‘Nearly nine,’ he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. He didn’t like the overly chummy tone in Stuart’s voice; it sparked of insincerity and it occurred to him there was every possibility Stuart would ensure he didn’t make it to ten.
‘And everything going okay, is it?’ asked Stuart.
‘I’d have said so, yes.’
‘Excellent.’
Stuart paused a moment, his eyes roving William’s face. He leaned in. ‘Thing is, Bill, I’ve been watching you and you strike me as the kind of person who knows what’s important in life. And it occurred to me that we might be able to help each other out.’
William nodded. He hadn’t a clue what Stuart was talking about.
‘It’s not something I offer to everyone, but it strikes me that you have some special qualities, which might mean you’re open to certain possibilities…’
‘Possibilities?’
‘Yeah…like a little bit of extra work…and no questions asked.’
A hot flicker of alarm stirred William’s stomach. ‘I’m not sure I understand. I did explain when I came for my interview that I was putting my past behind me.’
‘Not that easy though, is it?’
William dropped his head. ‘No, but, like I explained, this is a fresh start and?—’
‘Bill, Bill, I believe you, mate,’ interrupted Stuart with a lazy smile. ‘We wouldn’t have taken you on if we didn’t, would we? But you have to recognise that you’re not everyone’s cup of tea, are you?’
‘Maybe so, but I deserve to be given a chance, same as the next man.’
‘It’s a nice thought, Bill, I see that. But you and me both know that in the real world it doesn’t happen like that. I don’t like it any more than you do, but I don’t make the rules.’ He sniffed and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. ‘And we’re getting away from the subject in hand, so let me put it like this. I have a very special friend who’s having a party next week, at a nice little private venue, with some…special guests. And I need a bit of help to ensure that everyone has a good time. You understand?’ He smiled again. ‘Bit like you do here, only this time it’s cash in hand because you’re going to keep your mouth shut, okay? It’s the kind of party that no one else needs to know about.’
William swallowed and his heart sank. ‘The illegal kind, you mean.’
‘Bill, don’t be like that…It’s just a few games of cards, where’s the harm?’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘I wouldn’t have thought I’d have to tell you what a good opportunity this is. I’d have thought a man in your position could always do with a little extra cash, and if you do your job well then there could be a lot more where that came from.’
‘I’m grateful, Stuart, don’t think I’m not, but I’m trying to do an honest day’s work here and be paid for it, that’s all. I don’t think the kind of offer you’re talking about will do me much good. So, if it’s all the same, I’d rather pass.’
