Page 125 of Tiers of Joy

“Amy this is Fiona, Gaige’s mom. Fiona this is Amy, my friend and the manager here.” I introduce.

“Nice to meet you.” Amy smiles.

“You pay someone to manage the place for you? It’s not exactly very big.” She snipes.

Amy looks to me and I shake my head.

“There is a café area upstairs too. We may not be very big but we are very busy and sell out most days.” I smile, gritting my teeth.

“Well, we shall see.” She huffs.

“We do. We are the best damn bakery in the whole town and the next town over.” Amy defends.

I place my hand on Amy’s arm and mouth ‘don’t worry about it’ to her.

We finish loading up the cakes and take them to the shop front to display them. Fiona doesn’t even offer to help, she just takes a seat and looks bored.

Josie arrives for her shift a little while later and we open the bakery.

It’s a normal busy Saturday and it doesn’t seem to stop. As I'm serving a customer I overhear Fiona talking to a gentlemen I’ve just served.

“If you like these cakes you must try Mama’s home bakes online. They deliver to your door and their brownies aren’t as dry as these. Oh and you’ll save money too.” She smiles.

“Esme.” Amy says next to me.

“I know Amy. Piping bags, stat!” I demand.

“Do you think that’s a good idea? I mean technically she’s your mother-in-law.” Amy says. Then she hands me the piping bags.

“She’s crossed the line too many times. I don’t care anymore.” I fume.

I walk around the counter and the customers part like I’m Moses parting the Red Sea. They know what it means when I’m locked and loaded with my piping bags.

The gentlemen Fiona is chatting to spots me over her shoulder. His eyes go wide and he practically sprints out of the door.

“Why are you running?” Fiona asks.

I tap her shoulder she turns around and eyes the piping bags.

“What are you doing? Piping more cakes?” She asks.

“Get out of my bakery.” I say calmly.

“What are you talking about? Silly girl.” She huffs, waving me off.

“I said get out of my bloody bakery.” I repeat, slowly losing my cool.

“I don’t think so. We both know that would upset Gaige and he loves his mother. He wouldn’t do that to me. You just wait, I will show him what you really are and you’ll be out of the picture. You’re just after his money.” She spits angrily.

I laugh.

“What money?! I couldn’t give a shit if he had millions in the bank! I have my own money, I don’t need his. Now this is your last warning. Get out of my shop or I will be forced to fire.” I threaten.

“You really have no idea about the money?” She asks.

It hits me then for a moment. I have no clue what she is on about regarding Gaige’s money. I don’t really care but she seems to know all about his money. She showed up with far too many suitcases to just be visiting.

“You’re broke, aren’t you?” I ask.

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