Page 60 of Tiers of Joy

“Yes well thank you for that. I was trying to give him a nice send off and then there was a gust of wind which blew him back into my face.” I say annoyed.

Gaige bursts out laughing.

“This isn’t funny!” I yell.

“Oh Esme, I think it is. It could only happen to you.” He laughs.

I smirk and fight my own smile. Jay would be absolutely pissing his pants laughing at me right now. Bastard! I burst out laughing.

“Damn it, I was trying to give him a nice send off and it backfired. Literally.” I laugh.

Both of our laughters die down. The air becomes thick with tension and awkwardness.

“Well I have to go. I shall leave you to it.” He says while jogging off.

I slump back onto the bench and sigh.

I sit with my own thoughts and watch the sun rise. I look at the time and figure I best get back to let Bob in. I ring Sally on my way.

“It go okay?” She asks.

“You’ll never guess what happened.” I say to her.

I update Sally on what happened and she cries with laughter and fully expects Jay was behind the whole thing.

I don’t see Gaige again. I ask Ted at the hardware store where all of Gaige’s furniture has gone. Apparently he has gone out of town for a while, no one seems to know where he’s gone or if he’s coming back.

I'm gutted as it’s coming up to the opening of the bakery and he’s the one person I want there.

“Little to the left. No that’s too much, down a bit. Yeah, yep! Stop! Perfect!” I clap. I’m watching the guys put up the sign for my bakery. Bob climbs back down the ladder.

“Tiers Of Joy eh?” He says smiling. “Where did you come up with that name?” he asks.

“My late husband wrote it to me in a letter.” I say smiling. I wipe away a stray tear.

Bob puts his arm around me and gives me a squeeze.

“You did good darling.” He says smiling.

I rest my head on him and sigh.

“I’m opening in three days Bob. I'm crapping myself.” I say honestly.

“Well that’s good, it shows that you care enough not to mess it up.” He laughs.

“Well I’m not counting my chickens yet. This is me we’re talking about. I have this amazing ability to fuck things up.” I laugh. “Pardon the language.”

“That’s true.” Bob agrees.

∞∞∞

It’s finally here: opening day! I handed out flyers with a ten percent off coupon attached, I have balloons for the kids, and I put up a poster for a part time salesperson.

I put on my brand new apron with Tiers of Joy stitched across it. I look in the mirror and smile. I have my hair up in a messy styled bun.

“You’ve got this Esme.” I reassure myself.

I take a deep breath and walk downstairs. I check that everything is in it’s place, all of the price tags are correct, and the till is working correctly. I look at the clock, five minutes to go.

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