Page 5 of Spring Dreams at the Cornish Bakery

She’d done it. Lynsey rolled her shoulders back as she watched the small group of people sitting around a table in the coffee and cake area. With books lying next to coffee cups and half-finished plates of cakes, they must be meeting for a book club. Maybe she’d be able to join one day, depending on what job she found and whether she was free at this time of the day. Even if she wasn’t, there might be one which ran at the weekend, or else there might be a town close by which had a book club who met at the weekend.

Yes, that would be a good way to get to know people. Lynsey turned her attention to the empty trays beneath the counter and began sliding them out and stacking them together.

‘Bye.’ Brooke waved to her customer before turning to Lynsey and grinning. ‘And breathe! Now you’ve experienced your first mad morning rush. What do you think?’

‘I’ve really enjoyed it.’ Lynsey placed the last empty tray on the stack. ‘I didn’t think it would be that busy but, yes, I enjoyed it. Everyone I served seemed really nice. I even had a few people introduce themselves and welcome me to the bay.’

‘Aw, our customers are definitely the best!’

‘Yes, they all...’ Lynsey let her voice trail off as a very pregnant woman waddled into the bakery before shrugging out of her coat and laying it over the counter.

‘Diane! Great to see you! We’ve missed you here.’ Rushing around to the other side of the counter, Brooke drew Diane in for a hug.

‘Glad to hear it! I’ve missed you guys, too.’ Diane picked up her coat again and hung it over her arm.

‘What do you want? Iced buns? I know that’s what you were craving last week.’ Walking back behind the counter, Brooke began filling a bag with iced buns.

‘No, no iced buns, thanks. If I eat another in six months’ time, it’ll be too soon.’ Diane laughed.

‘What then?’

‘Nothing. I’ve come to help you out.’ Making her way behind the counter, Diane hung her coat up before pulling an apron over her head.

‘But you’re on maternity leave.’ Brooke frowned.

‘I know, but I can’t do it. I’ve been sitting on the sofa in front of the TV for the past two weeks. Two weeks! I can’t take it anymore.’ Diane slumped her shoulders. ‘I need to work. I need to see something other than the four walls of my living room. I need to socialise, to actually speak to people who will answer me rather than just shout at people on the TV screen.’

Brooke held her hands up, palms forward. ‘Hey, it’s okay with me, but I have a feeling Elsie will have something to say about it.’

Diane glanced towards the kitchen door as it opened and Elsie emerged carrying two trays loaded with freshly baked pastries. Looking back towards Lynsey and Brooke, she made a small effort to duck behind the counter before realising it was just too much effort and instead she just covered her face with the edge of her apron. ‘I’m not here. Just tell her it’s her imagination.’

Brooke laughed. ‘I’ll try.’

‘You do know I can see you, don’t you, Diane?’ Elsie clattered the trays to the counter and stood, hands on hips, waiting until Diane had uncovered her face again.

A loud groan escaped Diane’s lips.

‘Come here, love.’ Joining them behind the counter, Elsie pulled Diane in for a hug. ‘What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be resting.’

‘Please don’t send me away, Elsie. I’m begging you. I’m just so lonely at home. I hate it.’ Diane buried her face in Elsie’s shoulder. ‘Let me stay.’

‘Oh, love.’ Stepping back, Elsie held her at arm’s length and looked her up and down. ‘I’m not going to chuck you out, now, am I? But I’m not going to let you stand here and work, either. Come on through to the kitchen with me and you can keep me company.’

‘Really? You don’t mind? I can’t cook, though. You remember that?’

Shaking her head, Elsie smiled. ‘You’ve not been away that long, love. I’d need at least a decade or two without seeing you to forget such a thing. No, you’re not going anywhere near the ovens, or the prep for that matter. You’re strictly here to entertain.’

Diane grinned. ‘I don’t know whether to be flattered that you haven’t forgotten me in the two weeks I’ve been off or offended that you think that little of my baking abilities.’

Elsie chuckled. ‘Come on you, let’s get you a nice hot chocolate and somewhere to sit down.’

‘Now you’re talking.’ Slipping her apron back over her head, Diane began following Elsie into the kitchen before pausing and looking back at Lynsey. ‘Lovely to meet you, by the way. Sorry for being rude and barging in here. But I’ve missed this place.’

Smiling, Lynsey shook her head. ‘You weren’t rude at all. Great to meet you as well.’

‘You go through and pop the kettle on, Diane.’ Elsie nodded towards the kitchen door before pulling the door open to the flat above the bakery. ‘Ian!’

A few minutes later, Ian’s voice wafted down the stairs. ‘Coming, love.’

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