Page 39 of Take My Breath Away
“You can set up an at home business, backed up by a killer website, which you’d need in any case. Obviously there are hoops to jump through with the council as you’d be making products to sell to the public from your home.” Jack’s brow’s wrinkling hard, as he thinks it through on the hoof. “You already know you’d need a large kitchen, with loads of storage and separate bakery business facilities to your own private domestic kitchen. But if it’s bespoke bakery that you’re really interested in pursuing, being home based automatically increases your options.”
Perry mashes down on his lip as he thinks hard about what Jack’s said. His excitement is almost palpable.
“It could be the answer,” Rory adds. “You could always expand into shop premises later, if things go well. Just don’t start out that way.”
“I hadn’t thought of it from that angle before.” Perry’s voice is quiet; it’s almost as though he’s talking to himself. “It’s certainly worth considering. More than worth it.”
“It is,” Rory says. “We know quite a few bakers who run home based businesses, and it’s working well for them all. Why not for you? Especially with the experience you’ve already had, and you’ve shown you can already attract prestigious clients. If I were in your shoes, I’d consider getting somewhere that is, first and foremost, a home, especially as you’re looking to relocate, and extend the kitchen if needs be. And, you’d stand a better chance of not ending up as a failed business statistic which sounds harsh, I know, but not something you can afford to ignore.”
“I think there’s a lot of sense in what Rory’s just said.” Jack places his hand over Rory’s and gives it a squeeze as he smiles at his husband. “Brighton’s a good choice, but it’s expensive. It’s not called London-on-Sea for nothing.”
“That’s what I said,” I chip in.
“How desperate are you to live down there?” Rory asks.
Perry doesn’t answer for a second or two, and I swear my heart stops beating.
“Desperate?” he says slowly, “no I wouldn’t go so far as to say desperate, but it’s certainly somewhere I like and the idea of living and working by the sea holds a hell of a lot of appeal. I love London’s vibrancy but I think now’s the time to make a change before I sort of get too settled again.”
He picks up his drink and takes a sip. He’s not looking at me, not even glancing my way. His focus is on the road ahead and the future that’s opening up for him, a future I know I have no part in. I turn my glass around in my hand; the gin’s warm and the tonic’s gone flat.
“So what’s the dream ticket?” Rory asks. “Somewhere vibrant with the right client base for your offer. Somewhere bursting with affluent people who are willing to spend their disposable income. Somewhere with a community that supports independent artisanal craftsmen and women. Somewhere that’s a home first of all, but which has the right kitchen in place or potential to rejig, or expand.” Rory is counting off the points one by one on his fingers.
“That’s it, in a nutshell.”
“I know the coast, and Brighton in particular, is the ideal, but is setting up and staying in London a complete and utter no-no? Because this is where the really big market is,” Jack says.
“No, but to be honest I’m not sure I could afford it in London, not somewhere with the space I’d need, even with help from my parents. In fact I know I can’t. But this is as much about a change in lifestyle as it is a change of profession.”
“So a lot to think about,” Rory says. “In my view, you need to get the location squared off first.” His expression’s serious but his eyes begin to widen at the same time a smile lifts his lips. “But you’re in exactly the right place. You do realise that, don’t you?”
“I don’t understand what you mean?”
But I know what Rory means. I know exactly what he’s saying as he glances at me and his sunny smile widens even further.
“You’re in exactly the right place where you are. Highgate. There’s more money sloshing around in that area than just about anywhere in London. If you operated from there you’d make a mint. James’ kitchen, it’s huge. It would make the perfect location.” Rory’s really laughing now at the joke he thinks he’s made, and Jack’s joining in.
“Ever fancy going into the cake making business, James?”
Chapter Eighteen
PERRY
When Rory and Jack say they need to leave, we swap numbers and they both say I can talk to them any time I want. They’ve given me so much to think about. My head’s full of new ideas and a new way of looking at the whole issue.
“Do you want another drink, or go elsewhere?” I ask James.
The pub’s very quiet and a bit dull, but it’s been the perfect place for the four of us to sit around and talk, or rather for Rory, Jack and I to talk, because I’m suddenly acutely aware that James has said very little. If he has opinions on what’s been discussed tonight, he’s keeping them close to his chest.
“No, to both suggestions. But don’t let me stop you if you want to go on somewhere.”
His voice is clipped, almost brusque, and to be honest I’m a little taken aback.
“There’s nowhere I want to go.” Other than home, with James, but I keep that to myself.
“Then let’s go.” He throws back the last of his drink before he’s on his feet and heading for the door, leaving me to rush after him.
The short walk takes us to the tube station. I want to talk about what Rory and Jack have said, I want James’ view, and I want more than anything his enthusiasm, but he seems preoccupied, distant and kind of annoyed. The fizz of the evening’s discussion turns flat.
