Page 47 of Love in the Air at The Cornish Bakery

Chapter Twenty Three

‘You’re actually staying?’ Teresa grinned as she passed around the coffee mugs.

‘Yes. I am. For the time being anyway. I’m going to stay for a bit and see how things turn out.’ Nina took a sip of her coffee, glad of the caffeine after a busy lunchtime serving.

‘I’ve already told you that’s what everyone says.’ Diane shrugged. ‘We’ve encouraged yet another volunteer to stay on in the bay with our kindness, humour and mesmerising beauty.’ Swishing her hair over her shoulder, Diane laughed before holding her hand up to high-five Teresa.

‘We’re quite a team.’ High-fiving Diane, Teresa shook her head. ‘On a serious note, I’m really glad to hear you’re staying. It’s been great having you around.’

‘Thank you.’ Looking down into her mug, Nina blushed. ‘I spoke to Penny earlier too, just before we opened, and she’s happy to give me a job.’

‘Congratulations! That’s fantastic news.’ Brooke grinned.

‘That’s definitely a reason to celebrate! Why don’t we go to the pub this evening and have a proper celebration?’ Diane grinned.

‘I’d be up for that.’ Brooke nodded.

‘Me too. Gavin went out last night, so he owes me a night off. He can look after the kids tonight.’ Standing up, Teresa began piling the empty mugs onto the tray.

‘Okay. That sounds nice.’ Nina smiled. She hadn’t expected everyone to be as excited as she was about her move to the bay, but everyone she’d told had seemed really pleased. She’d told Elsie when she’d got back after rollerskating yesterday and she’d made her call Ian straight away to tell him. Both of them seemed happy for her and happy to have her sticking around. Standing up, she made her way back behind the counter.

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‘SOME OF THE BAKERYlot are coming here to the pub to celebrate with me later. Will you be about?’ Nina squeezed the tea bag against the side of Rowan’s mug before doing the same to hers.

Rowan popped his head around the door into the small kitchen in the flat above the pub. ‘I’m working tonight, so I’ll be about, but I can’t promise I’ll be able to come and have a drink with you.’

‘That’s okay. I just thought I’d mention it.’ Nina frowned. Where was the sugar kept in this place? She opened the cupboard above the kettle. Nothing. Pulling the next one open, a bag of pasta tumbled out, sending pasta shells spilling across the work surface.

‘Sugar is in the cupboard under the kettle.’ Rowan’s voice filtered through from the living room where he was sorting his laundry.

‘Thanks.’ She rolled her eyes. Who kept the sugar under the kettle? After stirring a spoonful of sugar in her mug, she replaced the sugar and began picking up pasta shells from the work surface. Reaching to the corner, the sleeve of her jumper got caught on a mound of letters. Shaking her arm, the letters scattered across the work surface. Great. It was obviously going to be one of those days when a simple task, such as making tea, took twice as long as it should have done.

‘Sorry, I’m almost done.’ Rowan’s voice drifted through to the kitchen.

‘Uh-huh. No worries.’ What was this? Catching a glimpse of the main body of one of the letter, she frowned. Discarding the handful of pasta shells by the kettle, she picked up the letter. Rubbing her eyes, she looked at it again. Why hadn’t Rowan said anything?

‘There we are. All done.’ Walking back into the kitchen, Rowan froze. ‘What are you doing?’

‘I... uh... the packet of pasta fell out of the cupboard when I was looking for sugar.’ She indicated the pasta shells still scattered across the work surface. ‘When were you going to tell me you’ve been offered a journaling job with a worldwide travel agency?’

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