Page 49 of Love in the Air at The Cornish Bakery

Chapter Twenty Four

Pushing the bakerydoor open, she stepped inside before closing it firmly behind her.

‘Nina, here, catch.’ Teresa threw her a tea towel.

‘Thanks.’ Stamping her trainers against the cork matting by the door, Nina rubbed her hair and face dry with the tea towel before looking around. The bakery was empty, as was the coffee and cake area. Brooke and Diane were leaning against the counter, chatting.

‘I’ve got hold of them.’ Elsie came rushing through from the kitchen with her mobile in her hand. ‘Oh, Nina, look at you, love. Get yourself by a radiator and get yourself warm.’

‘Are they okay?’ Teresa came around from behind the coffee and cake counter.

‘Yes, they are, love. Wendy and Molly have finished at their venue, so I’ve told Wendy to drop Molly off at home after picking Hudson up from the childminders. Teresa, you need to get going too in case the after-school clubs are closed.’

‘What’s happened?’ Nina wiped the tea towel over her face and neck.

‘There’s a storm heading inland, love.’ Elsie sat down at one of the tables. ‘I’m the first one to admit I get a bit paranoid about storms coming since my Ian got caught up in one, but it’s always best to be safe than sorry.’

‘It might clear up in a bit. I’ve not had a call from the school so I can hang around for a bit.’ Teresa checked her mobile.

‘No, you get off, love. If it clears up, the four of us can manage. I don’t want you driving along those country roads in the storm to collect Pippa, Toby, and Rueben from their clubs. Brooke and Diane have only got to run up the hill to get home.’ Standing up, Elsie pulled Teresa’s coat from the coat stand and held it open for her.

‘Okay, if you’re sure?’ Shrugging into her coat, Teresa grabbed her bag from behind the counter.

‘I am. Now off you get and let me know when you get home.’

‘Will do.’

‘Good, good.’ Elsie turned to the rest of them. ‘Right, well, I suppose we might as well have a coffee while we wait and see if the storm passes us by.’

‘I’ll get them.’ Diane made her way towards the coffee machine.

Slipping out of her coat, Nina hung it over the back of a chair to dry and joined Elsie and Brooke at the table. Despite towel-drying her hair, rainwater still dripped down the back of her neck.

‘Here we go. Four coffees.’ Just as Diane placed the last mug on the table, a flash of lightning illuminated the bakery, shortly followed by the loud rumble of thunder.

‘I think that’s our cue to close. We won’t be having any more...’ The overhead lights flickered before dying altogether, casting a strange, eery grey hue across the bakery. Placing her palms against the tabletop, Elsie stood up. ‘Brooke, Diane, get your bits and bobs and I’ll run you home.’

‘We’re only up the hill. We can walk.’ Brooke stood up.

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