Page 39 of Love in the Air at The Cornish Bakery

‘I’ll have one as well, please, Nina. Judging by the rate Freddie here is getting through this one, they must taste good.’ Edna chuckled.

‘They must do.’ Nina passed the bag across to Edna.

‘Thank you.’ Pulling a note from her purse, Edna pressed it into Nina’s hand. ‘Get yourself one too, dear.’

Looking at the note, Nina watched as Edna and Freddie made their way out of the bakery. She missed her gran. She’d know what to do, how to act, what to say.

‘Aw, that was really sweet of her.’ Brooke pulled out an empty tray from behind the glass of the counter.

‘Yes, it was.’ Nina slipped the note into the till.

‘Make sure you get yourself something. That’s what she wanted.’

‘I will. Just in a while.’

‘Here, I’ll take the tray through. I need to grab a glass of water. I’m gasping. Does anyone else want one?’ Taking the tray off Brooke, Diane headed towards the kitchen door.

‘Yes, please, I’ll have one.’ Brooke called after her before leaning against the back counter. ‘Thank goodness for a lull.’

‘Yes.’ Nina looked outside and watched the rain hammering against the window. ‘That’ll be why.’

‘Is it wrong of me to be secretly pleased it’s raining so I get to have a rest?’ Brooke laughed as slipped out of her shoes.

‘No, I don’t think so.’ Nina shrugged. ‘I was thinking the same thing.’

‘Good, I’m glad I’m not the only one.’

The kitchen door swung open and shut again as Diane re-joined them behind the counter.

‘You didn’t get my water?’ Pulling her shoes back on, Brooke looked at Diane. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll go and grab one.’

‘No, don’t. Just wait a while.’ Rubbing her forehead, Diane frowned.

‘Why? What’s happened?’ Frowning, Brooke slipped her shoes back off.

‘I’m not sure. Ian’s in there and he looks as though he’s been crying.’

‘Ian?’ Brooke glanced towards the kitchen door. ‘Should I see if he’s okay?’

‘I don’t know. I’d wait a few minutes. I’m not sure what’s going on.’ Leaning against the counter, Diane crossed her arms. ‘All I know is, I’ve never walked into that kitchen before and been in a hurry to come back out again.’

Looking at the floor, Nina tried to slow her breathing. Ian must be telling Elsie about her. That was it. She’d have to leave. What about Rowan? She shook her head. She shouldn’t be thinking like this. Ian had just had a massive shock, and she was worrying about herself. It wasn’t right.

She jerked her head up as the kitchen door swung open again, and Elsie walked out.

‘Brooke, love. Do you mind if you pop back to the kitchen for a few minutes, please?’ Elsie glanced at Diane. ‘You two will be okay for a while, won’t you?’

‘We will.’ Diane frowned.

‘Good, good.’ Turning back to the kitchen door, Elsie paused and walked back to the counter. Placing her hand on Nina’s forearm, she spoke softly. ‘Everything will turn out all right.’

Nodding slowly, Nina watched as Elsie retreated back into the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind her. She knew precisely what Brooke was about to find out. How would she feel? Would she be angry with Nina? Of course she would. Why wouldn’t she? Nina had befriended her, worked alongside her, they’d even been bowling together and at no point had Nina hinted to her who she was. Not once had Nina mentioned the fact that they were related.

And Elsie, what must she think of her? She stared at the closed door. She couldn’t imagine what was being said in there. She didn’t know Elsie, Ian, or Brooke well enough to second-guess how they were all reacting to the news.

‘Nina, do you know what’s going on?’ Diane looked at her. ‘I haven’t seen Ian, or Elsie for that matter, look so upset and flustered. What did Elsie say to you? Did she tell you what was going on?’

Diane too. And Teresa, Molly and Wendy. Everyone she’d met at the BBQ on her first night in the bay, and then again at the pub quiz. Rowan. She’d kept it all from him and he’d asked, he’d asked what was going on, what had brought her here to Penworth Bay. Looking around the bakery, she suddenly felt trapped, watched. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t wait out here, wondering what was unfolding on the other side of that door. She had to get away. She had to get some air. She pointed to the bakery door. ‘I have to go.’

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