Page 27 of Only Just Begun

“You think we should open it up more?” Mandy leaned on the counter as he attempted to make scones. “Don’t play with them too much.”

He raised his hands in the air.

“I think you could get in more tables that way, and maybe a breakfast bar scenario. People like to sit up there and read the paper.”

Mandy slid the scones on a tray ready to go in the oven.

“I’ll come back before I leave and show you what I mean, if you like?”

“Really? That’s very kind of you.”

He was leaning on the bench watching her now.

“You lived here all your life?”

“No. I came when I was nine.”

“Baking in your genes too? Mine came from my mom.”

Mandy shook her head, suddenly nervous for no reason at all except she hated personal questions. Often she had to answer with a lie.

“It’s a cool place.”

She nodded.

“You all good, sweet cheeks? You look a bit pale.”

“I’m okay. Thanks.”

“No worries. You mind if I come back tomorrow? I’ll teach you the secret to making pastry, and we’ll go another round on those scones.”

“Of course.”

“I’m an earlier riser, and those losers would sleep all day if they were allowed…, which they are here, as their women are back in Howling.”

He moved forward, and Mandy stepped out of his way.

“It’s a pleasure to work with you, Mandy.” His smile was gentle.

“Oh yes. And you too, Buster. I—ah…, I look forward to tomorrow.” She shook his hand and then he left, loping out the door like he’d loped in.

She stood there, feeling her hands start to tingle and her chest getting tighter and wondered why now, after months without one, she was having a panic attack?

“Mandy, dear, are those muffins ready, we only have…. Oh no, are you having an episode?”

She felt Aunt Marla take her hands.

“It’s only temporary, Mandy. You’re safe here with us, you know that, love.”

Mandy focused on her aunt’s voice as she talked about a whole lot of nothing.

“There, there, Mandy. Nice deep breaths for me now.”

Her aunt talked, she listened, and slowly she grew calmer until she felt her body return to normal.

“I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. What I want to know is why you experienced a panic attack now? You haven’t had one for ages.”

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