Chapter Two

‘ T hank you.' Debbie dropped the coins into the till and waved at her customer lifting her foot and wriggling her toes inside her trainers.

‘You okay?' Diane, who was serving behind the counter with her along with Brooke, sidled up to her and leaned her back against the counter.

‘Yep, I think so. I just don't think I've spent this much time on my feet in one go in a long time.' Debbie glanced towards the door, thankful the long queue of customers had seemingly died down for the moment.

‘Haha, it takes some time to get used to, that's for sure.' Brooke picked up a cloth and began wiping the counter. ‘Have you worked in a place like this before?'

‘Umm, no. I'm a software developer.' Debbie looked down at her hands, automatically touching her naked ring finger. ‘Or at least I was up until six months ago. Since then, I've been temping in admin jobs.'

‘Ah, so definitely not on your feet all day then.' Diane laughed. ‘You'll soon get used to it.'

‘Yes, I'm sure I will. Or at least I hope I will.' Debbie glanced towards the door, although it stood open, no customers entered. Instead a handful of people meandered across the cobbles, a couple with a dog walking at their heels, a woman pushing a pram and a group of suited business people holding takeaway coffee cups from the café next door.

‘Elsie mentioned that you've been to the bay before?' Diane picked up a bread roll from one of the baskets at the end of the counter and began pulling the dough apart before eating it. Holding the picked about roll up, she scrunched her nose up. ‘Sorry, I've got such a craving for freshly baked bread at the moment. Poor Elsie has even been baking a small batch for me just before closing, so I can take them home.'

Scrubbing at a small, stubborn patch of jam on the counter, Brooke laughed. ‘You had cravings even before you were pregnant. I remember a few months ago you couldn't get enough of the chocolate-covered shortbreads.'

‘Yes, well, at least I have an excuse now.' Grinning, Diane patted her belly. ‘And, boy, do I plan to make the most of it.'

‘Congratulations on your pregnancy.' Debbie nodded towards her.

‘Thanks.' Diane grinned before pointing at her with a piece of roll. ‘So, you used to visit the bay? How long ago?'

‘Oh, I've not been for years. Sixteen years or something like that. I used to come to visit my nan.'

‘She lived here?'

Debbie nodded. Did she say that her nan still lived in the bay? Would they think it odd that she was staying at the bakery and not at her nan's? Did she mention that she'd not gone to visit her yet? Elsie obviously now knew but she wasn't sure if she wanted everyone else to. ‘Umm, yes, she still does actually, but I've not had time to visit yet.'

‘Aw, I bet she's over the moon you're in the bay for the next few weeks.' Diane popped the last of the bread roll into her mouth.

‘Yes.' Hopefully, she will be anyway. She'd always been close to her nan, but would she forgive Debbie for not visiting? For not staying in touch? But then... She shook herself from her thoughts and stepped forward as a new customer reached the counter. ‘Morning, what can I get you today?'