Chapter Three

‘ T hanks so much for helping, Debbie, love. Mornings aren't usually this manic, but we've had a last-minute order in from the pub.' Elsie poured flour into a large mixing bowl in front of her, a fine dusting of white immediately covering the stainless-steel table. ‘And this one needs to be delivered before their usual lunchtime pies.'

‘I've almost got the cake ready, just need to finish icing it.' Squeezing the icing bag in her hand, Teresa watched as a long line of yellow completed the ‘b' in ‘club' on top of the white iced cake.

‘It's for a book club?' Debbie paused in her kneading of the bread dough in front of her and nodded towards Teresa and the cake, reading the iced words - Penworth Bay Book Club .

‘That's right, it's the first anniversary of the local book club. They meet at the pub once a month and I guess this month's meeting will focus more on eating cake and nibbles than it will on book discussion.' Elsie chuckled. ‘If only they did one in the evening, then I'd jump at the chance of going. I do love a good read and a natter.'

‘You can still go.' Teresa picked up a blue icing bag and began decorating the sides of the cake in elaborate blue swirls. ‘We can cover for you. You never take any time off for yourself.'

‘Oh, I do. I'm out most of the afternoon today.' Elsie measured out some sugar.

‘Yes, you're looking after Bonnie for Daisy and Ollie. Like I said, you take no time for yourself. Go.'

‘Maybe I will. Not today, though. Now that would be cheating, wouldn't it? Not having taken part in any book discussion and then just turning up to eat cake.' Elsie chuckled. ‘Maybe next month, though.'

‘Good.' Teresa spun the cake around to show Elsie and Debbie. A large fondant book covered most of the top of the cake, the words ‘ Penworth Bay Book Club' arching above it in bright yellow.

‘Oh, that's lovely.' Debbie smiled.

‘Perfect, love. Thank you for doing that.'

‘That's okay. I rather like getting creative every once in a while. I know it's not a patch on Wendy's work, but it'll do.' Teresa carefully placed the cake in a large white cake box before closing the lid.

‘Don't be daft, it's great.' Elsie poured the sugar.

‘Thanks. What's next?' Teresa picked up a list from the table. ‘Sandwiches? Shall I make a start on those?'

‘Yes please, love. I know we rarely provide sandwiches and the like but what with Gerald and Sharon away and their stand-in looking after the place, I felt as though I couldn't say no. He's short-staffed and Penny from the café next door is on her holidays so they're short-staffed as well or he'd have asked her.' Elsie shrugged.

‘No worries. They won't take long, anyway.' Teresa began slicing a freshly baked loaf.

Placing the dough on the table, Debbie looked across at Elsie. ‘Is this okay?'

Walking across to her, Elsie picked up the dough before placing it back down. ‘It's great, thanks, Debbie.'

‘Phew! I must admit I don't often bake, and I don't think I've baked bread in years. Not since I moved up to Scotland.' She began breaking the dough into small parts to make rolls and picked up one of the lumps of dough. It was cool against her skin as she began forming it into the shape of a ball. She'd made bread the last time she'd visited her nan here in the bay. She'd been staying the week and her cousin had been coming for tea. They'd baked rolls, cookies, and fairy cakes for a picnic they were going to take to the beach that evening. They'd never got that far, of course. She'd helped her nan pack up the old wicker picnic basket, searched through the blanket box to find the traditional checked red and white picnic blanket and had slipped her shoes on when her mum had turned up and her whole world had been tipped upside down.

‘Are you all right, love?' Elsie's voice was filled with concern as she looked at Debbie.

Shaking her head from her thoughts, Debbie nodded. ‘Yes, sorry, I was miles away.'

‘Take a break if you like?'

‘Nope, I'm good, thanks.' The last thing she needed was a break, to be left alone with her thoughts. No, she needed to keep busy.

‘Have you had the chance to visit your nan yet, love?'

‘No, not yet.' She shook her head.

‘You're welcome to take some time for yourself. This break down here is for you as well.' Elsie smiled.

‘Oh no, I'll pop over after closing or something. Thank you, though.'

‘Why don't you take this lot up to the pub when we've finished getting it ready and then you can have a long lunch break?' Elsie placed a tray in front of Debbie. ‘For the rolls, love.'

‘I really don't...'

‘I insist. Besides, you've been up at the crack of dawn helping with all the baking. The least I can do is make sure you take a long lunch.' Elsie returned to her mixture.

‘Thank you.' Debbie forced a smile. She couldn't very well admit to Elsie and Teresa that she didn't think she was ready to visit her nan yet. After sixteen whole years, she wasn't ready. She placed a ball of dough on the tray. From an outsider's perspective, she knew how it looked. She knew people would begin to think ill of her if she continued to stay in the bay and not visit her nan, but it wasn't that easy. Now she was here, in the bay, she wasn't sure if she could.

‘Right, that's the sandwiches made. I'm going to head off and take over from Gavin now.' Teresa pulled her apron over her head. ‘Wish me luck in avoiding Veronica Phillips on the school run.'

‘Oh dear, has Rueben still not found that toy the Phillip's boy lent him?' Elsie frowned.

‘Nope. I've searched high and low too. Even had the sofa cushions off.' Teresa glanced towards Debbie. ‘My son's friend lent him the world's smallest toy car and, of course, Rueben being Rueben lost the thing and so I'm hiding around corners and in bushes from his mum until I can find it again.'

‘I still think you should just be honest, Teresa, love.' Elsie shook her head softly.

‘If you knew Veronica Phillips like I do, then you'd know why I'm not ready to give in and admit what's happened. She's perfect. She doesn't have a hair out of place or a lipstick mark on her teeth when she walks those two perfect kids to school.'

‘Now you're being silly. Your three little'uns are just as perfect.'

Teresa tilted her head to the side. ‘Nah, my three are perfect in a feral sort of way. Her kids don't have a scuff on their shoes or a hole in their trousers. I'll find it.'

‘Well, good luck.'

‘Thanks. I'm going to need it.' Teresa grimaced before pulling the back door open and stepping out into the courtyard. ‘See you later.'

‘Bye, love.'

Elsie looked across at Debbie. ‘Right. Shall we get this lot out there?'