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‘Hey, Layla. long-time no speak. Did you get my message?’ Eli’s familiar husky tones wafted down the phone line.
‘I did. What do you mean you’re coming to Cornwall and what am I right about?’ She cut straight to the questions she wanted to ask.
‘Just that. I’ve been speaking to Helen, and she was telling me how much you think of me and I realised I’ve been a complete idiot not to take you up on the offer of a date.’ Eli’s voice was confident.
‘What do you mean?’
‘She told me you fancied me and I’m at a bit of a loose end and thought, heck, why didn’t I see it?’
‘Huh? You did. I asked you out, and you declined. End of. Besides, that was ages ago.’
‘It was but better late than never, hey?’
Layla closed her eyes. Was he really thinking that he could waltz back into her life after not being the slightest bit interested in how she’d been for the last few months? ‘I don’t feel that way about you anymore, Eli. I’m seeing someone now and I’m happy.’
Silence.
‘Eli? Eli, are you there?’ No answer. His signal must have dropped out. Had he heard her tell him not to come? She tapped her mobile against her forehead before going back inside.
‘Two cookies and one cupcake, right?’ Graham smiled as he spoke to the customer in front of him.
‘Yes, please.’ The woman nodded.
As Layla slipped behind the counter, Graham glanced at her. ‘All sorted?’
‘Hopefully.’ She pocketed her mobile again before serving the next customer in line.
Chapter Eighteen
‘Morning!’ Elsie looked up from the pastry she was rolling. ‘You really didn’t have to get up this early to help with the baking, love. Especially after you and Graham held down the fort with Teresa yesterday.’
‘I’m happy helping.’ Layla tied her apron behind her back. She didn’t mention she’d been up for over an hour waiting to hear Elsie come down the stairs. She’d been tossing and turning all night, reliving the conversation she’d had with Eli over and over in her mind and just hoping that his phone had cut off after she’d told him she wasn’t interested in him. She loved it down here and she could feel herself falling for Graham, falling hard. She didn’t want anything or anyone to jeopardise that.
‘In that case, thank you, and did you want to make a start on the cupcakes, love.’
‘Yes, of course.’ Walking across to the sink, she checked her mobile before washing her hands. Still nothing. He hadn’t got in contact at all since she’d rung him. Surely if he hadn’t heard her tell him not to come, he would have rung back when he’d got some signal again?
‘I was just telling Elsie that my kids are over the moon to be involved in the wedding. Especially Pippa. She’s not slept properly since Diane asked her to be a flower girl.’ Teresa grinned as she rolled out some cookie dough.
‘Aw, that’s really sweet.’ Layla pulled a mixing bowl from the cupboard.
‘It is until she gets overtired and becomes a little whirlwind.’ Teresa laughed. ‘It’s times like this I’m all the more glad to come in early and leave Gavin to get her up in the mornings.’
Layla smiled.
‘Little Pippa’s a whirlwind at the best of times, bless her.’ Elsie chuckled. ‘Still, it’ll be a lovely experience for her. And Toby and Ruben.’
‘Yes, it will.’ Teresa nodded and glanced at the clock. ‘I’m half-expecting Gavin to ring and tell me he can’t get her out of bed for school though.’
‘If you need to go, we’ll cope, love.’ Elsie smiled.
‘Thanks, I’ve got a bit of time yet until then.’ Teresa turned back to the cookie dough.
‘How are things going with you and Graham, love?’ Elsie glanced at Layla. ‘He’s a nice lad, isn’t he?’
‘Yes. he is.’ Layla grinned.
‘Diane was saying that he’s talking about moving down here?’
