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Stepping into the bakery, she paused. She must have been longer in the shower than she’d thought. The bakery door was already open, and a small queue had formed. She looked around. Graham was busy serving, seemingly oblivious to her arriving behind the counter. Taking her apron from the hooks, she slipped it over her hand and stepped forward, clearing her throat before speaking. ‘Morning, what can I get you today?’
‘Four iced buns, please.’
Layla tried to focus on the man in front of her and nodded before picking up a paper bag. She could feel Graham’s eyes on her, could almost feel the warmth radiating from his skin as he reached for the breadbasket by her side. She blinked and filled the bag with iced buns.
‘I think you’ve put five in there, miss.’ The man nodded toward the bag. ‘I only need four.’
‘Oh, sorry.’ Blinking, she removed one and placed the bag on the counter. ‘Three pounds please.’
‘Thanks. Have a good day.’ Placing the money in her hand, the man grinned before leaving.
‘Have a good day,’ she whispered to his retreating figure. She hoped he did. At least one of them would then. Turning, her heart sank as she realised the queue had subsided. Instead, she kept her eyes facing forward, trying desperately not to look across at Graham as she listened to him saying goodbye to his customer. The flurry of activity was followed by an awkward silence which filled the air, drawing out the oxygen.
‘Layla,’ His voice cracked. ‘About last night...’
She shook her head; her eyes fixed on the poster of a happy couple on the wall above the wedding counter opposite. ‘Don’t mention it. I understand.’
‘Thanks.’ His voice was followed by footsteps as he busied himself with wiping down the counter, something she’d noticed he did to avoid conversation.
The door burst open, and Diane rushed through holding a huge dress bag crumpled in her arms and tears streaming down her face. ‘Elsie, where’s Elsie?’
Shaking herself from her thoughts, Layla stepped back as she watched Graham race around the counter.
‘What’s happened? Are you okay? Is Harry all right? Is anyone hurt?’ Stopping in front of her, Graham held his hands out.
‘No, no. Everyone’s fine, but I need Elsie.’ Diane looked at Graham and wiped the tears streaking down her face.
‘Diane?’ The kitchen door swung closed behind her as Elsie hurried through, wiping her floury hands on her apron as she did so. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Oh Elsie, I’ve messed up. Completely messed up.’ Diane sunk into a chair, the dress bag sliding from her arms to the floor. ‘I was trying my dress on, went to take a picture in the mirror and knocked over the mug of cold hot chocolate from last night.’
Bringing her hands to her cheeks, Elise looked towards the dress bag heaped on the floor at Diane’s feet. ‘It’s on your dress?’
Diane nodded sombrely. ‘I tried to get it out but...’
‘It’s made it worse?’ Elsie nodded, a flicker of panic clouding her face before she quickly hid her true emotions again. ‘Let’s go on through to the kitchen and assess it, shall we? Wendy is decorating your cake at the moment so she might be able to come up with an idea too.’
Standing up, Diane held out her arms as Graham picked up the dress bag and passed it to her. ‘Thanks.’
Layla walked back behind the counter. With two days to go, if the dress truly was ruined, what would Diane do?
‘Let’s hope they manage to get it cleaned up.’ Graham paused as he walked past her.
Layla nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘I...’ Graham stopped short as Molly walked through from the office.
‘Was that Diane’s voice I just heard? Has something happened?’ Molly indicated the kitchen door.
‘A dress disaster, I’m afraid.’ Graham grimaced.
‘Oh...’ Widening her eyes, Molly disappeared through to the kitchen.
Turning to her again, Graham opened his mouth to speak, this time interrupted by the tinkle of the bell above the door as a group of customers arrived.
Layla frowned and turned to face the new customer in front of her. What had Graham been about to say?
Chapter Twenty Two
