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Picking up her mobile, she scrolled through to her messages. Eli hadn’t replied to the one she’d sent last night confirming she’d arrived in Cornwall safely. She frowned. Why hadn’t he replied? He’d been the one who had asked, no, insisted she kept him updated whilst on her trip. Why wouldn’t he have messaged back?
Layla sighed and looked back out of the window. Elsie’s advert certainly hadn’t exaggerated, the view really was second to none and facing right onto the beach, there was nothing to disturb the eye either. She couldn’t wait to sit up here after work, when it was light, and take the full views in.
A clatter from downstairs shook her from her thoughts and she shut the window again before heading out of the room. Elsie had told her she wasn’t expected to get up to help with the early morning baking but after three months of late nights and lazy mornings, or more truthfully whole days, she was glad to finally have a reason to get up again, a reason to not sit around feeling sorry for herself again.
As she walked down the stairs, she pocketed her mobile and ran her finger across the boldly coloured wallpaper. Large parrots peeked out from behind even bigger dark green palm leaves. Diane and Brooke had shown her the ropes yesterday and, after a few mishaps with getting prices wrong or in one case giving away an entire dozen rolls, she felt confident knowing what she was doing.
Plus, it had been fun getting to know the local residents, everyone seemed to have a story to go with their purchase and had been more than willing to share – Mrs Elks had come in to buy rolls for some soup she’d made for a catch up with her neighbours, Hannah had bought five purple cupcakes for her daughter, Evie, who was having friends over after school and Mr Euston had bought himself custard tarts for an evening of bridge with friends.
Yes, it was much like working on the cruise ship in terms of having customers seemingly wanting to tell her their life story. Okay, not their life story, just their plans for the day. On the cruise ship, though, there they told her their life story. As she mixed cocktails, poured spirits and served pints, at least one passenger would have inevitably made a bar stool their home for the evening. Of course she loved it. Eli hated it. He always complained that he should be able to get on with his job without entertaining passengers, but for Layla, it was the best part of the job. Better even than watching the amazing acts on stage. Listening to people’s life stories, learning what made them tick, piecing together why they’d become the person they were today – that was her favourite part.
Luckily for Eli and her, most of the time the ‘talkers’, as Eli had nicknamed them, gravitated towards her instead of him. She just had one of those faces. Whatever that meant, but that’s what her mum always said. She looked trustworthy, friendly, maybe.
Layla walked through the bakery before opening the door to the kitchen. ‘Morning.’
‘Morning, Layla, love. You’ve decided to join us then?’ Elsie looked up from the pastry she was rolling.
‘Yep. I woke up early anyway, so thought I might as well give you a hand.’ She took an apron from the hooks by the door and slipped it over her head.
‘Hi.’ Popping up from behind the ovens, Teresa grinned and carried a tray of cupcakes towards the table.
‘Hi.’ Layla waved at Teresa as she brought the cupcakes to the cooling rack before turning back to Elsie. ‘What can I do to help?’
‘What would you feel comfortable doing, love? You could make a start on some sausage rolls or ice some cupcakes?’
‘I don’t mind. I’ve never made sausage rolls before, but I can ice. I used to help out with my aunt’s cake business when I was younger.’
‘Great. In that case, why don’t you grab yourself a coffee and something for breakfast whilst those cupcakes cool and then you can make a start on the icing?’ Elsie nodded towards a tray of croissants and pastries.
‘Ooh, these look good.’ Layla took a croissant, still warm to the touch, and made her way over to the kettle. ‘Would anyone else like a coffee?’
‘What I wouldn’t do for a coffee?’ Teresa carried over another tray of cupcakes. ‘My daughter Pippa had me up most of the night.’
‘Oh no, how come? Is she coming down with something?’ Elsie frowned.
‘No, nothing like that, thankfully. She just has PE today, and she’s decided she hates it.’ Teresa rolled her eyes.
‘I thought she always used to enjoy PE days?’ Elsie shook her head as she began cutting the pastry.
‘Yep. She did last week but this week...’ Teresa shook her head. ‘You know what she’s like. One moment she loves something, the next she hates it. PE days will be her favourite days of the week again by tomorrow.’
‘That’s very true.’ Elsie chuckled. ‘Such a little character.’
‘Ha, that’s saying something!’ Teresa glanced at the clock on the back wall. ‘Talking of which I’d better get a move on and rescue Gavin from the school run!’
‘Okay, love. Thanks for all your help. See you in a bit.’ Elsie smiled as Teresa swapped her apron for her coat.
‘See you.’ Having finished pouring the coffee, Layla carried hers and Elsie’s mug to the table.
‘Thanks, love. I could do with this today.’
‘Is everything okay?’ Sitting on a stool opposite Elsie, Layla took a long sip from her mug, the coffee strong and bitter – just the way she liked it.
‘Yes, yes. I just didn’t get much sleep last night. I kept tossing and turning.’ Elsie wiped her hands down her apron before picking up her mug. ‘I think I’m just feeling a tad overwhelmed after Diane dropped her news yesterday.’
‘Oh, about organising her wedding for the end of the month?’ Layla frowned.
‘That’s it. I know I shouldn’t. Wendy and Molly will have everything under control.’ She smiled. ‘Gosh, they’d be able to plan a wedding in a week if someone so wanted. My wedding to Ian was quick, but Diane and Harry... well, they’re young. They should be enjoying planning their big day and have the wedding they want rather than having to choose a venue, dress, decorations, everything at such short notice.’
