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Graham nodded and stepped away before slipping into a chair at the closest table to the counter.
Shaking her head, Layla focused on the couple in front of her again. ‘What can I get you?’
‘We’ve decided to go for the pasties today and we’ll take a sourdough loaf for tomorrow, please.’ The woman pulled her purse from her bag.
‘Good choice. Coming right up.’ As she bagged up the pasties, Layla watched as Wendy and Molly approached the counter to speak to Diane. After she’d finished serving, she turned and tuned into the conversation between Diane, Molly and Wendy.
‘Aw, that would have been amazing. Surely it’s on tomorrow too? Or what about after work? There’ll be some dresses left then, won’t there?’ With the lull in customers, Diane wiped the counter down as she spoke.
‘I wouldn’t like to promise anything, people go crazy over these sales, but it’s worth us checking out.’ Wendy chewed at her nail.
‘What’s this?’ Layla smiled.
‘There’s a pop-up wedding dress sale over in the community hall at Trestow.’ Wendy sighed. ‘Sorry, Diane, I shouldn’t have said anything today, but I didn’t want you to hear about it after and then wonder why I hadn’t mentioned it. We can go after work or maybe when Elsie gets back.’
‘Why don’t you go now?’ Layla glanced towards the door. ‘You said there’d be a lull before the lunchtime rush. I used to work the bar on the cruise ship, sometimes alone if someone had called in sick. I’m used to being rushed off my feet.’
‘Nope, no way. That wouldn’t be fair to you. Not on your first full day here.’ Diane shook her head firmly.
‘Sorry, I’d best get going to this client meeting or I’m going to be late.’ Molly picked up the overstuffed notebook resting on the counter. ‘Good luck, whatever you decide. I hope you find one.’
‘Thanks. See you.’ Diane waved as Molly disappeared out onto the cobbled street.
‘If you’re sure you don’t mind, Layla, that could work.’ Wendy turned. ‘I’ll go and check if Teresa can jump on if needed.’
‘No...’ Diane watched as Wendy walked across to the coffee and cake counter before turning to Layla. ‘Thank you for offering, but I’m happy to pop to the sale later. If the dress of my dreams is still there, then great. If not, then it clearly wasn’t meant to be.’
Layla moved the bread basket on the top of the counter out of the way as Diane wiped beneath it. She’d only been having the conversation with Elsie about her not wanting Diane to miss out on the fun part of wedding planning a few hours ago. It would be a shame if she had to miss out on the dress sale. ‘I’m honestly happy to cover you. I know it’s not ideal being as I’ve not been here long, but I can do this. You should have seen the bar each night, customers cramming around and placing their orders from every direction.’
Returning from her chat with Teresa, Wendy gave Diane the thumbs up. ‘Teresa is happy for us to go and if we leave now, we’ll be back in time for most of the rush, anyway.’
‘Ahh, I feel so selfish just leaving. Especially with Brooke off because of the accident.’ Diane looked from Wendy to Layla and back again. ‘It’s just a wedding dress. I can grab one whenever.’
Placing her handbag on the counter, Wendy looked at Diane. ‘Diane, it’s not just a wedding dress. You’re going to remember this day forever. You’ll have photos hanging on your walls or standing on your fireplace. When you have kids, they’ll be looking at them. This is a big deal.’
‘Go on, sis-to-be. I’ll chip in.’ Graham stood up and made his way towards the counter.
Layla bit down on her bottom lip to stop herself from refusing his help. She could do that once Diane and Wendy had left. She wasn’t about to be the reason Diane refused to go.
‘Wow, okay. Well, in that case, I don’t need to be told twice.’ After slipping her apron over her head, she threw it across the counter towards him.
Catching it deftly, Graham grinned and then held the door open as Wendy and Diane stepped outside. ‘Looks as though we’re sharing a shift together.’
‘Umm, I’ll actually be fine on my own, thanks.’ Layla held her hand out for the apron. ‘It was sweet of you to pretend you’d help to get Diane to agree to go, though.’
‘Pretend? Oh, you really don’t know me, do you?’ Graham grinned as he pulled the apron over his head and tied the strings swiftly behind his back. ‘I made a promise and I’m not one to let people down.’
Great. Layla tried to keep her voice light and casual. ‘You won’t be letting them down. I can easily cope here. I’m used to being busy.’
‘Ah, yes, on the cruise ship. That’s right.’ Graham nodded as he walked behind the counter.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Nothing. I was just saying you worked on a cruise ship. What happened? You decided to swap the hot Caribbean sunshine for the glorious, blighty weather?’ He nodded towards the rain cascading down the window and raised his eyebrows.
‘We mainly sailed the med, actually.’ She crossed her arms and looked longingly at the door. Where had all the customers gone? Put off by the thought of him serving them, perhaps? ‘And no, it wasn’t a choice as such.’
‘You were fired? Let me guess, did you have an illicit affair with the captain or something?’ Graham’s voice was deadpan, a little twitching of his lips the only sign to indicate he was joking.
