Page 42 of Tricks & Treats at The Cosy Cornish Bakery

Chloe ducked her head. She shrugged. ‘Don’t know. Happens sometimes. Physically tired but can’t switch my brain off. I had a really active day yesterday, as well. Running around after Ziggy, the walk on the beach, the stroll around the scarecrows with you. Then Ginger and I went to the fair.’

‘The one on the green?’ He gave a laugh. ‘That’s been going for years.’

‘Yeah, it was partly nostalgia that made us go. Holds lots of memories for us.’

‘And was it as good as remembered?’

‘Mostly, yes.’ Chloe pulled a face. ‘Although I risked some candy floss. Man, that stuff is sweet.’ She ran her tongue around her mouth. ‘Had to clean my teeth three times when I got home and I still think they’re rotting. Good to spend some time with Ginger, though.’ Chloe thought she could risk pouring the tea now she felt a little calmer. She pushed Nik’s mug over to him.

‘Will you be going to the Scare Fest?’

‘I don’t know what that is.’

‘Ah, it’s only been going the last few years. It won’t have been happening when you were living here. It’s a sort of horror trail around the village. Strictly adults only, the Am Dram group lead it. Lots of jump scares, that sort of thing.’

‘Will you be going?’

He hesitated for a moment. ‘Unfortunately, I’m busy that night. Maybe it’s something else you can do with Ginger.’

‘Yes, maybe. Although it doesn’t sound like my sort of thing. I only walked down here from the cottage and was petrified. Not used to how dark it is round here. In London there were always lights.’

Nik studied his tea, his expression inscrutable. ‘Is Ginger’s guest still around?

‘He is.’

‘And is she still infatuated?’

Chloe blew out a sigh. ‘Oh yes. Far too far gone for me to have any influence.’ Adding milk to her tea, she stirred it thoughtfully. ‘I’m hoping she’s taking it as one of those things, a sort of holiday fling, ships that pass in the night gig.’

He jerked his head in agreement, his lips compressed. ‘It can be one way to deal with things like that. Live in the moment. Take it as,’ he paused considering his words, ‘an opportunity. For pleasure.’

‘What about you?’

Nik looked startled. ‘What do you mean?’

Chloe drank her tea, meeting his gaze over her mug. ‘Why can’t you sleep?’

‘Oh.’ His shoulders relaxed. ‘I see what you mean.’ Looking down, his hair flopping over his face and hiding his expression, he turned his mug round and round. ‘The same as you, I suppose. My brain was too active.’

Chloe watched him. His English was fluent and unaccented but, just occasionally, his words took on a formal, slightly stilted manner. It intrigued her but made him even harder to fathom. He was being perfectly polite, in as much as anyone could be in this strange, intimate situation, but was impossibly reserved. She had no clue as to what was going on behind that composed exterior.

He straightened, blew out a breath and changed the subject. Chloe suspected deliberately so. ‘What are you doing here, in the bakery?’

She gave a short laugh. ‘I’ve been trying to conquer the art of making sourdough bread. I’ve had a couple of attempts at the cottage and they were disasters. Thought I might have more luck with the commercial ovens. I’ve prepped the dough; I just need to bake it.’

‘Ah. Hence the outfit.’ Nik gestured to her white coat and hairnet. He grinned. ‘Very fetching.’

Mortified, Chloe snatched the hairnet off. She’d forgotten she still had it on. Her hair fell to below her shoulders, loose. She shook it out, reaching a hand to the nape of her neck. She so rarely wore it down, she hadn’t realised quite how long it had become. ‘I must find a salon. I need a cut.’ Aware Nik was staring she asked, irritably, ‘What?’

‘Nothing. You have flour on your cheek, that is all.’ He reached over and stroked it off. ‘There. All gone.’

He was in kissing distance, his lips hovering over hers. Chloe could smell the cold briny air on him, the damp clinging to his sweatshirt, his clean soapy scent. She held her breath, spellbound. Her whole being wanted to kiss him. She inched her lips closer.

Suddenly Nik surged to his feet, his height dominating the room. ‘Look, I can see you’re busy and I’m feeling sleepy now. Maybe the tea did the trick. Night, Chloe.’

He’d gone before she realised. She breathed out, her heart thumping painfully. Closing her eyes, she put her hands over her breasts, willing them to stop heaving. They felt heavy and full, aching to be caressed but not by her fingers. What had just happened?

Stop kidding yourself, Chloe, you know precisely well what just happened. She liked Nik. Above and beyond the schoolgirl crush, this was more than hormones kicking in at the sight of his good-looking face and tanned muscles. She liked his kindness, the way he got on with everyone, the way he really listened as if you were the only person in the room who mattered.