The Heart of Baker’s Bay

by Danielle Jacks

  “Er, yes,” I say, lifting the tray from the shelf and quickly lining it with green bun cases.

  “Check the fridge for some butter and add a bit to the pan. If there’s golden syrup, add a few spoons of that too.”

  “How much butter?”

  “At this point, I wouldn’t worry about the amount just add what you think is a hundred grams and four tablespoons of the syrup.”

  She waits on the phone while I make up the buns. I lick the mixture from my fingers when I’m finished.

  “Okay. Can I go to sleep now?” she asks.

  “You’re trying to tell me you haven’t enjoyed this children’s approved cooking lesson?”

  “You know I love you, but I need to sleep.”

  “Sarah.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Anytime, beautiful. Now hurry up and come home.”

  “I’m working on it.”

  We say our goodbyes, and I finish cleaning up before crawling into bed. Tonight’s effort is a temporary fix, although it’s saved me for now.

  After a restless night’s sleep, I’m back in the café, feeling rough and looking like I need a good shower. It’s already mid-afternoon and people have been buying my poor excuse for buns. Kayleigh gave me a questioning look when she saw them but didn’t mention my change in menu. Luckily for me, my gran’s at the hospital for an appointment and I haven’t seen her since breakfast. Only three more hours and I’ll have made it through another day. My phone chimes with a message. I reach into my apron to retrieve it and Sarah’s name flashes up on the screen.

  Max’s Bakery had a frozen lemon drizzle cake and sixty peanut butter biscuits. I’ve sent them to you via express delivery.

  I message back:

  A thousand times thank you. I owe you one.

  At least something is finally going my way. It’s another temporary solution to my problems, but I’ll take it.

  Kayleigh returns from her break. After assessing the cleanliness of the café, she shoos me out the door. All the customers have drinks, and there’s nothing that needs doing. I roll my eyes as a smirk appears on my lips. She has a gift for timing, although I welcome a few minutes of fresh air. I hang up my apron and step outside. Clover Bay is beautiful. The sound of waves crashing instantly relaxes me. As I look across the bay, I see Adam sitting on a rock, eating a sandwich. He’s looking away from me, staring out towards the ocean. I should leave him alone. Especially knowing he’s not interested in being my friend. Against my better judgement, I take a step towards him, followed by another.

  “I can see why you like it here,” I say as I get closer to him. My focus stays on the choppy waves.

  “Everyone needs a place to call home,” he replies after a few seconds.

  “Home is where the heart is.”

  He glances at me. “Are you an Elvis Presley fan or are you just quoting a popular phrase?”

  “I don’t mind his music, but I wouldn’t say I’m a super fan or anything. My gran was listening to the radio this morning, and it’s stuck in my head. I have to admit, he has a point though.”

  “Oh, yeah? And what’s that?” he asks curiously.

  “I’m not full of wisdom, but there must be a reason people are still listening to his music fifty years later.”

  He nods. “So, where holds your heart?”

  “I want to say Manchester, but the truth is, my sister is my anchor. She’s always been there for me. What about you? Who holds your heart?”

  “I guess people would say it’s Clover Bay, but I’m not a sentimental person.” He looks away from me towards the sea, and I wonder if he keeps his feelings locked away. He’s not the oversharing type as far as I can tell, so I should drop this subject. “I have a parcel coming tomorrow. Should I meet you at the top of Clover Hill?”

  “Is it a home comfort?”

  I shrug when he glances at me again. “Something like that. It’s emergency necessities, and I need it first thing.” I cover my face, hoping he can’t see through my vague words.

  “I’ll bring it to the café as soon as I can. Don’t worry about tackling the hill.”

  “I should’ve ordered some walking boots too,” I think out loud while picturing the cobbles.

  “I might be able to find you some old boots lying around. What size shoe are you?”

  His cold attitude seems to be missing today, and although he’s only mildly friendly, I prefer this version of Adam. I should be thankful he’s not scowling at me, but it’s probably only a matter of time before he blows cold again.

  “Five. Thank you. That would be great.”

  We stare silently out into the ocean for a few minutes. It isn’t uncomfortable, although I can’t think of anything to say. I wonder what makes him tick. How can someone be so content in such a small piece of the country? It’s peaceful, but there’s nothing to do around here other than relax on the beach.

  Instead of asking my questions, I wave goodbye and head back inside before I say the wrong thing. Once my apron is back in place, I approach the counter. Kayleigh is serving takeaway drinks.

  “I saw you talking to Adam,” Kayleigh says, with a knowing chin nod towards the door.

  I ignore what I think she’s implying and the fact she must’ve left the café unattended to know where I was. I’m not here for a holiday romance or to fix my gran’s tearoom. If I can make it through these next few weeks without any bad luck, I’ll be happy. I don’t need to complicate anything. Clover Bay is all about the simple life, and that’s what I want while I’m here.

  “He’s helping me with something.”

  She touches my elbow. “Just don’t get your hopes up with him. He won’t date another outsider.”

  “What do you mean, another?” I frown. What can be so bad about dating someone who isn’t a native to the village?

  She rubs her eyebrow. “I probably shouldn’t say, but his ex-girlfriend, Erin, left to return to Ireland. That’s why he doesn’t talk to the tourists. He put himself out there and she broke his heart. Now he keeps himself away from anyone who might hurt him.”

  “That’s sad. It must’ve been rough on him.” I’ve never been dumped by anyone I cared about, so I don’t really know what that feels like.

  “Adam really loved her, but I guess it wasn’t enough. He’s always been quiet, but she brought him out of his shell. He was completely crushed when she left.”

  “It must be nice to feel so strongly about something, even if it was just for a little while.” If only I could muster that much passion about something, maybe I wouldn’t be such a disappointment to my family.

  “I hear you, although I only date the tourists.” Kayleigh licks her lips before glancing at an older guy who’s sitting drinking coffee. He lustfully smiles at her, which I’m guessing implies he’s her latest man. He’s not bad-looking with his sandy brown hair and strong jawline, but I think he’s wearing a wedding ring.

  “Why would you choose someone only interested in a short fling?” I ask in confusion.

  “The way I see it is like that movie with Adam Sandler. You can reinvent yourself one hundred times over and you have no chance of being hurt. Unless he’s rich, I’m not interested in more than a couple of dates anyway, so it’s a win-win situation.”

  I laugh. “You’re crazy, you know that, right?”

  She laughs. “It’s better than being boring.”

  This is why I like Kayleigh. She doesn’t make me feel like a failure. She’s happy to live in the moment and make mistakes. If only I could be so carefree and not worry about what other people think.

  “I guess life would be dull if I wasn’t such a disaster.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I point to the rice crispy buns and we both burst out laughing.

  “I wasn’t going to say anything.”

  “You were thinking it though.”

  We smile at each other before getting back to work clearing the newly vacant tables. I let
Kayleigh leave an hour before closing. By four p.m., Clover Bay is quiet anyway. There are no customers in the café and the streets are empty. I sit by the counter with a cup of tea and a packet of coconut ring biscuits. There are only two rice crispy buns left, and we’re out of everything else. Overall, I don’t think it’s been a bad day.

  I’m debating with myself if I should close the shop when the overhead bell rings above the door. A petite woman in a long summer coat enters the café. It’s half an hour until closing time, and all I want to do is to relax on the sofa, but this business is important to my grandmother and I don’t want to do anything to upset her. I take a deep breath before smiling brightly. I really hope she wants a takeaway drink.

  “My name is Betty, and I’m from the Clover Bay Review. You must be the new girl.”

  Panic sets in. Is she a food critic? My pulse quickens and my palms begin to feel hot. I can’t screw this up for the café. I push my mug behind the till and wipe my hands on my apron. Whoever this woman is, I can’t ask her if she’s important. My only option is to treat her like royalty and hope I don’t do anything wrong.

  “What can I get you?” Should I have called her madam? She points to my poor effort at buns.

  “Is this all you have left?”

  My heart is in my throat. I’m about to make my excuses when the bell rings again.

  “Crazy Betty, leave the poor girl alone,” Adam’s deep voice says.

  Thank the heavens. This guy seems to be saving me every chance he gets.

  “I was only messing with her. Molly normally gives me the leftovers on Fridays.” Her shoulders slump forward as she drops her uptight act. It doesn’t matter if she tried to trick me. I want to give her what she wants and get her out of here.

  “Tea and a rice crispy bun?” I ask.

  “I suppose,” Betty says while admiring her chipped nail polish.

  I give her a takeout cup and paper bag. She’s reluctant to depart, but Adam shows her the door. I quickly turn the closed sign over before leaning against the glass. I take a moment to calm myself down. Adam watches me, but I don’t allow it to bother me.

  “Thank you. I almost had a heart attack,” I say.

  “No problem. You’ll get used to the quirks of the village.”

  I push away from the glass door and pull myself together. “What can I do for you?”

  “Molly’s running late and didn’t want you to worry. She asked me to meet her so I can help her with a few bags of shopping.”

  “You’re like the village hero.”

  “I’m a glorified postman who delivers more than the mail, that’s all,” he says sounding humble.

  I laugh, imagining him as a super postman. He doesn’t smile, and I decide not to share my silly thought. “Thanks for letting me know about my gran. Can I get you anything for your walk?”

  He looks at the lonely bun and then back at me. His lips tighten. Is he trying to hide a smirk?

  “I can’t bake, okay. I’m the last person anyone would send to do anything. The only reason I’m here is because my sister heard me make you that promise.”

  I shouldn’t have said that. As usual, my mouth runs away with me before I’ve thought it through.

  “I was going to say I’d take your last rice crispy bun if you don’t want to eat it yourself. Tea would be good too. It’s going to be a long walk.”

  “Oh.” I’m lost for words. I’ve stupidly dropped myself in it. I turn to make his drink, hiding the red-hot flush creeping up my face. I make two teas and place them on the counter then go to get my coat from the hallway.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m coming with you. I have until we reach the top of the hill to convince you not to tell my gran I’m a complete failure.”

  Adam studies my face but doesn’t say anything. I break eye contact to lift the lid on the display cabinet and reach inside to take out the last rice crispy bun. I put it on the counter next to his cup while he watches me with a look I can’t read. I pick up my own drink, and wait for his response. After a few seconds, he takes the goodies from the counter and walks out of the café. I turn the hot water machine off and follow him out of the door.

  “I won’t tell your gran about what you said.”

  “Good.”

  “Great.”

  “Awesome.” I want to slap myself on the forehead for having the charismatic skills of a goldfish. We walk in silence as we start the climb up the killer hill.

  “Why are you keeping my secret?” I eventually ask.

  He glances in my direction. “I have a feeling you won’t let your gran down.”

  I nod, hoping he’s right. “I’m going to try not to. I do have a question though. What is the Clover Bay Review?”

  “It’s a group of local women who print an annual brochure for the tourists to pick up.”

  “Would my baking affect the feature of the café?” I bite my lip, worry flooding through me.

  “No. Betty just likes to think she’s important.” He shakes his head.

  “So, who do I need to impress to be accepted in Clover Bay?” I smile eagerly like I’m trying to get into a secret society.

  “Being Molly’s granddaughter is enough.”

  “I doubt that’s true when it comes to you.” We look at each other but quickly break eye contact.

  “There’s no need to try and impress me.”

  “Most people want to be liked. Apart from you, maybe.” I’ve been trying and failing for years to be accepted by the right people.

  “Why does my opinion of you matter?” He frowns.

  “Even though you try to act disconnected to the village, you seem to be helpful when people need you.” I believe he has a bigger connection to the smooth running of the village than he gives himself credit for.

  “So you want my help?”

  “No. I want to get to know the person who hides away.” He’s a mystery I can’t help wanting to discover.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he says, earning me another frown, which I match with my own tightening features.

  “Sorry. I forgot, I’m from the city so you can’t possibly give me a chance.” I probably should be nicer, but I can’t help myself. I want to get to know him and don’t see why it’s a problem for me to be an outsider.

  “Has anyone ever told you how frustrating you are?” He shakes his free hand.

  “Many times,” I say honestly.

  “I help people because I can, and it’s the right thing to do. It doesn’t mean anything more.” He sounds matter-of-fact, but I don’t think he’s that cold-hearted.

  “Okay. I can accept that,” I lie.

  “Great. I’m glad.”

  For some reason, I don’t believe he doesn’t have any feelings. I don’t think he’ll tell my gran I’m not the best person for the job, and I also don’t think he’ll let me fail if he can help me. I want to at least try to get to know him. We fall into silence, but it’s not uncomfortable. There is something I like about Adam, and I’m not ready to give up on him yet.

  Seven

  Adam

  Saturday

  I lace my black combat boots, tying the string in a tight knot. Looking at the clock, I see I’m earlier than usual, but there’s no point in hanging around. The sooner I get Jody her parcel, the sooner I can stop thinking about her, or at least that’s the theory. She’s different from other girls I’ve known, and my first impression was wrong. If only I could suppress my curiosity, but the more I find out about her, the more I like her.

  Last night, the offer to bake with her was on the tip of my tongue. It took every ounce of self-control to not roll up my sleeves and march her into the kitchen. She makes me feel things I don’t want to, which is exactly why I should stay away. I can’t take any more heartache, and spending time with her is a bad idea. She’ll leave and then I’ll be here alone again.

  My thoughts wander to my ex-girlfriend. Erin going back to Ireland was the right decision for
us both. She was only here for a college placement, and I’d known the score when we started dating. I wouldn’t want anyone to give up their dreams for me. It still hurt though, knowing I wasn’t enough for her to change her plans. I’m not in love with Erin anymore, but the knowledge I’m never going to find someone is a lonely prospect. I won’t leave Clover Bay, and I doubt I’ll ever ask anyone to stay here again. Love isn’t on the cards for me, so I prefer not to feel anything, which includes curiosity towards Jody.

  I give Dax one last pat on the head before setting off out of the house. As I reach the brow of the hill, I can see Jody walking ahead of me. My brows crease. Why didn’t she listen to me? Against my better judgement, I quicken my pace to catch her up.

  “I would’ve brought the parcel,” I say in a brisk tone.

  “Yes, well, that was before my best friend decided to play a trick on me.” She’s not laughing, and my mood lightens slightly.

  “How bad can it be?”

  She stops walking and covers her eyes. Her face is red, and I’m guessing it isn’t from the cold morning air. She doesn’t seem to be the strong-headed city girl I first thought she was. Another quality I wish I could ignore. Today, her hair is pulled back, and she’s wearing yoga pants. Her make-up is minimal, and she looks almost natural. She might’ve been in a rush this morning and didn’t have time to dress up, but I’m hoping this is the real her.

  “Sarah’s boyfriend has been to Magaluf on a stag do. The packaging could be the most embarrassing thing imaginable. Sarah’s hysterical laughing on the phone last night didn’t fill me with confidence.”

  A smile breaks out on my face, even though I shouldn’t be amused. “How bad are we talking?”

  “Are you laughing?” She pouts.

  “No,” I lie, still smiling.

  “I didn’t think you knew how to lighten up.”

  I scowl, only I can’t hold it in place. She’s trying to throw me off the trail of her mysterious parcel. Instead of answering her, I increase my speed up the hill.