‘Dixie’s feeling under the weather, remember? I’ve just told her to go back to bed. We can’t ask her to look after George if she’s not well.’
‘I could help?’ Bree offered, giving George a cheeky wink that made him giggle. ‘Judging by the snow out there, surely there won’t be many customers.’
George was jumping up and down. ‘We can build a snowman, watch a film … eat sweets.’
‘We could,’ replied Bree, smiling at him.
‘There we go, all sorted. We will only be a couple of hours max, won’t we?’ Molly said happily.
Cam looked at his wife in astonishment. Had she really just agreed to hand over the care of their son and Cam’s livelihood to someone they’d only met yesterday?
Molly continued. ‘You could put Starcross Manor’s order on the trailer and we can drop that off on the way. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.’
Cam didn’t know what to say; he was flabbergasted that Molly would even suggest that Bree be left alone with so much responsibility.
‘Would you like to take Bree and go and get some breakfast?’ Cam was looking directly at George, who pulled at Bree’s hand as they disappeared into the kitchen.
As soon as they were out of earshot, he rounded on Molly. ‘Are you being serious?’
‘Why not? Do you really want me to answer that? The list is endless … and she’s only sixteen.’
‘I was sixteen when I started babysitting, and I’m sure Bree will be glad of the extra cash. It’s not as though George is a baby either.’
Cam looked horrified. ‘I’m beginning to feel invisible. Molly, we do not know this girl.’ Cam emphasised each word in a hushed whisper.
‘I didn’t know half the kids I babysat for until I turned up at the house, and believe me, some of those parents didn’t know anything about me, except my first name.’ Molly pointed to the window. ‘And how many people do you think are venturing out on this weather? My guess is the shop will be empty, and they will just sit and watch a film. We can help Sam to get the residents moved and we will be back before we know it. Honestly, you are over-reacting. She’s just a girl who needs a break, a chance in life.’
Cam still felt apprehensive.
‘Drew is going to be here any second,’ Molly added.
‘Mol, we agreed one night.’ Cam was hoping that Molly could see his point of view too. ‘We have our own family to put first. One night is going to lead to another and then it’ll be even more difficult to ask her to leave.’
They were at a stalemate and it was only broken when Bree slipped back into the bakery. She was dressed now with her bag slung over her shoulder and she was buttoning up her coat.
Cam saw her out of the corner of her eye and took a breath. ‘Look, we do know that things are difficult for you, and you aren’t having an easy ride but—’
‘But I’m not your problem,’ interrupted Bree. ‘I’m no one’s problem except my own.’
Molly noticed Bree bristle as her eyes darkened and she looked straight at Molly. And there it was again, Molly’s memories taking her straight back to the past. Bree was standing by the door ready to leave and there was something about this scenario that struck Molly deeply. She’d seen that look in Bree’s eyes. It was the same look that was in her own mother’s eyes as Molly was taken away all those years ago.
Bree’s eyes left hers and now she was looking at Cam. Bree wasn’t scared of looking Cam straight in the eye and Molly knew her bravado was more than likely a survival technique. ‘I am just a normal girl with a different set of circumstances than what is considered the norm, and because of that it seems you don’t like me much.’
Cam stayed silent. It wasn’t the case at all. He didn’t know this girl and though he fully understood her life had been tragic, he was dealing with his own fears and uncertainties and all he wanted to do was keep his own family close and safe.
‘You think people who live on the streets are all the same but it’s you people in your posh houses with your lucrative businesses that are all the same. You think I’m unworthy of kindness, incapable of being responsible, unemployable. I’m not on the street by choice but you know what? I’d rather be who am I than have your stereotypical blinkered views. I bet you’ve rifled through my bag looking for drugs.’ Bree clung on to the straps of her bag.
‘It’s not like that,’ replied Cam. He knew Molly was looking in his direction but he didn’t dare look sideward.
The air was tense and Molly didn’t like to see anyone feeling uncomfortable. She knew she had to intervene.
‘We don’t think you are unworthy of kindness. Every day we bake extra bread and treats to take to the shelter for people just like you and we are both in awe of the work that Sam does.’
‘I get that, and thank you. We do all appreciate it,’ said Bree, dropping the harshness in her voice as she genuinely thanked them. ‘But doing a good deed and giving someone a chance are two different things. I’ll be off now.’ Her hand was on the door handle.
‘Bree, wait. Don’t leave like this.’ Molly didn’t want her walking out into the bitter cold and, she had to admit, she was somewhat impressed by how Bree had stuck up for herself. She was a feisty young girl and though the words she spoke were a little emotional, they weren’t aggressive or expletive. She was calm and spoke the truth. All people did need in life was a chance, and the world would be a better place without stereotypical judgement.
Her words had resonated with Molly, especially knowing that only a few years back Cam himself had been down on his luck. He’d gone through a divorce, lost his family home, his dog who was his life had passed away, and he’d no longer had a job after signing over his business to his ex-wife. It was Dixie who’d provided him with a lifeline, a place to live and a business to resurrect. Not everyone was that lucky.
