Sounds like me,thought Bridie. Perhaps something embarrassing had happened to her too, and she’d had to leave the stage, change her life. Bridie would rather not get into a conversation about that – or be reminded of it – although it was obvious that Reggie would have loved to chat some more. Bridie was quickly changing her mind. ‘Well, I’d better go. I’ve got rolls to buy, otherwise my mum is going to be phoning me up again, wondering where I am.’
‘Of course, of course. As I said, if you’re ever in Cobblers Yard, just pop in.’
‘Yes … thanks,’ Bridie said, not committing. Now she was worried that Reggie might go to work and start searching for her on the internet and find out what had happened the previous night. She made a show of looking at her watch. ‘Wow, is that the time? I’d better get going.’
Reggie smiled at her. ‘Me too. Might I suggest you try The Two Magpies Bakery. It’s where I pick up my morning croissant.’
Bridie knew of it. Her mum had said down the phone that she had to get the rolls from that place, and only that place. ‘All right. Thanks.’
‘Oh, take my umbrella.’
Bridie shook her head. ‘I couldn’t possibly.’
‘Please, I insist. Cobblers Yard is only round the corner. You’ve got further to walk to the bakery.’
Bridie hesitated. ‘If you’re sure.’
‘I insist.’
Bridie took the umbrella.
Reggie smiled, a twinkle in those bright blue eyes. ‘Well … see you around.’
Bridie nodded, thinking, not if I see you first. She winced as she set off, thinking that it was a mean thought. However, she knew that sooner or later she’d bump into someone who would know everything that had happened.
She heard Reggie call out, ‘And be sure to return my umbrella, when you can. You know where I am.’
Bridie turned around and saw him waving goodbye. She lifted a hand and waved too, rolling her eyes, realising that he’d had an ulterior motive for lending her his umbrella; he wanted to be sure he’d see her again.
She sighed.I should be holed up in my childhood bedroom, hiding under my duvet, crying into my pillow today,she thought. She’d felt like it. She still did, but it wasn’t fair on her parents. They’d be worried about her enough without knowing that deep down she felt like she was falling to pieces – her life certainly was.
Bridie headed off to find the bakery, hoping a nice crusty white roll would cheer her up. She was realising that justbeing on her own with her thoughts wasn’t doing her any good whatsoever.
She paused for a moment and turned around. Reggie was already out of sight. It was too late to catch up with him and tell him she’d changed her mind – and maybe if she headed for his shop, it would be busy with customers anyway.
She turned down the next street, away from the seafront, and walked past a row of cottages, an old-fashioned café, and a small pub with Georgian bowed windows and a gabled roof. She slowed. She fancied a drink – perhaps a glass of wine, or several. Not that she would at that time of the day. ‘She continued past the pub and on to the main high street. It had been an age since she’d walked along it. The fish and chip shops were still there, one either side of the street, along with the pet shop and some upmarket clothes shops.
Bridie stopped in front of the pet shop and decided to buy her dad’s new puppy a toy. A few moments later, she stepped out with a carrier bag full of treats, chew toys, more toys, and a lovely soft dog throw for their sofa – or her bed, if she was going to sneak him upstairs again.
She didn’t want to think about what she had left in her bank account after her impulse buys. One month’s salary was not going to go far at this rate.
She murmured, ‘I need a job.’ The trouble was, after all those years of work, like a lot of people, she had little by way of savings to show for it. That wasn’t something she’d tell her older sister. Kate would not be impressed. And Bridie didn’t want another lecture.
She glanced at the carrier bag as she walked down the street. Despite everything, she had enjoyed spending money on the puppy.
Up ahead, Bridie saw The Two Magpies Bakery. Situated in an old-fashioned end-of-terrace building on the corner, it had largewindows, and a split-level floor inside. She could see people queuing at the counter just inside the entrance for cakes, scones and takeaway drinks, but it was a café too, with chairs and tables near the counter, and also on the mezzanine level up a short flight of stairs.
Bridie was just approaching the place – she had to cross a small side street to get to the shop and café on the corner – when she looked up and saw a familiar figure through the slightly steamed-up window. It was Oliver.
He was older, broader in the shoulders, his dark curly hair peppered with grey. He was sitting alone, hunched over a mug. When he looked up and saw her, his eyes widened.
Their eyes locked for a brief second. Then his whole face softened into a smile, and Bridie was transported back to the happier, more carefree time when she was a teenager.
Chapter 11
She could see, behind his ready smile, the surprise written all over Oliver’s face. She was probably the last person he’d expected to see walking down the street in Aldeburgh.
Bridie felt ever so guilty that she had never got around to arranging to meet him after all the times her parents had given her his number. But she knew what they were up to; just like Grandad, they never had liked Julian. She knew what they were all thinking; she’d just got together with him because she was thinking of her career.
