Page 83 of Frosted Fakes

"Just that I know things." Candice's smile sharpened. "Interesting things. About arrangements and agreements and the like." She let that hang in the air for a moment. "But I'm sure it's nothing. I'm sure everything here is exactly as it appears. Isn’t it?"

Julia's face had gone pale. Tom was staring at the floor.

"I think," Elliott said, her voice dangerously level, "that you should probably leave now."

"Of course." Candice smoothed her jacket. "I've got my own business to run, after all. A legitimate business. With proper credentials." She paused at the door. "Lovely to see you all. We should do this more often."

The bell chimed her exit.

Silence.

"Well," Julia said finally. "That was terrifying."

"She doesn't know anything." Elliott's hands were shaking slightly, which annoyed her. "She's fishing."

"Are you sure?"

No. Elliott wasn't sure at all. Candice had been watching them for weeks, poking around, asking questions. It was only a matter of time before she put the pieces together, if she hadn't already.

"We'll deal with it," she said. "Whatever happens."

Julia nodded, but her eyes were worried.

The rest of the morning passed in a haze of customers and croissants, and Candice's veiled threats echoing in Elliott's head. By noon, she was so tightly wound that when the bell chimed again, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Easy there." Milly stood in the doorway, leaning on her walking stick and looking thoroughly amused. "It's only me."

"Milly." Elliott rounded the counter before she could think better of it, pulling the older woman into a careful hug. "Why don′t you call? I can come and pick you up."

"I like taking the bus." Milly patted her back. "Besides, I wanted to see the old place. See how you're really getting on."

"I'm fine."

"Mmm." Milly's eyes, sharp as ever despite her age, swept the shop. "You look… happy. And slightly terrified."

"I'm not terrified."

"You're always terrified. You just hide it well." Milly allowed herself to be led to the counter. "Now, where's Julia?"

As if summoned, Julia emerged from the back, carrying a tray of scones. She spotted Milly, and her face lit up. "Milly! You’re back!"

"Like a bad penny," Milly smiled warmly. "Now, get an old lady to a chair. That old one in the kitchen will do. I want to hear all your news."

Elliott busied herself making tea while Julia chatted with Milly, watching them from the corner of her eye. Julia was animated, laughing at something Milly said, and Milly was looking at her with an expression Elliott recognized. Assessment. Approval.

She brought over a pot of tea and a plate of pastries, then hesitated.

"Sit," Milly said. "Tom can manage the front for a few minutes."

"I'm fine!" Tom called from behind the counter. "Stop hovering and drink your tea."

Elliott perched on the edge of the kitchen table. For a while they chatted about everything and nothing, then Julia went to the front to serve a customer and Elliot knew what was coming.

"Right." Milly sipped her tea, her eyes twinkling. "How are things between you two? Really?"

"We're figuring it out," Elliott said carefully. "Things, um, got a bit more serious. I bit more… real."

"I know." Milly set down her cup. "I could tell the moment I walked in. You've got that look."