Page 3 of Grounding the Baker
Tony had a big grin on his face when Michael scowled at him. Those two were always bickering like an old married couple. They’d been at the same high school and it had been the same since then. Austin would have said they had a crush on each other, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Michael needed someone calm who could bring peace to his busy life running the village. Tony needed someone who could keep up with his pace and not want any commitment. Nathan was another story. He’d told them he was gay when they were teenagers. Given his Nigerian heritage, he’d been worried about how his mother would react, but she couldn’t have been more supportive. Austin had never known his friend to have a boyfriend in all the time they’d known each other, however, but Nathan was very private about his personal life, so there may just not have been anyone worth mentioning.
Austin shifted his seat to sit next to Nathan, leaving the other three to talk loudly over each other.
“How are you, Nathan? Not too noisy for you?”
Austin knew Nathan was oversensitive to loud noise, so he didn’t come out often. Nathan shook his head and smiled.
“I won’t be upset if you want to head off. I’m happy you’re here, but you know what those three can be like when they’ve had a few drinks.”
Nathan smiled. “I want to be here. It would have been nice to see Maisie.”
Austin beamed at him. Nathan was, by far, Masie’s favourite uncle. Nathan would always have a depth of knowledge on whatever his daughter’s latest interest was, and if he didn’t know, he’d find out.
“Why don’t you come over tomorrow and have dinner with us?” asked Austin.
Nathan smiled before nodding his head.
“I’ll make that chicken pasta thing you both like. Would you mind picking up some cakes from Sylvie’s on the way?”
Nathan frowned.
“What’s up?”
“Sylvie died.”
“What? When?”
“Over Christmas. The bakery has been closed since then. I don’t know when it will reopen.”
Austin had seen it was closed when he’d walked past on the way here, but he’d just assumed it was because it was New Year’s Day.
“Do you know what happened?” asked Austin.
He’d known Sylvie since he was a boy. She’d been friends with his mother, and Sylvie’s Slice had been the heart of the village for as long as he could remember. How could he not have known about this? But then, he’d not left his cottage until today.
“Someone said something about a heart attack,” saidNathan. His eyes darted around, like he was speaking out of turn. Nathan wasn’t a fan of gossiping, so Austin understood.
“Do you know how Martin’s doing, and what is their boy’s name?”
“Liam. And not a boy anymore. He’s nearly thirty.”
“Okay, now I do feel old.”
Nathan smiled. “I haven’t seen either of them. Liam lives in London, but he’s up here at least once a month, helping in the bakery.”
“Wow, I just remember him being yay high,” said Austin, gesturing a short height with his hand.
Nathan leaned forward. “He’s cute.”
Austin raised an eyebrow. “Have you got a crush, Nathan?” He whispered, as he didn’t want the others to hear. They’d try to “help” in a very unhelpful way.
“No.” He shook his head. “I think he’s cute foryou.”
Austin was surprised, but couldn’t help his curiosity. “What do you mean?”
“When you see him, you’ll know what I mean,” he replied with a coy smile.
Austin would usually dismiss anyone saying something like that, but not Nathan. The guy was incredibly perceptive, and would pick up on things everyone else would miss. Despite what Austin had said to his friends earlier about relationships, he now felt this inexplicable need to meet Liam and see what sort of man he’d grown into.
