Page 90 of Grounding the Baker
“Like what? Are you going to start a new business?”
“At my age? No chance. We always planned to travel once you took over the bakery. We wanted to do this world cruise that leaves from Southampton and hits every continent. Well, it’s a sail past Antarctica, but I want to do that.”
“That sounds amazing. When is it?” asked Liam, unable to keep the panic out of his voice.
“It leaves every three months, so there are a few options. I think August would be best, as that means I’ll be back for Christmas.”
“That doesn’t seem far away,” said Liam, keeping his voice neutral. He didn’t like where this conversation was going.
“August isn’t definite. It’s just the only date this year that would work. I want to be here for your mum’s birthday in June, and... well... Christmas will be...”
His dad’s words trailed off, and Liam knew what he meant. Christmas would be hard enough without her, as she was like Mrs Claus, but it would always be marred, as that was when she’d died. Liam wasn’t sure what to say. His dad looked the happiest he’d been since his mum died, and he didn’t want to dampen that, but to not only step away completely from the bakery, but to leave for three months, and so soon after she’d died... Was Liam being selfish? His dad needed something for himself. Liam understood that. He had Austin and Maisie. It wasn’t like he was going to be on his own when his dad went on his travels. So why did itfeel like he was losing another parent? Liam was being ridiculous, he knew that, but it had thrown him. He needed to move the conversation away from his dad going on the cruise.
“Are you sure about the bakery, Dad? I’d love us to run it together.”
“You don’t need me in the way. I know you and that business brain of yours. There are probably a million ideas already running through your mind.”
Liam couldn’t help but smile. There were things he’d thought about over the years– ways he could make better use of the space, offer online orders, and more product options– but it had been his parent’s business, so he hadn’t made any big suggestions, just new cake ideas.
“I have one last business decision I’m going to make before you sign those deeds.”
“What’s that?”
“Hire some more staff. I checked the books, and you can promote Chloe to manager, hire two more people, and still be turning a healthy profit.”
Liam couldn’t stop the tears from falling. He was so happy to see his dad smiling again, and the bakery was his dream, but he couldn’t help but feel sad it would no longer be a family business. Not in the way it always had been.
“I’m not changing the name,” said Liam.
“I think there’d be a mutiny in the village if you did that.”
Liam laughed before getting up to give his dad a hug. He felt more like his old self, which Liam had missed the past few months. Liam still wasn’t sure about the idea of owning the bakery by himself and his dad going off to sail the seas, but his emotions were too high to thinkabout it all now. He didn’t want to say something he’d regret and risk upsetting his dad when he was in such a good mood. Right now, he could keep his feelings to himself, and they could enjoy a delicious Sunday dinner together.
TWENTY-THREE
AUSTIN
Austin woke up to a strange noise. He looked at his bedside clock– it was only three in the morning. Instinctively he reached across for Liam, then remembered he’d been for dinner with his dad and was staying at home. Austin needed something to cuddle, so he pulled one pillow close to him and tried to go back to sleep. He closed his eyes and heard the noise again. What was that? He sat up and strained to hear. It almost sounded like a whimpering. It could be coming from outside. They got a lot of wildlife here. He flopped back down on his pillow and tried to switch his brain off, then he heard it again. That definitely wasn’t coming from outside.
Austin jumped out of bed and pulled on his sweatpants. He slept naked, so he didn’t want to risk giving his daughter an eyeful if she’d been woken by the noise as well. He didn’t think it would be a burglar. That didn’t happen in Heartwood. Crime was virtually non-existent, but he still looked around for something to grab. There was nothing. He couldn’t hear the noise anymore, but still opened his bedroom door quietly. Creeping into the living area, heheard the noise again and realised it was someone crying. Thinking it was Maisie, he rushed forward, and what he saw broke his heart.
The man he loved was curled up in a ball, sobbing his heart out, trying to muffle the sound with a cushion. His instinct was to go to him immediately, but he didn’t want to scare Liam. Austin didn’t know why he was here, but he suspected something had happened with his dad this evening. What else could it be? He’d seemed like the same Liam in their goodnight text messages, all loving and flirty. Liam opened his eyes and saw Austin. He startled for a second, and then his face crumpled. Austin sat down on the sofa and pulled Liam into his arms. He didn’t need to ask questions. His man was in pain, and Austin would give him the comfort he needed. He gently stroked his back as Liam cried into his chest. He wasn’t wearing a top, so Austin could feel his warm tears on his skin.
“I miss my mum,” Liam cried out, followed by gut-wrenching sobs.
Austin’s own eyes watered, seeing Liam in such pain and knowing he couldn’t take it away from him. All he could do was be there for him as Liam cried his heart out. Austin had thought something might be coming. He’d gone through it himself with his own parents and Ellie; it had just crept up on him. Even if you bawled your eyes out when it happened and at the funeral, there was always something that would trigger the feeling of loss again, and it would be different, because you’d had more time with it, and it felt more final.
With Ellie, one of her favourite songs had come on the radio when Austin was doing a big shop at the supermarket. Bursting into tears surrounded by three hundred varieties of pasta was not what he’d been planning that evening.
“Dad,” said Maisie, making them both jump. “What’s wrong with Liam?”
“He’s just missing his mum. You can go back to bed, sweetie.”
She shook her head and climbed onto the sofa with them, putting her arms around Liam. He was so proud of his daughter. It had only been eighteen months since her own mother had died, and here she was providing comfort to someone else. He rubbed her back and used his other hand to stroke Liam’s hair. They stayed like that, holding each other whilst Liam cried it out.
“Austin,what can I do for you?” asked Martin. “Liam’s at the bakery.”
Liam wasn’t at the bakery. He was asleep in Austin’s bed, but he didn’t need to say that. Once Liam could talk, he’d explained what had happened with his dad the night before. Was Austin overstepping here by speaking to Liam’s dad without asking him first? Probably.
