Chapter 24

Three months later, on a day when the summer sun was hot on their backs, Patty and Vera stood outside a small shop, conveniently situated on the street leading to the place where the ferries from Liverpool docked, so that gentlemen returning after a day at the office or families heading for the pleasures of Birkenhead Park could not avoid passing it. Above the door was a sign that read PATTY’S PANTRY and inside it was possible to see tables spread with spotless white cloths and set with delicate china and fine silverware. In the window there was a display of Patty’s finest baking. There were eclairs and cream buns, chocolate scones, fruit cake, slices of parkin and flapjacks, and in pride of place, sparkling in the light of a carefully placed oil lamp, was a Savoy cake.

From the waterfront came the sound of the gangplank being lowered from the ferry and the voices of passengers disembarking.

Vera touched Patty’s arm. ‘Come on, partner. Time to open up. Here come our first customers.’

They hurried inside and Patty turned the sign on the door from CLOSED to OPEN. In the kitchen Vera had turned up the heat under the big kettle that was already singing on the hob. Patty’s stomach gave a lurch. Suppose no one came in? Suppose her display of cakes and pastries was not good enough to tempt them to pause on their way home to sample them? Suppose the whole project ended in failure?

The bell on the shop door tinkled. Patty wiped her sweating palms on the back of her apron and hurried out into the shop.

Gregory Armstrong stood in the doorway with his hat in his hand and sheepish smile on his handsome, sunburned face. Daisy was at his side.

‘We couldn’t wait any longer for one of your cakes,’ he said. ‘We’re not too early, are we? We wanted to be your first customers.

Patty caught a sharp breath. She wanted to burst out laughing, but already three elderly ladies were waiting for Greg to move out of the way so they could enter. Behind them, she could see a well-dressed gentleman with a small boy.

‘No, you’re not too early,’ she said. ‘I’m really glad you came. Please sit down. I’ll be with you as soon as I’ve settled these ladies.

Moving from table to table, taking orders and serving her cakes, Patty’s anxiety ebbed away. It was going to be all right! This was what she had always wanted. She had found her niche, the home she had never had, and the future looked bright.