The Villager

7

THE VILLAGER
ʚɞ Ruth ʚɞ

The smell of flour and sweets jolts in my nostrils and senses as soon as I walk inside the bakery. Mr Clementine deals with customers that have come in for the day to pick out their delicious sweets and he lifts his hand, silently greeting me and continues to speak to the sweet couple that has arrived.

Prepping my apron on top of my dress, I begin to wipe the shelves for the cookies that sit up front in the case for customers to lurk. The couple exits the bakery, and Mr Clementine comes to my side as I slide in the pans of cookies.

"Did you stay behind yesterday evening to make these again? You should have written to me," I questioned him.

He waves me off. "I did not wish to bother you."

"This bakery is my life, Mr Clementine. This is my business."

"Yes, but you have a life outside of this bakery too. Now, we shall prepare for the customers that shall arrive soon."

"Actually, I am expecting an engaged couple this evening. They wish for me to bake their cake for their wedding," I explain.

He pauses at his steps, in shock. "Really? That is wonderful to hear."

"Yes, indeed it is."

Was I ready to see Timothy yet again? No, but what else was I supposed to do?

"Alright, prepare for them this evening," he orders kindly along with a smile that never leaves his lips as he walks to the back to start his own baking this morning.

The bakery began to slowly trickle in with people of the village, and some city people showed their faces on this side of Lockwood. I treated them all like normal people, respecting every being that entered the shack. By evening, the bell rings above the door just as I sip on my freshly brewed coffee and look up to find a giddy Tiffany, whom grabs ahold of Timothy's hand. His eyes are everywhere, lurking the bakery, remembering the place just as it was.

Tiffany greets me with a shy wave. "Evening, Ruth."

"Good evening, you two. I hope you two did not get lost on the way here," I say, leaning my hands upon the counter.

She waves me off. "Oh no, Timothy here knew this route like the back of his hand, right?" She squeezes his hand to gain his attention and his head turns to us.

"Yes, right." He nods along to her words.

"Alright, who is our lovely couple that is soon to be wedded?" Mr Clementine rounds the corner, wiping his floured hands and stops mid step and his eyes widen when he takes a glimpse of Timothy in the bakery with a lady on his side. "Oh."

Tiffany looks up to Timothy in confusion, assuming he knows the older man. Timothy blows out a breath of realization at Mr Clementine, unraveling his hand out of his fiancé's and meets Mr Clementine in the middle and they both hug.

"How are you doing, boy?" Mr Clementine questions him, genuinely asking. "I haven't seen you since you were a young teen. How is your family? I am sorry about your father's passing."

Squeezing both of my hands together, I allow the both of them to interact with one another, not wishing to interfere. Timothy had his fair share with my boss, good times and bad times, but they both loved each other dearly.

Mr Clementine knew the whole story between Timothy and I. He knew how complicated we were, but never judged.

"I am doing quite well. How are you? Still holding up okay?" Timothy shares a softening smile, patting his shoulders as they let go of each other.