Akash

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FOR HAVING MOVED BACK into his flat, Akash spent a remarkable amount of time at Hamish’s place. Over a couple of weeks, they went out on several dates, almost always winding up in his bed. He couldn’t find a reason to complain.

Who would?

The renovations on his bakery had been finished a week early. It would reopen in a few days, on Friday morning. Akash initially planned to simply go on with business as usual, but Shanti convinced him to at least post a few flyers about the neighbourhood.

He didn’t see the point. All of his customers followed him online, where he’d kept them all up to date on the progress of the renovations. He planned to create a few special pastries for the occasion.

Might as well.

Slouched down in a chair in the rebuilt kitchen, Akash jotted notes down in his chef’s journal, a habit he’d picked up from one of his baking mentors. He kept a careful diary of every recipe created, or at the very least tweaked by him; he didn’t have Hamish’s brilliant ability to never forget. Luck had been on his side the night of the fire, and his book had been in his vehicle.

Unlike his Royal Marine, Akash tended to forget all the important things, but remembered every single humiliating moment of his life. Grabbing his now cold cup of tea, he moved over to the sink to dump it out. He decided to make his way down the street to the café on the corner for a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Maybe it would inspire him to come up with an extra-special creation for his bakery.

After double-checking the back door, Akash headed out the front of the bakery. He locked up, waving at the owner of the shop beside his. She smiled and wished him luck on the opening, promising to come over if only to get her usual scone.

“Oi. Akash. Wait up.”

Akash groaned at Scottie’s familiar voice, and continued on toward the café, hoping the man would take his lack of interest as a sign to go away. “Not likely.”

“Talking to yourself?” Scottie caught up with him. “Will you slow the fuck down? I want to talk to you.”

“Not interested.”

Scottie shot in front of him to halt his forward momentum. “Look—”

“No.” Akash squared off against Scottie for what seemed like the millionth time. “Will you bugger off? I’m not interested.”

“Sit your ass down.” A grey-haired and bearded man who stood about two inches taller than Scottie moved between them. “You hear me? I said to sit your punk ass down.”

Akash frowned when the American stranger grabbed Scottie by the shoulder and shoved him onto the kerb. “I was handling it.”

“Is this an exclusive party of three?” Hamish rounded the corner and joined them. He glared at Scottie, who surged up only for the grey-bearded stranger to knock him back down. “Ahh. Gray. I see you’ve made yourself useful.”

“I’ll just continue being useful.” He grabbed Scottie by the back of the shirt, yanked him up to his feet, and dragged him away.

“What the hell?” Akash watched the retreating figures while trying to process what had happened. “Or, more, who the hell was that?”

“Meet our newest employee—Gray Baird. He’ll be quick to tell you it’s not pronounced ‘Beard’ as well. Retired marine and police chief from the States, if the accent didn’t give it away. An old friend of Wyatt’s. He apparently got bored in the sunshine and decided to join us.” Hamish sounded rather unenthused about the arrival of the man. “He doesn’t have a lot of patience for what he considers to be stupidity.”

“And Scottie?”

“King of stupidity.” Hamish shrugged.

Akash decided not to worry about Scottie and focus on more important things. “Shouldn’t you both be at work?”

“Showing him around the city and helping him find a flat.” Hamish draped his arm across Akash’s shoulders. “Want to have lunch with me? Not sure how long Scottie’s spanking is going to be.”

“He’s not actually—” Akash didn’t know if he really wanted to know. “I’m having coffee and a bite to eat at the café we tried last week.”

“Figure of speech.” Hamish led him toward the café. “I hope.”

Two coffees and grilled cheese sandwiches later, Akash wandered back toward his bakery with Hamish in tow. They found Gray waiting patiently by the front door. Scottie was nowhere in sight.

“Akash Robinson.” He held his hand out toward the American.

“Gray.”

Akash blinked at the nod he received in acknowledgement, and let his hand fall to his side. “Right.”

Hamish turned his head to wink at Akash. “I’ve got a few more places to show him. Can I take you out for supper later?”

“Sure.”

With a quick, bruising kiss, Hamish strolled away, his new American friend following behind him. Akash rolled his eyes at the two men. He returned to brainstorming recipes, and tried not to think about all the other nonsense going on around him.

Aside from renovating, Akash had lost both of his assistants. The twins found working with Aled in the garden far more peaceful than having to deal with daily customers. They’d stood in his flat fidgeting nervously for ten minutes before Alice blurted out that they loved him but wanted to change jobs.

He’d miss seeing them every day. They promised to come by often. He told them he was proud of them for being brave enough to change their routine up with a new job.

And he was.

The shop would be far quieter without the two of them. Alice tended to hum nonstop, while Alex randomly repeated Doctor Who quotes. He felt like a big brother letting his younger siblings go for the first time.

Stop being daft.

Grabbing his mobile, Akash messaged a reminder to himself to follow up with the university to see if they had any students to recommend to him. They’d promised him a few candidates. He hoped one or two would be willing to start immediately.

His mum had made him promise never to attempt to run the bakery alone for more than a day or two. He’d once wound up exhausting himself to the point of needing to go to the hospital. It only made him want to work on his endurance.

Mum worries too much.

The good news was, the twins had emailed him earlier. They’d come in to help him prepare everything the morning of the opening. Akash knew not to ask them to stay for the crowds; people loved to gossip, and going to the reopening of a shop after an arson attack provided plenty of opportunity for them.

As long as the gossips bought scones and pasties, Akash couldn’t be bothered to worry over the rumours spread about him. He hadn’t heard anything from detectives. No arrests had been made.

They knew it was arson, and that Akash hadn’t done it.

Freddie: Have any plans for the evening?

Akash: Of a sort. Why?

Freddie: Want to go to the Sin Bin with us?

Akash: Us?

Freddie: Everyone involved with the club and their significant others, except for Caddock because Francis can’t handle the free-flowing alcohol.

Freddie: Bring your marine. Aled’s coming as well with Wyatt.

Akash: Scottie might not be so pleased by all of this.

Freddie: Taine said not to worry about it.

Odds of this all ending badly? Ten to one. Shit.

His imaginary plans for the evening evaporated immediately. No supper, no evening alone in Hamish’s flat. They’d have a quick bite before going to the club. He hoped everyone behaved themselves.

Akash: Slight change of plans. Want to go to the Sin Bin with me tonight?

Hamish: Only to spend time with you. Can I bring backup?

Akash: Backup?

Hamish: Gray found Scottie amusing.

Akash: I don’t want to know.

Hamish: Pick you up at six for supper before we head to the club? Wyatt can bring the others with him.