Page 15 of Christmas Joy at the Cornish Bakery

Jasper nodded and picked up a couple of plates, which were now ready.

‘And if you’re going to eavesdrop, then do it properly.’ She shook her head as she picked up two large plates heaped high with roast dinner and all the trimmings. As she walked across towards the closest table, she breathed in the tasty aroma of the dinners in her hands. If she hadn’t eaten that roast at the pub earlier, she was sure her stomach would be rumbling.

THROWING HER HEAD BACK, Robyn laughed at another one of Terrence’s jokes. It was the way he told them, and she was sure if anyone else tried to repeat them, they’d sound lame, but Terrence had the punchline delivery spot on every single time. She had joined Terrence, Lizzie, and their son and his wife at a table in the lounge, a huge room filled with clusters of sofas, a large TV and a few tables and chairs around the outside of the room, one of which they were sitting at. She hadn’t enjoyed herself so much in ages. Yes, she had a good time with her friends and with Cathy, but this was different. Here, she could be herself and not worry about what others thought of her. She wasn’t trying to impress the latest guy her friends had invited out with them, desperately trying, and failing, to set her up. Not that she wanted to meet anyone, or indeed had agreed to any of the blind dates, but because she didn’t want to be rude, she didn’t want to show her friends up. But, here, everyone had been so welcoming, treating her as though she’d known them for years.

‘Would anyone like another drink?’ Robyn began collecting the empty teacups and glasses from the table, stacking them on a tray.

‘Now that sounds like an offer I couldn’t refuse.’ Terrence passed across his cup. ‘Shall I take your turn whilst you’re fetching them?’

Robyn looked down at their game of cards and nodded, although she had assumed the game had been long ago discarded. Their attention instead focused on chatting and laughing at Terrence’s jokes. ‘Yes, please.’

‘Grand. Whose turn is it?’ Terrence picked up his fan of cards.

Standing up, Robyn picked up the tray and turned, pausing in her tracks as she saw Jasper walking across to them and watched as a scowl quickly replaced his smile the moment he noticed her. Lowering her head, she scurried past him, anger seething in the pit of her stomach. Why was he still so rude to her?

She forced herself to smile as she walked past him, tray in hand, towards the drinks table set in the corner of the room. ‘Hi.’

Jasper nodded, darting his eyes towards her for the briefest second as they crossed paths.

Chapter Twelve

With the tray now filled with fresh teas, coffee and juice, Robyn made her way back to Lizzie and Terrence’s table. Great. Jasper had seemingly made himself comfortable having taken her chair next to Tom, Lizzie and Terrence’s son, which left only one remaining, which was right next to Jasper himself.

She glanced around the room, trying to search out anyone who might need her help or a bit of company but with the room was filled with residents’ friends and family members and the other tables and sofas were full, volunteers flitting about fetching drinks and chatting to anyone who didn’t have visitors.

Robyn sighed. She guessed it would seem rude if she just disappeared after promising to fetch the drinks, anyway. There was no escape. She’d just have to suck it up and face the music. Or more aptly, the scowls and long silences from Jasper.

As she reached the table, she frowned. Was Jasper laughing? Yes, at one of Terrence’s jokes, too. Kicking the empty chair back, she laid the tray on the table and began handing out the drinks.

‘Ah, there you are. Thank you, dear.’ Lizzie picked up her teacup, taking a sip before nodding towards Jasper. ‘You came from Penworth Bay with Jasper then? He was just telling us.’

‘Oh, right. Yes. That’s right.’ After passing the drinks around, she looked at the coffee she’d brought over for herself and placed it in front of Jasper. ‘Sorry, I didn’t realise you were joining us. Here’s a coffee if you like.’

With a slight flare of his nostrils, which only Robyn could probably notice, Jasper slid the mug towards Robyn, his voice clipped as he answered her. ‘Thank you, but no thanks.’

Nodding, Robyn slipped into the chair and pulled the mug towards her, wrapping her hands tightly around the hot ceramic.

‘Go on then, tell us why you decided to give up your afternoon off from the bakery to come and spend time with us lot.’ Lizzie raised her eyebrows. ‘I’m sure a young lass like you could have found a more exciting way to spend your time.’

‘Oh, I...’ Robyn shifted in her chair. She couldn’t very well tell them she was strong-armed into volunteering by Gerald, could she?

‘Gerald coerced her into it.’

Thanks, Jasper. Robyn narrowed her eyes at him.

‘Oh, really? Tell us more.’ Terrence looked between them both. ‘Why would Gerald have made you come, Robyn?’

Scrunching up her nose, Robyn could feel her cheeks flush as the whole table turned towards her, waiting for her to answer.

‘She doesn’t believe in happy families or true love.’ Jasper shrugged as though he were relaying the latest bargains to be had down at the local corner shop rather than disclosing her secret beliefs. ‘Gerald thought you guys could prove her otherwise.’

Thanks again, Jasper. Robyn kept her eyes fixed on her coffee.

‘You don’t believe in happy families?’ Lizzie tilted her head. ‘What do you mean by that, dear?’

Letting out a long sigh, Robyn lifted her head, first glaring at Jasper before looking at Lizzie. ‘That’s not quite it. I was in the pub, and I just happened to mention that all the families laughing and chatting over dinner wouldn’t be doing that if they were at home.’

‘Oh, right.’ Lizzie nodded. ‘You think they’d be sitting on the sofa, their attention on the TV?’

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