Page 17 of Christmas Joy at the Cornish Bakery

‘Oh, I know!’ Elsie grinned as she wiped her hands down her apron and walked across to the counter encircling the large kitchen. Picking up a wire rack of gingerbread Santas, she then slid them across the large stainless-steel table towards Robyn. ‘How do you fancy icing these? They’re to send to Penworth Bay Care Home for this evening’s carol and dance event.’

‘A carol and dance event?’ Robyn pulled the wire rack in place. Angie, the manager at the care home, had begunmentioning something about an event being held tonight, but she’d had to rush off when one of the residents had dropped a jug of water across the carpet.

‘That’s right. Ian and I went along last year to deliver some food they’d ordered and ended up staying for the evening. It was a good night.’ Elsie grinned. ‘A very good night.’

‘Oh, I remember you telling me about how much you’d enjoyed that night. Are you going again this year?’ Teresa glanced up towards Elsie.

‘As much as I’d love to, we can’t. Diane’s parents are visiting to take her and Harry out to do some baby shopping today and they’ve invited us over for dinner.’ Elsie began kneading the bread dough again.

‘That’ll be nice. I’d forgotten Diane wasn’t in today.’ Teresa picked up the tray of now fully iced and decorated cupcakes and swapped them for a large carrot cake. ‘Is Angie collecting the food for the care home?’

‘No, she’ll be run off her feet, I should think. I’ll pop over before going to dinner.’

‘I don’t mind delivering them.’ Robyn drew a red outline of Santa’s coat, the lines a little too wobbly for her liking.

‘Are you sure, love?’ Elsie glanced across at her.

‘Yes, of course. My car should be ready today too, so I’ll pop over and see Scott at the garage on my lunch break.’ She swallowed. When he’d rung her yesterday to tell her the good news, she hadn’t dared ask how much it was going to cost.

‘That would be great, if you really don’t mind, love?’ Elsie smiled. ‘And of course, if your car isn’t ready, you can always take the bakery van.’

‘Okay, thanks.’ Robyn grinned as she tried again, outlining Santa’s coat in the deep red icing. It would be nice to see everyone again, Lizzie, Terrence, and the other residents.

‘WOW, THAT WAS CRAZY!’ Robyn turned the small door sign from Open to Closed and locked the door before leaning against it and rubbing her ankle. ‘Please tell me it’s not going to be this busy from now until Christmas.’

‘Umm.’ Brooke began stacking up empty trays. ‘Do you want me to lie to you?’

Groaning, Robyn joined her at the bakery counter again. The queue of customers had been non-stop today, right from the moment they’d opened until closing time.

‘We’ll have Diane back tomorrow, though.’ Brooke smiled.

‘True.’ Robyn nodded as she popped the till open to begin counting their takings.

‘And then, of course, we’ll have the lantern parade, which will bring in even more customers as the bakery becomes one of the stations people can come and decorate their lantern before the parade begins. And...’ Brooke continued. ‘... then it’ll be people coming to collect the Christmas cakes and treats they’ve ordered...’

Turning to face her, Robyn grimaced. ‘So, in other words, this was one of the quieter days leading up to Christmas Day?’

‘Er, yes. But I love the run up to Christmas here, so I don’t mind the chaos. Everyone’s always so happy and the atmosphere is just...’ Brooke hugged her arms around her middle and smiled. ‘So Christmassy.’

Robyn laughed and turned back to the till. With the decorations, the Christmas tree and the grotto, she could hardly imagine the bakery being able to be more Christmassy. The funny thing was, she didn’t actually mind it. The one reason she’d been hesitant in booking this break down here had been because she’d been worried about the joys of Christmas beingshoved down her throat but despite it being the very reason she’d wanted to escape her hometown, she was enjoying it. The hustle and bustle had taken her mind off her parents and the worry of trying to please the both of them, and she had to admit, she was beginning to enjoy the carefree run up to the big celebration.

A clatter sounded from the kitchen, and Elsie poked her head around the door. ‘Could one of you just give me a hand with the dishwasher, please? I’m not sure what I’ve done.’

‘Coming.’ Hugging the empty trays she’d collected to her chest, Brooke hurried through to the kitchen.

Chapter Fourteen

Turning back to the till, Robyn continued to count out their cash takings. Just as she bagged up the last of the coins, her mobile rang through the silent bakery. Pulling it out of her apron pocket, she smiled. ‘Hey, Cathy. How’s it going?’

‘Fine. All fine.’ Cathy’s voice was shrill. ‘I was just ringing to see how things were at the bakery?’

‘Good, thanks. Great, even.’ She looked around, the fairy lights twinkling on the Christmas tree, bathing the bakery in a warm glow. ‘Are you sure things are okay with you? You sound stressed.’

‘Nope. All good. So, you’re definitely not going to be coming home for Christmas then?’ Cathy’s voice reached an octave higher.

‘No, why?’ Robyn frowned as she secured the bag and dropped it in the pile on the counter. Something was off. Cathy was normally the infallible one, the one who always looked on the bright side, who saw the best in every situation rather than letting anything worry her, but tonight she was worried. ‘Has something happened to Julie or Becky?’

‘No, no, your nieces are fine. Actually, Julie had her Christmas dance show at ballet, and she did really well. She even remembered her steps and spoke in front of everyone to thank the parents for coming.’

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