Page 11 of Mistletoe and Wishes at The Cornish Bakery

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‘DOES IT NEED TO GOacross a little?’ Holly stood back and looked at the table she and Teresa had just shifted to the side.

‘Yes, you’re right.’ Teresa placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head. ‘I’ve been doing this for the last three years, you’d have thought I’d have remembered where the tables go to make room for grotto, wouldn’t you? But nope, I always forget.’

Holly laughed. ‘I’d be the same.’

Teresa grinned as they lifted the table again, inching further to the right. ‘I might actually draw a little diagram once we’ve worked it out. It’ll probably save hours next year.’

‘Good idea.’ Holly lowered the table again before tucking the chairs under. They still had half the tables and chairs to shift around, but luckily with only one occupied it shouldn’t take too long.

‘How’s it going?’ Wendy closed the office door behind her before walking across the bakery towards them.

‘I was just saying I might draw a diagram to remind myself where to put the tables.’ Teresa shook her head.

‘That’s what you said last year.’ Wendy grinned.

‘Did I?’ Laughing, Teresa slapped her forehead. ‘I wonder where I put that then.’

‘No idea. I’ll give you Botha. hand though, Molly is just finishing some bits off, then she said she’ll come and help us too.’ Wendy began pulling chairs away from under the next table they had to shift.

‘Wendy!’ Molly hurried towards them, the office door shutting with a click behind her.

Wendy paused and looked up. ‘What’s the matter? Has Jayne rung back already with the colour of the balloons they want?’

‘No, no, it’s not Jayne.’ Hurrying over to them. Molly held up the portable landline phone she was holding. ‘It’s the hospital. They’re asking for you.’

‘The hospital.’ Wendy's face turned ashen as she took the phone from Molly. ‘This is Wendy. What’s happened? Is Hudson okay? Is he hurt?’

Teresa placed her hand on Wendy’s arm as Wendy listened and nodded.

‘Okay, thanks. Bye.’ Wendy lowered the phone, her hands shaking.

‘Is Hudson all right? What’s happened?’ Teresa asked.

‘Hudson’s fine. It’s Connor. He’s slipped on some ice and fractured his leg. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital.’ Wendy pinched the bridge of her nose. ‘Why didn’t he ring me? Let me know? What if he’s more hurt than they’ve said? There must be a reason they rang me instead of him, mustn’t there?’

‘Not necessarily. He might be in shock, or his phone out of battery. I’m sure they would have said if there was something else.’ Teresa wrapped her arm around Wendy’s shoulder.

‘I need to go up there. I need to check he’s okay.’

‘I’ll get your coat and bag.’ Molly disappeared back into the office.

The kitchen for swung open as Elsie walked through carrying two full trays of cupcakes. As soon as she saw Wendy, she slid the trays onto the nearest table and rushed towards her. ‘Oh love, you look as though you’ve seen a ghost. Whatever’s happened?’

‘It’s Connor. He’s been taken to hospital. He slipped one she ice and has broken his leg.’ Wendy turned to Elsie and sank into her arms.

‘Oh no.’ Elsie wrapped her arms around her before pulling away a little. ‘Right, let’s get you up there, shall we?’

‘It’s okay, I can drive.’ Wendy turned and took her bag and coat from Molly. ‘Thank you.’

‘No, don’t you even think about it, love. I’ll take you.’ Elsie turned towards Teresa. ‘Are you all okay holding down the fort? Ian has just popped out but should be back at any moment. When he does get back, can you tell him what’s happened please?’

‘Of course.’ Teresa nodded.

‘Right, come on then, love. Let's get you to the hospital.’ Elsie gently steered Wendy out of the bakery.

‘Oh, I hope he’s okay.’ Holly watched as Elsie and Wendy disappeared into the kitchen.

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