Chapter Fourteen

T urning 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.’

‘Aw, I wish I’d seen it.’ Not that she’d have been able to, even if she hadn’t run away to Cornwall. No, her boss wasn’t one for family time or letting people take time off in general. ‘So, if Julie and Becky are okay, then what’s happened? Tell me.’

‘I’m not going to worry you, not when you’re enjoying yourself.’

‘Go on.’ Robyn tapped her foot on the tiles. She would. She could always break her sister. Cathy would give in eventually.

An audible sigh swooshed down the phone line. ‘Okay, okay, I’ll tell you, but I’m not telling you because I want you to do anything. I’m telling you because, quite frankly, I need someone to talk to who understands.’

‘Uh-huh, now I know what you’re about to say.’ Robyn turned around, leaning her back against the counter. She had a feeling she’d need a bit of support for this. ‘Mum and Dad are doing you head in.’

A shriek of laughter filled the line. ‘It’s as if you can read my mind.’

‘Haha, so what’s the latest?’

‘They’re both coming for Christmas dinner. At mine. Together. At the same time.’ Cathy’s voice grew clipped. ‘Mum and Kevin and Dad. All three of them. Together. At the same time. I repeat... Together. Help!’

Robyn’s mouth dropped open. Mum, her husband, who both she and Cathy refused to call stepdad as he’d never lifted a finger to try to get to know them, and Dad. What could go wrong? ‘I... I don’t know what to say. Do you want me to come back for the day? Why have they decided to visit at the same time?’

‘No, don’t you dare! You stay down in Cornwall where it’s safe.’ Cathy took a deep breath. ‘Dad didn’t know what to do with himself as Gran is going to Uncle Stan’s and you’re not here and that stupid husband of mine opened his mouth without thinking and told him he could come stay here on Christmas Eve. Of course, no problem there, in fact it’ll be quite nice having Dad about to see the kids open her presents, but then Mum and Kevin will be arriving before one for dinner and he’s not mentioned anything about leaving so, yeah, it’s going to be a fun day.’

Robyn scuffed the toe of her trainer against the black and white tiles. The three of them hadn’t been together since little Becky’s christening and even then although they’d both attended, they hadn’t exactly spent any time in close proximity to one another. They’d been seated separately both during the ceremony and at the small celebration afterwards. ‘I mean, it might be okay. They might behave themselves, being as Kevin will be there.’

‘Umm, we’ll see, but if you don’t hear from me on Christmas Day, you’ll know that I’ve escaped to the Bahamas or somewhere just as far away.’ Cathy’s voice became muffled, as though she were holding her hand over the phone’s speaker before becoming clear again. ‘Sorry, I’ve got to run. Catch you another time.’

‘Yep, see you.’ Slipping her mobile back into her apron pocket, Robyn looked around the bakery. She was really enjoying volunteering here, but did Cathy need her back home for Christmas Day? Leaning down, she pinched the bridge of her nose, a headache forming. She’d ring her every day up until Christmas Day and at any point if she started to sound as though she really wouldn’t cope, Robyn would head back. The bakery would be closed for a few days anyway so she wouldn’t be letting Elsie down. She could travel back down as soon as her parents had gone their separate ways again.

Looking up, she watched as the kitchen door pushed open and Elsie and Brooke walked through, both carrying plastic boxes. Rushing forward, she grabbed the top one from Brooke’s stack just as it began to slide off.

‘Wow, that was close. Thanks!’ Brooke grinned as she lowered the rest of the boxes she was carrying to a table.

‘Are these what need to go to the care home?’ Following suit, Robyn placed the one she’d rescued on top.

‘They are indeed. Are you sure you’re happy to take them over, love? We’ll help you load up your car, but you’ll make sure you get help at the other end, won’t you?’ Elsie slid her stack onto a different table.

‘Yep, definitely sure. And I’m positive they’ll be someone to help when I get there.’ Robyn grinned. She’d been looking forward to going to the carol and dance evening all day.

‘Okay, thanks, love.’ Elsie checked her watch.

‘Why don’t you get going to Diane’s and I’ll help Robyn?’ Brooke patted the top box on the stack next to her.

‘Oh, I feel bad leaving you both to do this.’ Elsie glanced at the boxes.

‘No need to feel bad. We’ve got this.’ Robyn smiled. She’d learned very quickly that Elsie didn’t like to take time off for herself.

Elsie nodded firmly before grabbing her coat. ‘Thank you. If I go now, I’ll be able to meet Ian at Baywater Delights. He’s been helping out there today.’

Robyn and Brooke followed Elsie out of the door with the boxes. Pulling her car keys from her pocket, she clicked it unlocked before pulling open the boot. It felt good to have her car back.