Chapter Five

‘... a nd these cupcakes at the end of the stall please, love.’ Elsie passed her a lidded tray from the back of the bakery van.

‘Thanks.’ Taking the tray, Robyn turned to the market stall. It was full now, every inch of space crammed full of baked goodies, cookies, cupcakes, pasties and, of course, loads of mince pies. After putting the tray of red and green iced cupcakes down next to the Santa shaped gingerbread, Robyn paused and looked around the market square in Trestow, the town closest to Penworth Bay. Rows of stalls selling all sorts from snow globes to Christmas wreaths packed the town square. Most, including theirs, had strings of fairy lights hanging from the green and white striped awnings and again strung in front of the stall table itself. The aroma of roasted chestnuts floated on the air from a stall a little further along and the noise of a carousel positioned behind their row of stalls carried on the slight wind.

The stall next to them was selling an array of musical toys, from the traditional jewellery boxes to jolly stuffed reindeer which played the tune to Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer . On their other side, the stall overflowed with handmade wax melts and candles, some of which had been poured into delicate teacups or Christmas themed jars. Opposite stood an empty stall, still waiting for the vendor to turn up.

‘Oh, that looks lovely, doesn’t it? Lots of treats to sell and keep the customers warm as they make their way around the market.’ Coming to stand next to her, Elsie checked the time on her watch. ‘And we’ll start having people arriving any time now.’

‘Yes. Does it usually get busy here?’

‘Very busy. But it won’t feel like it.’ Elsie rearranged a tray of cookies. ‘People are usually in high spirits and the day will just fly by.’

Looking up and down the cobbled market square between the row of stalls, Robyn watched as people began arriving, families with young children skipping ahead or being cajoled away from the toy stall with the promise that Santa would be visiting soon, couples holding hands and pointing to the goods on sale, presumably discussing whether Aunt Sylvie would prefer the brightly striped woollen scarf and glove set or a hand-painted biscuit tin for Christmas, and then there were the people who meant business, the people who strode from stall to stall purchasing gifts with intent and purpose.

‘Looks as though our neighbour opposite has arrived.’ Elsie nodded as a van pulled up behind the stall in front of them.

Robyn sighed. Typical! Of all the Christmas markets that must be happening today and of all the stalls set up in this market and who had to arrive opposite them?

‘That’s Dasher’s owner, isn’t it? Trestow Cidery?’ Elsie waved as Jasper jumped out of the van and strode towards the back of it.

‘Uh-huh.’ Robyn nodded. Great, not only did he pop into the bakery yesterday, but she’d have to put up with his sly remarks all day today too.

‘Why don’t you go and give him a hand, love? You can ask how Dasher is after his big adventure.’ Elsie rubbed Robyn’s arm.

‘Oh, no. I think he’s got it covered.’ She watched as he began unloading his van and setting up his stall. ‘It looks as though he knows what he’s doing.’

‘Okay, love.’ Frowning, Elsie shook her head slightly before turning to their first customer of the day. ‘Morning. What would you like on this chilly day?’

Robyn buttoned up her coat a little higher and repositioned her scarf as she watched Jasper erect an A-frame in front of his stall. Umm, he was selling mulled cider then. That was a shame. If it hadn’t been him selling it, she’d have been over there in an instant to get her and Elsie one. Now, that would have warmed them up.

‘Ooh, those mince pies look delicious, I’ll take four please?’ A man in a yellow jacket and blue scarf pointed to the tray of mince pies.

‘Certainly. And, yes, they are super tasty.’ Robyn smiled as she began serving. Maybe if she just didn’t look in Jasper’s direction, she could forget he was even here and enjoy herself.