Chapter Nine

P ulling out another string of fairy lights from the box in front of her, Robyn stood up and began hanging them from the roof of the grotto. When she’d returned from the Christmas market in Trestow, she’d found Ian and Wendy building a shed at the back of the bakery, which would be Santa’s grotto.

And this morning, when Elsie had asked for a volunteer to transform the shed into a magical grotto, Robyn had jumped at the chance. This was just what she needed after yesterday’s confrontation with Jasper. A morning focusing on creating rather than speaking. Time to block out all thoughts of Jasper and his entitled accusations.

‘Wow, this is looking amazing, love. You’ve a real eye for things like this, don’t you?’ Elsie's voice sounded from behind her, and Robyn turned and stepped towards her, looking back at the grotto, which now resembled a magical, sparkly place Santa might visit rather than a dull, boring garden shed.

‘Thank you. I must admit, I do love anything crafty.’ Stepping forwards, she quickly adjusted a strand of red tinsel framing the door. The red complimented the green of the wreath positioned in the middle of the door and the gold baubles hanging from the string of the fairy lights encircling the roof.

‘I like it too.’

Robyn turned and smiled as she realised Jessie, the girl she’d served a couple of days ago, had joined them to admire the grotto. ‘And I think Santa will love it.’

‘Do you think? I hope he will.’ Robyn reached up and switched the fairy lights on, the twinkling lights further adding to the festive feel.

‘I love it!’ Jessie clapped her gloved hands to her cheeks and smiled. ‘When will he be here? Santa? Is he coming today?’

‘Aw, love, not today. He’s still busy working in his workshop to make all the toys he’ll be delivering on Christmas Eve.’ Elsie bobbed Jessie on the nose. ‘Santa will be visiting us on the day of the lantern parade and when it’s the Christmas market.’

‘Ooh. Yay! Can I come and see him?’ Jessie tilted her head and looked expectantly up at Elsie.

‘We’ll have to ask your mum.’ Elsie turned as Jessie’s mum joined them, a large paper bag in her hand.

‘Mum, Mum! Can I come and see Santa? Please? I’ll be super good, and I can bring that picture of the sleigh and reindeer I drew for him. Do you think he’ll like it? Do you?’ Jessie jumped up and down in front of her mum, questions rushing out of her mouth in the excitement.

Laughing, her mum shifted the paper bag to her other hand and placed her palm on her daughter’s head. ‘Yes, of course we’ll come and see Santa, and I think he’s going to love your picture.’

‘Yay!’ Turning back to Elsie and Robyn, her eyes shining with elation, Jessie smiled. ‘I can come and see Santa.’

‘That’s great, love.’ Elsie answered as though she hadn’t been privy to the conversation.

‘Right, we’d best get back home. These cookies are still warm so we can have them as soon as we get in. What do you think?’ Jessie’s mum nodded towards the paper bag in her hand.

‘Oh, yay! And hot chocolate?’ Jessie began walking towards the door.

‘Looks like we’re off. Thanks.’ Jessie’s mum grinned at them before following her daughter.

‘Why don’t you have the afternoon off, love? You’ve been at this for hours now. You deserve a break.’ Elsie touched Robyn’s forearm.

‘Oh, I don’t need the afternoon off. I won’t know what to do with myself.’

‘There’s lots to do. Treat yourself to a nice pub lunch, have a wander on the beach. And if I’m not mistaken, I think there’s a pop-up gallery in the village hall. I’m sure I’ve seen a flyer about somewhere.’ Glancing around the bakery, Elsie pointed to a poster stuck in the window. ‘Yep, in the window. A group of local artists will be displaying and selling paintings today.’

‘That does sound good.’ Robyn looked towards the bakery counter where Diane and Brooke were rushed off their feet serving. ‘I can’t just walk out, though. You’re busy.’

‘We’ll cope.’

‘But Diane...’ She couldn’t just leave when Diane had been on her feet all morning. She should be the one taking the afternoon off.

‘Diane will be coming into the kitchen with me now. Even if I have to wrestle her through the door and force her to sit down.’ Elsie chuckled. ‘Don’t worry about us. We have it covered. Ian’s about today so he can jump behind the counter. He loves spending the extra time with his granddaughter, anyway.’

‘His granddaughter?’ Robyn frowned. Who was that then?

‘Yes, he’s Brooke’s grandad, so really you’ll be doing him a favour by taking the afternoon off.’ She smiled warmly.

Robyn laughed. ‘Well, I can’t really refuse now, can I?’

‘Nope.’ Chuckling, Elsie turned towards the counter and pointed at Diane before calling over her shoulder to Robyn. ‘Remember to wrap up warm. It’s cold out there.’

‘Will do. Thanks.’