Chapter Nineteen

‘ H appy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Hudson, happy birthday to you!' As the song ended, little Hudson leaned forward and took the biggest breath he could muster before blowing out the candles.

‘Yay, for Hudson.' Erin clapped her hands as Elsie stood up with the cake.

‘I'll go and cut this up while you all tuck in.' Elsie smiled as she turned and head towards the kitchen with the large superhero cake Wendy had expertly created.

‘Wow, that was amazing, Erin. Thank you so much for organising all of this.' Wendy came to stand next to her.

‘You're very welcome. I've really enjoyed it.' Erin grinned as she watched the children gathered around the table, some pulling on the superhero masks she'd left in their places whilst others reached for the sweet treats Elsie had laid the table with, filling their plates with mounds of food they probably wouldn't finish. The parents and guardians were standing behind their children, chatting and enjoying mugs of coffee and cookies. Yes, despite the initial panic, she'd enjoyed every moment of planning and implementing Hudson's party and it certainly hadn't felt like work.

‘I think this is the best children's party I've ever been to.' One of the other mums nodded at Erin.

‘Hands down, it is. Definitely.' Another mum reached for another cookie before looking across at Erin. ‘Do you have a card with your details on? I have little Corey's party coming up next month and would love you to plan that, too.'

Opening and closing her mouth, Erin shook her head. ‘I'm sorry, I don't usually plan parties.'

‘Oh, well, you could. You should. You've a real talent for it.' The mum smiled. ‘If you ever change your mind and open your own business, let Wendy know so I can have your details, please?'

‘And me.'

‘Yes, me too.'

Erin grinned as she picked up a stray sausage roll which had fallen to the floor. ‘Thank you, but I'm afraid I won't be in Penworth Bay much longer.'

‘That's a real shame.' The woman who had first asked leaned against the counter. ‘We need a good party planner around these parts.'

‘Mummy, look! I'm Captain America !' Pippa ran up to Teresa, a mask covering her face, and threw her arms around her mum before holding one hand out in front of the other and running across to the other side of the bakery.

‘I think I may just get someone to bed early tonight, so a huge thank you from me, Erin.' Teresa laughed.

‘Haha, you're very welcome. She's been a star. They all have.' Erin turned to Hudson. ‘Shall we go and stand by the door and hand out the party bags?'

Nodding, Hudson pushed his chair out and took Erin's hand.

‘Here you go. Shall I hold the tray of party bags and you can pass them out?' Picking up the tray brimming with small bags, Erin positioned herself by the door, little Hudson standing next to her. She watched as one by one the adults rallied their children up, collecting their masks from the table, a slice of cake from Elsie and any abandoned capes or shields from their costumes before heading across to them.

‘Thank you so much, and remember, tell Wendy to let me know if you do hang around and carry on with the party planning.' The mum to the girl who had won the prize in Parcel Parcel helped her daughter to a party bag before saying happy birthday to Hudson again and stepping outside.

‘I will and thank you for coming, both of you.' Erin watched as Hudson handed out the bags until four were left sitting in the middle. ‘Good job, Hudson. You're a pro at handing out all your party bags. There's one for you, Pippa, Toby and Rueben now. Do you want to go and give them out?'

Hudson nodded and ran off towards Teresa's children as they danced to the music while Teresa helped tidy.

‘Now that was a resounding success.' Teresa grinned as she scooped leftover crisps and hall-eaten sandwiches into a bin bag.

‘Yes, you did a marvellous job, Erin.' Elsie shifted a couple of plates before placing a tray of mugs on the table. ‘Help yourselves to coffees.'

‘Thanks. I'll just pop these in the dishwasher and then I could definitely use some caffeine.' Erin laughed as she picked up the stack of bowls she'd been collecting.

‘I'll help you before I go and change.' Tim tugged at his mask, careful not to reveal his face to the children still about. ‘It's hot under here.'

‘I bet it is.' Elsie chuckled as she handed the coffees around.

Erin pushed the kitchen door open and stood with her back against it as Tim walked through before letting it swing shut behind them. ‘I'm so relieved that's over.'

Tim placed the plastic beakers he had been carrying onto the stainless-steel table before pulling off his mask. ‘You did amazing. The kids loved you and really enjoyed the party. That was obvious.'

‘Do you think they did?' Erin began loading the dishwasher.

‘One hundred per cent.' Picking up the beakers again, he joined her. ‘And so many of the parents were asking for your details.'

‘I know.' She grinned. ‘Maybe I've missed my calling as a children's party entertainer.'

Coming up behind her, Tim placed his hands around her waist and turned her to him. ‘I think you may well have.'

She laughed. ‘Yep.'

‘And if you did ever want to come back from America...'

‘Don't.' She held her hand up, palm towards him. ‘Don't remind me about me leaving.'

‘I know, but it's something we need to talk about. Need to acknowledge.' His voice was soft, his eyes searching hers.

She looked down. ‘I know. And to be perfectly honest, I haven't been thinking about much else. Since we got together, I've started dreading my move.'

‘Then stay.' His voice was a whisper, barely audible above the chatter from the bakery. Dropping his arms, he stepped back and wrung his hands together. ‘I'm sorry. I should never have said that.'

‘Don't apologise.' She looked up at him. She could see tears welling up inside his eyes and she swiped at her own as they began to fall. ‘I can't. I've been working for this since... forever. It's in my plan. I need to do it.'

‘Then I'll come with you. They need roofers over in America too, right?' He smiled, the light not reaching his eyes.

‘No. No way. This place is perfect for you. Penworth Bay is just so beautiful, and you have your business. The local community loves you. Everyone loves you.'

He sighed.

‘We'll work it out.' Stepping forward, she cupped her hand to his cheek. ‘We're in too deep not to make this work, long-distance or not.'

Tim nodded as she brought him close to her, their lips touching and his hand reaching the back of her neck.