‘Yes. Do you need any help?’
Alice looked over her shoulder in the direction of the back of the deli where the speakeasy chowder evening and meeting for the festival would be taking place. ‘I think we’re good. We set most of it up last night.’
‘Shout if you need anything.’
‘Will do. Take a pew. I’ll bring it over in a minute.’
Cally sat down by the door and, as she settled herself in, inhaled the familiar scents: coffee, baking, and Lovely things. A few minutes later, Alice appeared, balancing a steaming mug of coffee and a plate with a large slice of carrot cake.
'Here you go,' Alice said, setting the items down in front of Cally. 'Thought you might fancy a bit of cake. You look like you could use a pick-me-up. On the house.'
'Thanks, Alice. You're a star.'
Alice pulled out the chair opposite and sat down, her own mug of coffee in hand. 'I’ll join you for a sec. I’ve been on my feet all day. So, how are the festival preparations going on your end? Ready for Nina's big speakeasy debut?'
‘She’s been running around like a headless chicken, trying to get everything perfect. Actually not a headless chicken, an organised chicken. You know what she’s like.’
Alice chuckled. 'I can imagine. It's exciting, isn't it? Her first proper event in that gorgeous house of hers.’
'I know. I have to say I am jealous, ha! It's like something out of a film. All those big windows looking out over the water. It's going to be quite the backdrop for the speakeasy.'
'I heard the tickets to her place went in minutes.’
Cally's eyebrows rose. 'Really? That's brilliant.’
'So, what's your role in it?' Alice asked, taking a sip of her coffee.
'Bit of everything, really. I'm helping with serving, of course. But I'm also on decoration duty. She’s got everything planned. It’s going to sparkle, that’s for sure.'
Alice's eyes widened. 'Blimey. That sounds like quite the undertaking.’
'Yup, there are lots of fairy lights and more vintage glassware than I knew existed in all of Lovely.’ Cally took a bite of her carrot cake. ‘How are things shaping up here? I bet you're run off your feet.'
Alice slumped in her chair. 'You have no idea. Between the regular customers, the festival prep, and Colin's grand plans, I'm about ready to keel over. I love it, though. The Chowder Festival is in my blood.'
'Oh goodness, what's Colin up to now?' Cally asked.
Alice rolled her eyes. 'He's got it in his head that Lovely Bay needs to be the most festive-looking town in all of Britain. I swear, if he puts up any more bunting, we'll be visible from space.'
Cally chuckled. 'Yeah, I spoke to him on the river.'
'I think he's trying to break some sort of world record. Most bunting per capita or something ridiculous. I half expect to wake up one morning and find he's bunting-ed the entire coastline.'
'Bunting-ed?' Cally repeated, grinning. 'Is that even a word?'
Alice waved her hand. 'It is now. When it comes to Colin's obsessions, we need to invent new words just to keep up.'
Cally laughed. It was all part of why she adored Lovely: the funny little traditions and the sometimes quite odd characters. She’d fallen in love with them more or less from day one.
‘I'm going to be absolutely cream-crackered by the end of it. I might need a holiday just to recover from the Chowder Festival.' Alice rolled her eyes.
'I know what you mean. It's exciting, but it's a lot of work. And it's not like we can just close up shop for a week to focus on it. We've still got our regular jobs to do. Birdie is beside herself.'
'Don't get me wrong, I love the festival. It's brilliant for the town, brings in loads of visitors, and it's a right laugh. Butsometimes, I think we might be biting off more than we can chew. I say that every year, though and every year is better than the last.'
‘It's what makes this place special. To be fair, I love it.'
Alice nodded. ‘When it all comes together and we see everyone enjoying themselves, it'll be worth it. I just might need someone to prop me up by the end of it all.'
