Stepping inside, I joined the queue of customers, using the time to admire Ruby’s creations. The display counter was a sight to behold, and my eyes delighted at the fudgy Bundt cake, covered in a rich ganache. While my mouth drooled over the lemon meringue cheesecake with its cracker crust, bright yellow curd and swathe of toasted egg whites, my nose happily overdosed on the aromas of cinnamon, mocha, nutmeg, and ginger. My senses were in dessert heaven.
Ruby had excelled on the Christmas theme thanks to the array of candy cane, Grinch, and polar bear cupcakes. Her pistachio and raspberry Yule log looked divine and her stollen with chocolate chips and marzipan came as no surprise. It had always been a Settledown festive favourite. Ruby’s masterpiece, however, had to be the fabulous Christmas tree cake. Green buttercream had been piped to give the illusion of branches, and it was covered in a range of sprinkles that represented colourful baubles. A light layer of powdered sugar created a snow effect. The whole ensemble was ginormous and a huge feat of engineering.
‘Hot chocolate with all the trimmings, please,’ I said as I, at last, got to the front of the line.
‘Coming right up.’ Wearing a Santa hat, an apron to protect her clothing from potential spills, and a smile, Natalie set about making my order.
With a mountain of marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate shavings, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. It was like a drink and a dessert all rolled into one. ‘How’s Ruby?’ I asked.
‘Still pretending she’s fine.’ Natalie rolled her eyes. ‘Throwing herself into work whether she’s ready to or not.’ She nodded to the Christmas tree cake. ‘My case in point. Goodness knows what we’re supposed to do with it.’
I chuckled.
‘Don’t repeat that,’ Natalie said. ‘Whatever gets her through this is fine with me.’
I reached into my bag and pulled out the gift I’d made. ‘Hopefully this will cheer her up.’
Admiring the wrapping paper with its baby bootie print and mint green bow, a grateful smile spread across Natalie’s face. ‘Please tell me it’s one of your creations?’
‘A blanket for the baby,’ I said. ‘She can open it now or if she prefers, save it for after the birth.’
‘I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. And so will Ruby.’ Natalie lowered her voice and leaned towards me. ‘As you can imagine, not everyone around here has been quite so generous of spirit.’
My heart went out to her and her daughter. ‘They’ll soon find someone else to talk about.’ I dug into my bag again for my purse.
‘You can put that away,’ Natalie said, her expression stern.
About to argue, I could see I’d be fighting a losing battle. ‘Thank you,’ I said, doing as I was told.
A group of people, trussed up in woolly hats, thick coats and walking boots made their entrance. ‘I’ll leave you to it,’ I said. Picking up my drink, I scanned the room for a table and spotting one in the window, I headed over.
Taking off my coat, I put it on a chair and settled into the seat opposite. I scooped up a mound of marshmallows and spooned them into my mouth. Watching Natalie give the newcomers a friendly welcome, I wondered how she managed to hide all the worry she had running through her head. Despite her daughter’s pretence, Ruby had definitely taken her break-up with Liam hard, and as her mother, Natalie’s helplessness was understandable. I sighed, unable to properly imagine what either woman was going through. Ruby and Liam had seemed besotted with each other. The perfect couple, in fact. Ruby’s situation certainly put mine into perspective.
I considered my call with Gideon and, knowing he couldn’t in any way be compared to Ruby’s scoundrel of an ex, wondered if I’d been too harsh. Refusing to let him get a word in, I’d outlined my expectations with no room for manoeuvre on his part. Not that that had stopped him trying to interject.
‘But it’s a busy time of year… But it’s all right for you… How do you know I’m not doing this for us…?’
I, however, was done with excuses and had insisted work or no work, our relationship from that point forward had to come first; he couldn’t have it both ways.
I ate a spoonful of cream and stirred what was left until it disappeared into my hot chocolate. Glad that Gideon and I were finally on the same page, I could concentrate on Christmas. Reaching into my bag for a pen, I knew to have any chance at creating the best celebrations ever, I needed to get cracking.
I smiled at the thought of Gran tutting over how slack I’d been on the preparation front. Unlike me who preferred to pick up everything I needed via a single big food shop, she was one of those women who made her own Christmas cakes and puddings, starting in September. Gifts would be bought and wrapped by the time Guy Fawkes night came around, and decorations would be up come December1st. Gran insisted the weeks running up to Christmas Day were to be enjoyed, not spent running around like a headless chicken. Picturing myself forced to charge up and down the supermarket aisles battling for the last box of stuffing, I appreciated that sentiment.Thank goodness for home delivery.
Grabbing a napkin, I spread it out, using it to list all the people I wanted to buy gifts for.Gideon, of course. Erin and Joyce.I paused and chewing on my pen lid wondered if, as my soon-to-be flatmate, I should include Alex.
‘Mind if I join you?’
I looked up and as if I’d magically summoned him, there he was. My face broke into a grin. ‘Alex. I was just thinking about you.’
Alex gave me a naughty smile. ‘Pleased to hear it.’
Chuckling, I reached over and moved my coat out of the way. ‘You wish.’
Placing his coffee down, Alex took the proffered seat. ‘I can give you some paper, if you’d like?’ He took his sketchpad from his jacket pocket.
‘No need. I’m only making notes for Christmas which I’ll, no doubt, redo when I get home.’
‘A serial list maker, eh?’
