Everything Dixie was saying, Molly wholeheartedly agreed with.
‘And there’s always Ben and Katie at Peony Practice to chat to about these flashbacks. Talking always helps. We don’t do enough of that – talking.’
‘You’re right, I need to explain to Cam what I felt when I first saw Bree and that it’s triggered something.’
‘You do, and as far as Bree is concerned, listen to what Cam is saying too. He works hard, you’re pregnant. And he is right, there are organisations to support Bree. You can support her from afar without bringing the extra pressures into your home. You can’t go taking on someone else full-time.’
‘I know and I hear you,’ Molly agreed.
Dixie leant forward and grabbed the old biscuit tin from the table. Prising back the lid, she gave a smile. ‘Have a look at these.’ She handed over a pile of photographs.
‘Great-Uncle Ted! He looks so young.’
‘He was young.’
Molly shuffled through the photographs.
‘That one was the very first time he won the baking championship. I can remember it was the first because my George was on tenterhooks about the whole competition, whereas Ted was taking it all in his stride. We all travelled to Edinburgh and I’d sipped a couple of cocktails at the bar before we took our seats. Little did I know George had sneaked in his hipflask … full of whisky, it was.’ Dixie gave a chuckle. ‘By the time Ted had baked his bread my George was a little worse for wear. I know because he cut Ted’s head off the photograph. That was the only one they took. Ted was not pleased.’
Molly laughed as she found the photo showing Ted standing proudly, his trophy held in one hand, in the other his baked loaf. On the front of his apron was a pinned rosette and the beam on his face said it all and like Dixie had just said, the rest of his head was cut off.
‘It’s that time of year. The invitations to take part in the competition will soon be posted out. Maybe Cam’s waiting and wondering whether he will be one of the contestants. Every year Ted got a little on edge waiting to see if he’d been selected.’
‘Cam’s been invited to bake,’ shared Molly.
Dixie gave a shriek, causing Darling to look over and give a tiny woof. ‘That is bloody brilliant! And it couldn’t happen to a more well-deserving person, even though I may be a tiny bit biased.’ Dixie pinched her thumb and forefinger together. ‘I can’t believe he didn’t tell me. How long have you known?’
Instantly, Molly felt guilty. Cam had told her not to tell Dixie and here she was blurting it out when it wasn’t even her news to share. The second the words had left her mouth she wished she could take them back but it was too late now. ‘A few days, but Dixie, you can’t tell him you know.’
But Dixie wasn’t listening. ‘I just knew it. I knew he was good enough to be selected. You know what this means don’t you? It means Cam’s already considered one of the top elite bakers in Scotland. He must be overjoyed.’ Dixie brought her hands to her chest. ‘I’m bursting with pride. I wonder who they sent to the shop to taste the goods. Have there been any strangers in recently?’
‘Dixie, the shop is full of tourists most days.’
‘Oh yes, silly me, I just wondered if anyone stood out more than normal.’
‘Come to think about it…’
Molly remembered a day in late September when she had been updating the blackboard outside the shop. A woman had stepped out of a small convertible sports car while looking at a piece of paper, which she promptly slid inside her bag as she walked into the shop. Her auburn hair fell below her shoulders, her chiselled cheekbones were streaked with blusher and Molly couldn’t help but think she didn’t look like your typical tourist. She was very businesslike in her in her pinstriped suit and heels. She oozed Baker of the Year judge all over but she wasn’t very friendly.
Molly also remembered an elderly gentleman who came into the shop at the same time. He was looking over all the jams and chutneys and sampled the freshly baked produce that was cut up for tasting on the top of the counter. He was in his mid-sixties, dressed in a flat cap, waterproof trousers and green wellington boots. It may have been either of them. ‘I’m just not sure,’ said Molly, reminiscing aloud to Dixie.
Dixie was still smiling and Molly could see how chuffed to bits she was. She knew that at any second she was going to have to burst Dixie’s bubble and tell her that Cam wasn’t sharing her enthusiasm. But she couldn’t get a word in edgeways as Dixie carried on chattering away. ‘In all the time Ted was a baker, we never worked out who they sent into the shop because it wasn’t any of the three judges that took part on the day; Ted would have recognised them. But it doesn’t matter, because whoever it was thinks Cam’s baking is top-notch.’ Dixie clapped her hands together. ‘You know what this means, don’t you? A day out to Edinburgh. Is the competition still held at Crossley Hall Manor? Oh my, the set-up was spectacular, free drinks and a buffet for the family. What is the special element this year?’
‘Chocolate,’ answered Molly as Dixie continued.
‘The studio is transformed into mini kitchens and the families are seated in the VIP area at the front. We were greeted with a glass of champagne, a choir singing Christmas carols and the most humongous Christmas tree that I’d ever set eyes on. What’s the date? We need to plan, organise travel—’ Dixie stopped mid-sentence noticing that Molly wasn’t mirroring her enthusiasm.
Molly had to admit she hadn’t thought that far in advance. That was down to Cam’s current mood, because at the moment he had no intention of taking part. She was going to have to break this news to Dixie.
‘I’m not trying to put a dampener on it all but, Dixie, I mean it when I say you can’t say anything to Cam about this because…’ She sighed. ‘I shouldn’t have told you.’
‘Why not?’ Dixie was looking perplexed.
‘I don’t want to burst your bubble but Cam has decided not to take part.’
For a second, the smile slid from Dixie’s face, then she chuckled. ‘You daft thing,’ she said, leaning across and swiping her arm. ‘You had me there for a moment.’
Molly bit her lip. ‘Honestly, Dixie, the invite is on the pinboard in the kitchen. Lately he’s been in a funny mood and I can’t put my finger on why. I’m not sure whether he thinks he’s not good enough. Cam has big shoes to fill and maybe he’s worried he won’t do Ted proud. Or maybe it’s the fact he’s so busy with the shop . . . or the fact that I’m pregnant.’
