Molly nodded. ‘Shall we go up to the farm together tonight?’
‘I’ve already sorted it. Drew is coming out in the Land Rover; he’s going to grab us both and drop us home later.’
‘Perfect.’
Dixie walked Molly to the door with Darling hot on their heels. Whilst Molly was pulling on her boots, Dixie looked through the tiny window next to the door. ‘Here it comes; the storm is starting.’ The sky was dark, the snow beginning to swirl all around.
‘Do you want to come and stay with us? It will save you loading up the fire with logs,’ asked Molly, slipping her arms inside her coat.
‘I’ll stay this afternoon, but maybe I could drop Darling off with Cam whilst we go out tonight? I don’t want her to fret on her own.’
‘I’m sure he won’t mind. Thanks for the chat and the cake. Hopefully I can participate in the sherry very soon. I do love this cottage. There’s a certain sense of calm about the place.’
‘You try telling that to the new postman. Darling has nearly taken his hand off the last two times he’s put the letters through the box.’
‘God love her.’ Molly looked adoringly towards Darling who was sitting on the hallway rug looking like butter wouldn’t melt.
‘Molly, can I just say – and I don’t want to interfere as I love the bones of you both – but make sure you do talk to each other and listen to each other. There’s always a compromise. This young girl, Bree, you can help her if that’s what your heart desires – but in a way that is agreeable to you both. Family is everything.’
Molly nodded. ‘You are a wise woman,’ she replied, winding her scarf around her neck and grabbing the shoebox and bag of videos that Dixie had given her.
‘Thank God you left out the “old”.’ Dixie was chuckling away as she opened the front door and was greeted by a blast of icy wind.
‘Don’t stand here getting cold,’ continued Molly, giving Dixie a kiss on both cheeks. ‘I’ll see you in a little while.’
Even though it was a short walk to next door, Molly pulled her hat right down over her ears and dipped her chin under the warmth of her scarf.
‘Family is everything,’ murmured Molly to herself as she hurried down the path and shut the gate behind her, smiling across at the snowmen who were standing tall. After talking to Dixie, she was feeling better. Dixie was right, she needed to talk to Cam about how she was feeling and about the flashbacks. Of course, she wished the incident with Bree hadn’t happened this morning, but hopefully Sam would ring her with the news that she’d made it to the shelter and that would put her mind at rest, knowing she wasn’t out in the bitter cold all night.
Opening the shop door, she smiled at Cam, who was standing behind the counter looking happy. ‘George is bathed, warm and watching a film, his clothes are drying on the Aga, his boots by the fire, and the mill have delivered the wheat early because of the storm.’
‘It’s definitely on its way; look at the sky,’ she replied, taking off her coat and walking over to Cam. ‘I don’t want us to fight,’ she said, hoping that things would get back to normal. She placed the shoebox on the counter along with the bag and looked at Cam.
Even after all this time, she still felt that tingle as he wrapped his arms around her.
‘How’s Grandmother? And what do you have there?’
‘Stuff from Great-Uncle Ted.’
Cam’s eyes widened. ‘Have you been to the psychic night already? Martha is bloody good if she’s passed you items from the dead as well as messages.’
‘You daft bugger,’ said Molly, swiping his arm. ‘Dixie is having a clear-out. These are things that she said belong to The Old Bakehouse. Great-Uncle Ted’s diary, apparently, from when he won his very first competition, along with photographs of this place and former bakery staff. And I’m on a mission to find you the best assistant. I’ll load up that job advert now and no arguing.’ Molly was going to strike while the iron was hot. Taking a look around the shop, she noticed that most of the bread had miraculously disappeared from the shelves. ‘Where is everything?’ she asked. ‘Have you had a massive surge of customers?’ She looked towards the window but there was no one in sight apart from the three snowmen, which were slowly being camouflaged by the falling flakes.
‘Drew came over in his four-wheel-drive with Fergus. They’ve loaded up the boot and are dropping deliveries in the village, so they offered to take the bread and pastries too. Anything that is left they are going to take over to Sam at the shelter. It’s easier in their car then attempting to take the van. The track is icy as hell leading to the bridge and I don’t fancy either of us skidding into the River Heart.’
‘That’s one job less to do. He’s going to the shelter, you say?’
‘Yes, his car will cope with those treacherous conditions. He said he’s coming back to pick up you and Dixie later on too.’
‘Shall we upload that job vacancy now? I can go and get my laptop.’
Cam nodded. ‘Okay, but I’m only giving someone a job if I’m hundred per cent certain they aren’t a time-waster.’
‘You’ll just know when it’s the right person, and I’ll help you sift through the application forms. Also, Dixie has suggested a film night so we can watch these old videos together.’ Molly pointed to the last slice of chocolate bread. ‘I thought George was after that but I’m hoping that slice is saved for me. You are a baking genius; how did you make the swirls and have that thick, gorgeous layer running through the middle? It was pure genius. Definitely the best loaf you’ve ever baked,’ complimented Molly, singing Cam’s praises loud and proud. She might be a teeny bit biased but Cam was definitely the best baker in her eyes.
‘Film night sounds good, but I have to tell you, I didn’t bake that bread.’ He was staring straight at her.
Molly laughed. ‘You just need to learn to take a compliment.’ She nudged him with her elbow and turned to walk away.
