Her thoughts suddenly turned to Martha. She had predicted Molly’s unborn child was going to be a girl and her name would begin with “L”. Surely that was just another coincidence?
Chapter Twelve
With her thoughts tumbling all over each other, Molly slowly walked back to The Old Bakehouse mulling over the information the vicar had shared with her. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do with it yet but decided that before she did anything she was going to go back to her old house and finally look through the old suitcase of documents her parents had left her, to see whether it provided any further clues.
Relieved to be finally back in the warmth, she pushed open the bakery door and was met by George running his toy car up and down the counter.
‘What can I get you today?’ he said in a posh voice, making Molly laugh.
‘What do you recommend?’ she asked, peeling the coat from her back.
George shrugged. ‘Everything!’ he said with a grin. ‘I’m playing shopkeeper.’
‘And playing it very well,’ replied Molly, placing her cold hands on his cheeks and making him squeal. ‘Where’s Daddy?’
George pointed to the bakery kitchen then jumped off the stool and slipped his hand into Molly’s as they walked into the hallway. While she took off her boots George ran off towards the living room.
‘I’m home,’ Molly shouted, heading towards the bakery kitchen and popping her head around the door. ‘How’s business been?’ she asked.
Cam and Bree were on either side of the baking table looking over a large piece of paper. Bree, who was now clean, fresh and dressed in Molly’s old tracksuit, had an apron tied around her waist and a black felt-tip in her hand.
Molly did a double-take. ‘You remind me of me stood there.’ She smiled.
‘I’ve already said that,’ said Cam, tapping the paper then turning back towards Bree. ‘Go on, illustrate how this is meant to work, because I’m not sure I understand it yet.’
Molly stepped up to the table. ‘What are you pair up to? You look as thick as thieves.’
‘Plotting and experimenting,’ replied Cam. ‘Bree is talking me through her mother’s magical recipe – chocolate slabs with secret layers.’
‘They sound fabulous,’ exclaimed Molly. ‘Chocolate slabs with secret layers,’ she repeated.
‘Layers Treats,’ confirmed Bree. ‘My mum always had aspirations of her chocolate slabs becoming a national phenomenon, with her very own recipes being sold across the whole of Scotland.’
‘And as it’s Bree’s mum’s birthday, we thought we’d give it ago,’ added Cam. ‘This session may provide a little inspiration for my entry for the competition.’
‘And…’ George appeared in the doorway with a cheeky grin on his face, ‘I’m going to be chief judge.’ George had been upstairs and pulled out one of Cam’s white shirts from the wardrobe. He’d put a waistcoat over the top and attempted to tie a bow tie around his neck.
‘And don’t you look the part.’ Molly straightened his bow tie. ‘I’m in need of a hot drink, then do you mind if I join you in the kitchen?’ she asked. ‘I would love to watch you pair bake.’
‘The more the merrier. If this slab of chocolate is anything like the bread Bree made, we are definitely on to a winner. I’ve got a feeling no one will have anything like this.’
Molly noted the enthusiasm in Cam’s voice. She wandered into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. As she stood by the sink filling the kettle, Cam walked in. ‘Thank you,’ said Molly.
‘What for?’ asked Cam.
‘Keeping Bree occupied, especially with today being her mum’s birthday.’
‘She has some really good ideas, and you were right … the best thing is to keep focused and keep going. The bakery has been quiet today so why not use this time to perfect my entry for the baking competition? I’ve decided I am definitely going to enter.’
Immediately, Molly stood on tiptoe and kissed him hard on his lips. ‘Good decision!’
‘If I get kisses like that maybe I should have made that decision a while ago . . . but never mind me, where have you been? You seem a little preoccupied, like you have something on your mind.’
‘I have, but not now. It’ll keep. Let’s talk later.’
‘Is it anything I should be worried about?’
Molly shook her head. ‘No, but I need to go back to the old house as soon as possible.’
