Cam took Molly’s tea from her hand and placed it on the bedside cabinet. He then stretched his arms out and Molly snuggled in close and looked up at him. ‘There’s just one thing I can’t get out of my head. I remember my biological mother saying “loon moon” as clear as day. Is it something you’ve ever heard before?’
Cam shook his head. ‘Never heard it before in my life.’
‘And that’s what I mean. It means something. I’m sure of it.’
‘Are you going to talk to Bree about it?’
Molly shook her head. ‘Not yet, I want to see if there’s anything in the suitcase that proves Lilian is my mother, and even if I do find proof, what am I going to say? I have to remember she’s only young.’
‘She may be young but that chocolate she made was a clear winner, I’m certain of it. I’ve saved a slab for my grandmother to sample. I need her opinion on it.’
‘Good idea, because no doubt Dixie would have sampled all of Ted’s practise bakes for the competition. Her opinion will be worth its weight in gold.’
‘Just going back to the previous conversation,’ said Cam, ‘what if the suitcase doesn’t throw up any further answers?’
‘I’ll have to cross that bridge when I come to it. Talking of bridges … has the track been cleared? We need to get to the hospital for your appointment in a few days.’
‘Funnily enough I received a message from Drew saying he and Fergus are going to get the snow ploughs out tomorrow and attempt to clear the track. They were asking for volunteers. I was thinking I’d bake a little stock for the shop tomorrow morning, then pop in and see Grandmother with the chocolate slab, then, if you’re able to mind the shop, I could help the lads to clear the track.’
‘Of course! We also have another helper tomorrow. Did you see how Bree thrived sharing the chocolate ideas? We could maybe ask her if she would like to work in the bakery for a couple of hours, and pay her?’ Molly looked hopefully up at Cam.
‘Okay, we can ask. And I have to say I’m intrigued to discover more about Lilian Allen because if she could bake like that…’
Molly gave him a little squeeze. ‘I’ll think she’ll jump at the chance. And it’s not as though she’s going to be tired – she went to bed at eight-thirty p.m.’ Molly gave a little chuckle. ‘I think it’s the novelty of sleeping in a huge, soft bed.’
As Cam leant across and switched off the bedside light, Molly snuggled down under the duvet.
It wasn’t just Cam who was intrigued to discover more about Lilian Allen. Who exactly had she been and was it possible she was Molly’s birth mother?
Chapter Fourteen
Molly heard muffled laughter from the hallway as she sat up in bed and stretched. The space next to her lay empty as she took a glance at the clock and she was amazed to see it was a little before nine a.m. She couldn’t believe she’d slept in this long! Pulling Cam’s faithful sloppy sweater over her head she padded downstairs and was greeted by the aroma of sizzling sausages. The table was set and as Cam stood at the cooker preparing breakfast, Molly couldn’t help thinking how utterly gorgeous he was. She slipped her arms around his waist.
Cam glanced over his shoulder as he stirred a pan on top of the Aga. ‘Here she is. Good morning, sleepy head!’
‘I can’t believe I’ve slept this long, but if it means waking up to a full Scottish breakfast then I might just attempt more lie-ins.’
‘Good luck with that, because very soon I think someone will be having different ideas. How are you feeling this morning?’
‘Big,’ replied Molly with a smile. ‘It’s getting to the point where I’m finding it difficult to put on my socks.’ She looked down. ‘In fact, I can’t even see my feet.’
Cam laughed. ‘That’s all about to change,’ he said, kissing the top of her head. ‘I’ve baked numerous loaves and pastries this morning just in case any villagers want to brave the freezing temperatures but it’s unlikely the shop is going to be busy.’
‘Where is everyone? It seems very quiet.’ She looked over her shoulder towards the hallway.
‘George has gone to have breakfast with Dixie, and Bree is in her element minding the shop so I thought I’d cook you up your favourite and we could eat together.’
‘You old romantic, you. I really could get used to this.’
‘You better believe it. There’s tea in the pot on the table so go and take a seat and I’ll dish up. Oh, but first take a look at the email opened up on the laptop.’ He gestured towards the small table in front of the log fire.
Molly sat down on the armchair and balanced the laptop on her knee. ‘Oh wow! Decision made.’ She was thrilled to see the confirmation from the baking competition that Cam would be competing for the title of Baker of the Year.
‘I’ll book the train tickets this evening, but I’ve hung fire on booking a hotel because I’m not sure what you want to do, as we are going to be quite close to the due date. Do you want to travel there and back in one day? Will that be easier? You need to make a decision on what’s best for you and George.’
‘I’ll have a think. Have you broken the news to Dixie that you are definitely taking part?’
‘I thought I would break the news in person when I take her the chocolate slab after breakfast.’
