‘Mum must have discovered she was pregnant with me soon after leaving here,’ Bree added.
‘Yes, and we still have no idea who our biological father is. The letter doesn’t even give a first name,’ said Molly.
‘Do we care though?’ replied Bree. ‘I’m not sure I do. Always looking over her shoulder must have been a huge burden for Mum.’
‘For sixteen, you are a very clear-headed young woman who knows her own mind,’ Molly said, her admiration clear in her tone.
‘I had a good teacher.’ Bree picked up the photograph from the table. ‘Our mum. I do wish she was here with us, right at this moment.’
‘Me too,’ replied Molly as she stretched her arms out. Bree fell into them as tears of joy started streaming down both their faces. ‘Pleased to meet you, little sis. I always wanted a sister.’
‘Me too,’ replied Bree, her voice barely a whisper.
Chapter Nineteen
‘How do I look?’ asked Molly a couple of weeks later, looking down at herself then at the pile of maternity clothes thrown on top of the bed. Nothing fitted. Molly felt like she was going to pop at any moment and she knew she was taking a risk travelling to Edinburgh, but there was no way she was going to miss Cam competing in his very first Baker of the Year competition.
‘I’d say blooming gorgeous,’ replied Cam, who was packing Great-Uncle Ted’s toque at the top of his rucksack.
‘You have to say that,’ Molly said with a smile.
‘No, I don’t at all. Give me a twirl!’ He took her hand and turned her around then pulled her in close and kissed her softly on the lips.
‘And how are you feeling?’ she asked, looking down at the hat that had won many a competition for Ted.
‘Have to admit, the adrenalin is kicking in. I’m excited to see what the competition is and nervous to come face to face with Barney Miller, especially if he recognises the recipe.’
‘I’m in no doubt that he’s going to recognise the recipe given you’ve named your entry “Layers Treats”, but Dixie is adamant that Ted and Lilian came up with that recipe together and Dixie is sticking to her guns. She also knows Barney from old and is willing to give him what for if needed. I have to say, as much as I love Dixie, I wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of her,’ added Molly, grinning.
‘My grandmother can be so feisty,’ replied Cam, giving Molly a squeeze before picking up his bag. ‘I think I’ve got everything: change of clothes, my apron, Great-Uncle Ted’s lucky hat—’
‘And you don’t mind that we aren’t staying overnight?’ interrupted Molly, feeling a twinge of guilt that Cam had changed his plans for her.
He smiled at Molly. ‘Of course I don’t mind, and I cleared it with the organisers that I didn’t have to be there until a few hours before. Thankfully, Flynn is helping to transport us in style and so we only have to get ourselves to Starcross Manor.’
‘Isn’t it nice to have friends in high places that own planes, trains and every type of automobile? George and Bree are going to love travelling in the helicopter.’
‘They are but are you going to be okay?’
‘I’m going to be perfectly okay, as long as I don’t go into labour in the air.’
‘Don’t say that – you know that I’m worried sick about exactly that.’
‘What are the chances that I go into labour just as we are soaring through the sky?’ she teased, pretending to suddenly have a little twinge and glancing at the small overnight pack by the door, which was ready to go to the hospital with her as soon as she went into labour.
‘You are not funny.’
‘Sorry, sorry,’ she said, holding up her hands. ‘Only joking! Now come on, let’s go and win the Baker of the Year title.’
‘Where are the others? They should be here by now.’
‘George, Bree and Dixie are ready and waiting, don’t you worry about that.’
As they walked into the bakery, Molly pointed towards the window. ‘Come and take a look.’
Cam swung a glance that way and couldn’t believe his eyes. ‘Well, I never…’
The villagers had lined the edge of the snowy green, most wearing baker’s hats, waving flags and holding up banners wishing Cam all the luck in the world for today’s competition.
