‘All these people have come out just for me?’ Everyone he knew was standing on that green.
‘Of course they have. They’re your friends,’ replied Molly, linking her arm through his. ‘They’re here to wave you off just like the community did each time your Great-Uncle Ted went off to compete. Grab your coat.’ Molly opened the bakery door wide as Cam pulled on his coat and lifted up the overnight bag. As soon as he stepped outside loud cheers erupted. Despite the cold it looked like the whole village had come out to celebrate.
‘Honestly, I feel like an international superstar. This is amazing.’ Cam waved and smiled at his friends, then he spotted George running towards him followed by Dixie and Bree. He scooped him up in his arms. ‘What do you think of all this?’ asked Cam, placing George back on the ground.
‘It’s going to be so much fun.’
‘You make the most of it, little fellow, as the school will be reopened on Monday,’ said Dixie.
‘And how’s your new lodger?’ asked Molly, smiling at Dixie then Bree.
‘Not bad,’ replied Dixie with a glint in her eye. ‘I need to teach her how to make a decent cup of tea but apart from that she’ll do.’ Dixie gave Bree a cheeky wink as the younger woman raised her hands in mock protest. ‘Are we heading over to Starcross Manor now?’ Dixie asked.
‘There’s no need. Look!’ Molly pointed up into the sky.
‘Woah! Look at those!’ exclaimed George, his hands cupping his eyes as he tilted his head up to the sky.
Two navy-coloured helicopters whirled above them with Flynn Carter’s initials in bold gold lettering on the side of each. The noise was getting louder and the villagers began to move to the pavement opposite the green.
‘Are they actually going to land on the green?’ asked George, still looking up at the sky.
‘What it must be like to be a multimillionaire…’ murmured Cam.
‘And a gorgeous friend to boot,’ added Molly.
They watched as the two helicopters landed, one at each end of the green, and then Cam waved to the crowd and took hold of Molly’s hand. The villagers shouted their good luck messages and Cam waved above his head once last time. Dixie and Bree held on to an excited George’s hand as he eagerly pulled them towards the helicopters.
Molly turned back around. ‘Bree, George, you’re coming with me. Dixie, you ride with Cam.’
‘Are you sure?’ asked Dixie.
Molly nodded. ‘Of course you need to arrive with your grandson. If you hadn’t encouraged him to follow in Ted’s footsteps then we wouldn’t be here. Let’s go and make Great-Uncle Ted and Lilian proud. We’ll see you when we land,’ she said, kissing Cam’s cheek.
They made their way towards one of the helicopters and were helped inside by the pilot. Once they were all seated and strapped in, the pilot shut the door and passed them each a pair of headphones. ‘Here, put these on.’
Molly could see the excitement written all over George and Bree’s faces as they looked out at the crowd of villagers, who were still frantically waving from the pavements.
‘This is something else, I actually feel like royalty!’ exclaimed Bree. ‘Never in my life did I think I was ever going to ride in a helicopter. It’s out of this world.’ She turned towards Molly. ‘Thank you … and I don’t mean just for this. Thank you for my job and a home with Dixie.’
‘You don’t need to thank me; that’s what families do and Cam is lucky to have such a talented apprentice. I’m not sure who is teaching who more.’ Molly gave Bree a warm smile.
‘I’m just a little sad Mum never got to see us together . . . and Stan would never have believed me if I told him I was riding in a helicopter. He had a good send-off yesterday.’
‘He absolutely did,’ replied Molly, thinking back to Stan’s funeral. She had never seen the pews so full in the church with all his friends from the shelter there to say goodbye to their trusted friend. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place when Sam got up to say a few words and another resident played Stan’s favourite tune on the church organ. He was going to be sorely missed.
Just at that moment the pilot turned towards them. ‘Are you ready?’
George squealed with excitement.
‘I think that’s a yes,’ replied Molly, squeezing George’s hand.
Within seconds, the helicopter began to slowly rise as the blades spun round and the machine lifted effortlessly off the ground. They waved to the villagers who were flapping their flags in the air, and watched as they began to get smaller and smaller. Up in the blue sky above Heartcross Mountain, the view stretched for miles. Molly smiled, noticing that Bree had taken George’s hand and was pointing out all the different landmarks. They never took their eyes from the window.
Molly couldn’t wait for them all to arrive.
Before long the helicopter began to descend into the grounds of Crossley Hall Manor, home to the elite baking competition for many years. Molly was already in awe of the place, having seen magnificent images of it online.
‘Just look at this place. It’s grander than Heartcross Castle,’ said Bree admiringly.
