‘Barney Miller, here, and Ted both competed here for Baker of the Year with the same recipe, each claiming that it was their original recipe. It came to fisticuffs and they were both disqualified for cheating. Their names appeared all over the press as a certain someone’ – she looked pointedly at Barney – ‘sold their story to the papers and magazines trying to discredit Ted and put him out of business.’
‘And I am sorry for that,’ replied Barney, sounding genuine.
‘How is it even possible that you both came up with the same recipe?’ asked Bree.
Barney checked his watch. ‘I really do need to be back on stage.’
‘Not before you’ve explained, because I really want to hear this explanation,’ demanded Dixie.
Barney turned back towards Bree. ‘We came up with the same recipe – Layers Treats – because of Lilian. That argument you asked about – that’s what we were arguing about. I arrived home from the competition and was fuming about the whole situation and the fact I’d been disqualified because Ted had baked a similar recipe and called it by the same name. Lilian never said a word. It was only weeks later she came clean and told me that she used to work for Ted at The Old Bakehouse and that he’d trained her. When she began working for me, she had never shared that information – she’d made up a story about moving from Glasgow, and never even mentioned Heartcross – so we argued and she left.’
‘But why would Mum lie?’
‘I later learned she was frightened about an old boyfriend tracking her down and so she’d made up the story to cover her tracks.’
‘Was that my father?’
Barney nodded. ‘Lilian started all over again when she got to my bakery. She fabricated a story of past employment and I didn’t check it out properly. It was only six months after taking the job that she told me she was pregnant with you. I supported her the best I could. Lilian was a hard worker and I could see that having a youngster around the place kept me on my toes. I quite enjoyed it.’
‘So why the argument? Why did we never see you again?’
‘Because Lilian never told me that she and Ted had come up with the original idea together when I asked her if I could use it for the baking competition and she said yes. I thought I was going forward with a completely unique recipe and I couldn’t believe it when Ted baked a similar chocolate slab. When Lilian came clean, we rowed, but I didn’t expect her to up and leave. I thought she would turn up again for work on the Monday after she’d cooled off, but she didn’t. I was incredibly saddened that I didn’t see her again … or you.’ He paused. ‘I really am sorry, Dixie. If I had known I would never have used the recipe.’
Dixie nodded her appreciation. ‘Past is past. You are lucky I am a woman of forgiveness.’
‘Much appreciated,’ he replied.
‘And Cam?’ she asked.
‘Cam will do his Great-Uncle Ted proud and the Layers Treats recipe deserves to live on.’ Barney looked at Bree. ‘I hope we can catch up after the competition?’
‘I’d like that,’ she replied.
‘Dixie, would it be possible to talk later?’ He touched her arm, she nodded and then Barney walked back through the door onto the stage.
‘Well, I never,’ said Dixie. ‘Wait until Cam and Molly hear all this.’
‘What the hell are you doing? Come on, you’re missing so much. Cam is hilarious on this stage,’ Molly shouted up the hallway towards Bree and Dixie, who immediately hurried back towards the auditorium. ‘Where have you both been?’
‘We’ll explain later,’ replied Dixie, taking her seat.
The competition was drawing to an end. Molly could hardly believe it. It had flown by so fast and the bakers had provided great entertainment.
As soon as the gong sounded all three bakers threw their hats up into the air to the sound of rapturous applause. Cam looked pleased as he clenched his fists and grinned at Molly. The Layers Treats chocolate slab had been baked to perfection, with a lot of love and a sprinkle of magic from Heartcross and The Old Bakehouse.
Cam waited nervously as he presented his creation to the judges, praying he’d done enough to make Great-Uncle Ted proud.
The judges took thirty minutes to make their decision and all three bakers who’d been waiting backstage were then brought back out onto the stage. The atmosphere was tense as William handed the microphone to Barney, who made his way to the centre of the stage.
‘It is a great honour to announce this year’s Baker of the Year,’ he said as the room fell silent. ‘In a unanimous decision, the judges have decided the winner of Scottish Baker of the Year is … Cameron Bird with his creation Layers Treats.’
Molly was up on her feet and cheering at the top of her voice as soon as Barney said Cam’s name. She glanced towards Dixie whose eyes were streaming with proud tears. ‘He did it! Baker of the Year!’ She clapped furiously as Cam walked over to Barney and shook his hand, the two of them sharing a few whispered words. Cam then proudly took the trophy and thrust it up in the air.
Cheers and applause surrounded him as George ran onto the stage and straight to Cam, who quickly gave the trophy to William as he scooped his son into his arms and placed his baker’s hat on George’s head. The hat promptly slid down over his eyes, making the audience laugh.
At that very second there was a loud ‘pop’ and Molly clasped her stomach as she looked down at the stream of water that was soaking through her tights. Her waters had broken.
‘Dixie … Dixie…’
