She gives a shrug. ‘The singles club members fill in scores online forallthe events in the village.’
I’m so appalled I’m shrieking. ‘Scores?Forwhat?’
Nell’s got a mischievous glint in her eye. ‘For lots of things, but mostly it’s a measure of enjoyment. Yours are among the best ratings we’ve ever had.’
It’s a horrible thought even now it’s over. ‘If I’d known I was being marked I’d never have dared do them. I can’t believe people liked them either. I assumed word of mouth would kill them off.’
Nell’s stealing one of Jen’s hearts, pushing the crumbs into her mouth. ‘Completely the opposite. Demand was through the roof before, but since the video went live it’s exponential.’
Jen runs her finger over her icing spoon and gives it a lick. ‘That’sverysweet news for our fundraising – so long as no one minds carrying on?’
I smile at the expectantly raised eyebrow she turns on me. ‘If the demand is there, why not? I’m up for maxing it out.’
Nell’s finishing her third iced heart. ‘You wanted to take over the bookings, Cressy. If we’re going to do this and go for broke, I’m happy to carry on with those while you concentrate on the baking?’
It’s not in my nature to delegate or give up control, but this time it sounds like a lifesaver. ‘So long as you give me time to prep between shows, that’s a great idea, thanks, Nell. But your lives are already crammed. Are you sure you can carry on?’
Nell smiles. ‘If you want help always ask a busy person.’
I’m thinking of Sophie in particular. ‘But there can’t be much time left in the day with a multinational company and four children.’
Nell looks serious as she considers. ‘Nate’s an angel, he’s very hands on, and Sophie’s good at delegating.’ Then her face breaks into a grin. ‘She wouldn’t miss a minute after she gave Clemmie her word. Which brings me to Saturday…’
‘Yes?’ I’m standing behind Joanie and Madge, watching as they ice each individual segment of their flower-shaped biscuits. Then a shadowy figure steals into my sightline and when I look up and see who it is I jump so much I nudge Jen’s elbow. ‘Ross! Creeping up on people! Now I’ve made Jen drop her biscuit.’
Madge is beaming at me. ‘We knew he’d be here. He always comes when you do.’
Nell gives a cough and carries straight on. ‘We have anextra-specialrequest for Saturday – a customer with a fabulously large kitchen and lovely outdoor terrace would like a meringue evening for twelve!’
‘Twelve?’ The shock makes me repeat the wordandstate the obvious. ‘That’s twice as many as six.’
‘Or, another way of looking at it, no awkward silences and double the profit.’ Nell’s looking jubilant. ‘Sophie and I will both be there, and Blake’s free to help out again too. He’s getting the idea now he’s done it a few times.’
Not that I’m looking at Ross. But I still catch his face falling as he hears that.
‘Fabulous!’ I’d have put up more resistance, but I really hadn’t meant to let Ross know he’d been replaced in such a public way, so I’m trying to rush this on. ‘In that case I’ll text you my egg order later.’
Ever get the feeling you can’t win? He hated helping, but he’s not keen on someone else stepping in. But at the same time when I see that hurt expression in his eyes, it twists my heart in a really peculiar way.
Nell laughs. ‘At this rate we’re going to need more hens.’
I’m thinking aloud. ‘And I’ll get Helen to run up more aprons too.’
Jen pushes back her chair. ‘And while you’re thinking big, I’ll go and get that recipe envelope.’ When she comes back a few minutes later she’s hugging a folder to her chest. ‘Here you go.’
I have to put her right. ‘That’s not an envelope, it’s a large expanding box file.’
She stares at the ceiling. ‘Folder, file, whatever. Once people got wind we were collecting favourite recipes, I couldn’t stop them. They came from all over the village.’
Even though there’s more than we could ever use I’m touched at how many people have taken the trouble to look them out. ‘That’s brilliant. I’ll look through and make a list so people can look forward to their choice coming up.’
I don’t like to mention it, but I’ll be gone before the people at the table have had their turn, without throwing staff and friends into the mix too. I’m sure Jen will find someone I can hand my head-baker’s apron on to when the time comes. But there’s another twang in my chest when I think in a few weeks’ time I won’t see any of the gang again.
Jen laughs as she hands the file over. ‘How about we let you off the washing up for today?’
Nell gives a chortle. ‘With the number of events we’ve got coming up, I’d say that’s the least you can do.’
Which leaves me thinking: how the hell did I let myself get talked into something I had no intention of doing? It’s not the first time. And something tells me, it won’t be the last.
