The women took the drinks and stood silently for a moment in contemplation. ‘Funny how things turn out, isn’t it?’ said Christine. The other women looked at her. ‘Pippa here briefly dated Oliver in high school. He left the bay and went to live halfway around the world in America for years. Pippa moved away to Ireland, then they both came back to Seagull Bay, fell in love, got married, and now they have a baby on the way.’
Pamela dipped her head at Christine. ‘And then take you. Tom has been the bay’s most eligible bachelor,’ she put her coffee down and made quotation marks with her fingers,’ for women of a certain age for years.’
Katherine chortled and shook her head. ‘Women of a certain age.’
Pamela continued, ‘And you never once thought of him in a romantic way, yet here you are all loved up in a relationship with him.’
Christine laughed. ‘I know right. No one saw that coming—even me.’
‘And now there’s this life changing discovery for Declan and Ned,’ said Morgan. ‘The bay is a magical place, that’s for sure.’
‘Don’t forget about Pharis and Hayley courting,’ said Katherine.
Pamela laughed. ‘If Pharis heard you use the term courting he would cringe.’ Pamela pointed at Tammy. ‘And let’s not forget Ben and Tammy’s family connection. I’ve never seen Ben so happy since his great-niece came to live with him.’ The women murmured and nodded in agreement.
‘Hold-on a sec,’ said Pippa, slipping from the kitchen into the pub’s lounge. The women looked at each other puzzled. A moment later, she returned with half a bottle of whiskey. She unscrewed the lid and tipped a little in each mug except her own. ‘Let’s toast to Seagull Bay and its marvellous way of bringing people together.’
The women lifted their mugs, bringing them together with dull clunks of unity. ‘To Seagull Bay!’ they chorused.
After they’d all took a sip Morgan raised her open palms. ‘Okay. I think we’ve had enough excitement so far this morning, now can you please help me get the party food prepared?’ she finished the sentence with a pretend groan, and her friends laughed.
PAMELA AND MORGAN DROVEvery slowly to Poppy Farm in Pamela’s van. The back of the van was filled with trays of sandwiches, salad, samosas, sausage rolls and whatnot, the kind of non-fussy, easy pick food perfect for a barn shindig.
Pulling up at the outbuilding right next to the farmhouse, Pamela shut off the engine and pipped. Phil, Pharis and Hayley came out of the farmhouse, Pharis with a wedge of bread and butter in his hand, his jaw in motion as he chewed. Phil lifted his hand in greeting, his toothy smile welcoming them. Morgan and Pamela got out of the van and Phil kissed his wife, before giving Morgan a quick hug.
‘I’ve been up to look inside the barn this morning Morgan and I have to say, you’ve done a fantastic job. It looks great. I can’t wait until tomorrow now,’ said Phil with a grin. ‘What time is the PA, sound engineer, and band arriving tomorrow? I bet they’ll want to do a sound check early, a least a few hours before they are due to perform.’
‘They're all arriving at the barn at ten in the morning,’ said Morgan with a pretend grimace.
Phil nodded. ‘Okay. Either Pharis or myself will be there to sort them out. You’ll have enough on your plate with everything else.’
Morgan sighed in relief. ‘Thank you, Phil, I appreciate the help,’ she looked at Pharis and dipped her head, ‘Pharis.’
Pharis nodded. ‘No problem, Morgan.’
‘And Haley and I will take the food up and set it out on the tables just before everyone is due to arrive,’ Pamela looked over at Hayley, ‘won’t we?’
Hayley nodded enthusiastically. ‘We will. You just concentrate on making yourself even more gorgeous than you already are,’ smiled Hayley.
Morgan threw her head back and laughed. ’That will take a miracle.’
Pamela walked to the back of the van and opened the doors. ‘Okay. Let’s transfer this lot into the fridges. Morgan, if you don’t mind, can you go and make me and you a cup of tea? I’ve made a lovely home-made chunky vegetable soup which is keepingwarm in the hotpot. We’ll have a natter and a cuppa before I drive you back home.’
‘Oo, lovely. Yes, I will.’
Morgan headed into the farmhouse, leaving the others to carry the trays into the outbuilding. She hated not being able to help with the task, but there was no way she would be able to balance one of the large trays on her forearm like she did when she was helping out at The Cheese Wedge and Pickles.
Filling Pamela’s teapot, she popped the knitted tea cosy over it and placed it on the table next to the two bowls of steaming soup she’d just filled. Her stomach rumbled. The muffins Tammy had brought this morning had been delicious, but it had been all she’d eaten today. She hadn’t even thought to nibble on a sandwich because she’d been having too much fun gossiping whilst making them.
Pamela and the others came into the kitchen. Pamela sink into a chair at the table opposite Morgan. Phil came over to the table and kissed his wife. ‘We’ve already eaten so we’re going back to work.’
Pharis and Hayley raised their hands in a farewell gesture. ‘Bye Morgan. See you tomorrow.’
‘Bye Pharis love. Bye Hayley. Thanks for your help.’
Phil lifted his hand. ‘See you tomorrow, Morgan. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.’
‘I will Phil and thank you.’
