‘It’s these stupid sandals, though, isn’t it? I just wanted a little bit more height today.’ She blushed. ‘You know, with the local news cameras coming to film the cake-off. But darn it! My heel got stuck in the mud and now look at me.’ She gestured at herself and Eve realized that she was missing a shoe. She turned around and saw it held fast in the mud by its heel. ‘I wouldn’t have cared, but last year I could only just see over the counter and it was a bit of a disadvantage.’
Eve smiled. She also suspected that Mary was taking extra care with her appearance because of Edward. And why shouldn’t she?
‘We’d better get you to the first aid tent.’
Mary nodded and Eve helped her to stand, then held out her sandal so she could slide her foot into it. When they reached the small tent, they were welcomed by a balding first-aider wearing a name tag that read Gary.
‘Hi, Mary, what have you done?’ he asked as he helped Mary to a chair.
‘Oh I’m sure it’s nothing. Just a sprain.’ Mary tutted at herself. ‘Eve, while Gary has a look at my hand, why don’t you go to the cake-off tent and let them know I can’t take part.’
‘But you always take part in the cake-off,’ said Gary as he examined her wrist.
‘I know.’ Mary chewed her lip. ‘If only I had a replacement. A wingwoman.’
Eve watched her aunt carefully. Was there something going on here?
‘I don’t suppose …’ Mary raised her eyes to meet her niece’s.
‘Oh no! I can’t. I just couldn’t do that. I can barely make a lemon drizzle cake.’
‘But that would be perfect, Eve! It doesn’t matter if you don’t win. It’s just that it adds to the competition and excitement for everyone.’
Eve’s pulse sped up and she felt perspiration rise on her top lip. She thought of all that her aunt had done for her since her arrival in Conwenna, of how she’d dropped everything to help her, of how she’d been so hurt in the past when Eve had been dismissive of her. She owed Mary, she really did.
‘So I just have to make a cake?’
‘Yes, dear.’
Gary kept his head down. It seemed to be taking him a long time to check Mary’s wrist.
‘Okay then. I’ll do it.’
‘Thank you, sweetheart.’
‘I’ll go and let them know.’
Eve headed out of the first aid tent and crossed the field. She had a feeling that she’d been set up, whether it had been planned or not. But what else could she do? Mary had been good to her, and she was family, and Eve knew now how important that was. When family needed you, you stepped up.
Inside the cake-off tent, she approached a group of women who were sitting around a table drinking from steaming polystyrene cups.
‘Um … excuse me. I’m Mary Carpenter’s niece. She’s had a fall and won’t be able to take part. So … if it’s okay, I’ll take her place.’
‘Yes, of course,’ one of the women replied. She had to be at least seventy, but her hair was the fabulous vibrant red of a fire engine. ‘Fill this in and we’ll get you set up.’ She handed Eve a clipboard then returned to her group.
Eve quickly completed the form then handed the clipboard back. ‘So I’ll be back around eleven?’
‘Yes, that’s right. Don’t be late!’ The redhead waved a finger at her. The other women didn’t even glance at her and Eve didn’t know whether to be insulted or grateful. They were clearly engaged in their conversation and the last-minute replacement of a contestant was of no interest to them.
She decided to check on Aunt Mary then try to locate Jack. He’d said he’d arrive at around ten with the dogs, and Eve knew he was bringing Gabe. She couldn’t wait to see the greyhound and hoped she’d be able to walk him around the show arena.
* * *
Jack led the four hounds he’d brought to the show across the field to the arena. There was quite a crowd there already and it lifted him. Every year that they’d shown dogs from the sanctuary, they’d managed to find potential owners for some of them. He hoped this year would be the same. Neil and Elena were bringing another four dogs, and even if they only homed one, that was one dog headed to its forever home. Of course they didn’t just let the dogs go to anyone. It involved home checks and assessment of suitability of lifestyle and so on, but if people were genuine about rehoming, then they didn’t mind being checked first.
He scanned the fields as he walked, looking for Eve. The thought of seeing her again, even though it had only been hours since they’d parted, made his stomach flip. He was in deep, and although it scared him, it also filled him with hope. He’d thought he might spend his life alone, not finding love, not finding someone who’d understand him, but Eve was different.
In spite of his joy, however, something was niggling at him. He sensed that she was still holding something back, that there might be something she hadn’t told him. It was, of course, early days and he couldn’t expect her to spill everything all at once. Trust took time and patience and he hoped he would win hers completely. The thought of not being able to do so was something he couldn’t entertain. His counsellor had worked through this with him, coaxing him to explore why he’d shut himself down in the past, encouraging him to admit why he was afraid, and Jack thought he knew how to control this side of himself now. He hoped he had the strength to remain open; he needed to, because Eve was the woman he wanted as his partner in life.
‘Jack!’
He spotted her waving at him and smiled. Gabe pulled at his lead and Jack laughed. ‘Just as keen to see her as I am, eh, boy?’
When he reached her, he glanced around quickly to ensure that no one was watching, then leaned forward and pecked her on the lips. She flushed immediately and Jack was reminded of how she glowed after they made love. He couldn’t wait to be alone with her again.
‘Everything okay?’
‘Yes, fine. Actually, well, uh …’
His heart sank. Something was wrong. Had he upset her by kissing her in public? Was it too much too soon?
‘It’s Aunt Mary. She had a bit of a fall, and I’m kind of wondering if it was deliberate … I know that makes me sound suspicious, but, well you know what she’s like, and see …’
Jack shook his head. ‘Eve, slow down.’ He was concerned by the manic way her eyes were darting around, as if she was searching for answers. ‘Is Mary okay?’
‘Yes.’
‘And why do you think she would have planned this?’
‘Well she asked me to take her place in the cake-off.’
‘But why would she plan that?’
Eve worried her bottom lip and Jack had an urge to kiss her again. If he hadn’t been holding four dog leads, he might have thrown caution to the wind and pulled her close.
‘I’m not really sure, but I suspect it’s something to do with trying to build my confidence.’
‘By making you bake under pressure?’ Jack clamped his lips together to stop himself from smiling. ‘That would be some crafty plan.’
‘I know. Maybe I’m wrong. It just all seemed a bit … convenient.’ Eve crouched down and rubbed Gabe’s ears, then let him lick her face.
‘Hey! The dog’s getting more of a greeting than I did.’
Eve smiled. ‘I’ll make it up to you later.’
‘All right then, as long as you promise.’ He winked.
‘So what time are the dogs being shown?’
‘Half an hour, I think. You okay to take Gabe?’
Eve nodded but her face fell.
‘You know you don’t have to lead him around.’ He was thinking of her anxiety.
‘I know. It’s not that I’m nervous about being out there in front of people. More that I just don’t want anyone else to want him.’
‘Well just take him round and talk to a few people about what we do. He can wear one of the vests with “I don’t need a home but my friends do” on it.’
‘You have those?’
He nodded.
‘Oh Jack, t
hank you.’
‘Hey, no need to thank me. This gorgeous fella loves you too.’
Eve met his gaze and her lips parted slightly.
‘Are you talking about you or Gabe?’
Jack threw back his head and laughed. ‘I see what you did there.’
Eve moved onto her tiptoes and kissed him softly.
‘I love the gorgeous fella too.’
Jack’s heart pounded against his ribcage and he whispered, ‘This has to be the best summer ever.’
* * *
Ten thirty came, and Eve waited with Gabe just outside the show arena. He leaned against her legs, his large, warm body comforting. Jack had given her the vest for Gabe to wear, to show that he was taken, and it had eased Eve’s anxiety. Letting anyone else even entertain the thought of taking him would break her heart.
When Jack gestured at her to follow, she ran around the arena with the big dog at her side. He trotted along in stride with her and she was filled with pride. In many ways he reminded her of Jack: big, strong, powerful; yet gentle, affectionate and vulnerable. The three of them had such a connection and Eve cared about Jack and Gabe so much that the thought of not having them both in her future was unbearable.
They did three circuits, then returned to the gate.
‘If you like, you can walk around with Gabe and speak to some of the people, then hand these out.’ Jack gave her some leaflets featuring information about the sanctuary. ‘If they just want to make a donation – however small – tell them they can do so at the desk there or via the website.’
‘Will do. I have to be in the cake-off tent by eleven.’
‘No problem.’
‘Will you be there?’
‘I’ll try. If Neil’s okay to take the dogs, that is.’ Jack grinned at her.
Eve wandered around the outside of the show arena, handing out leaflets and talking to people, as well as stopping for them to pet Gabe and take photographs. When she next checked her watch, it was five past eleven. ‘Oh no!’ She hurried across to Jack and handed him Gabe’s lead. ‘I have to go. I’m already late.’
‘Hey, don’t worry. It’s just a bit of fun.’
‘I don’t know, Jack. The women in there earlier looked pretty serious to me. I’ll see you in a bit.’
She patted Gabe’s head and he licked her hand, then she raced over to the cake-off tent, pausing by the entrance. Her heart thundered and her legs felt as if they might give way at any moment. Could she actually do this? Did she have the strength after everything else?
‘Eve, dear?’ A cool hand on her arm made her turn, and she found her aunt next to her. ‘Are you all right?’
Eve swallowed her nerves. ‘Yes. A bit late, but I’m ready.’
‘You can do this, sweetheart.’
Aunt Mary’s other arm was bandaged and resting in a sling.
‘How’s your wrist?’
‘A little bruised but nothing to worry about.’
‘Does Edward know?’
‘Yes, dear, he’s over there waiting for me.’ Mary gestured at a row of seats and Eve saw her aunt’s fiancé waving at them. ‘Now keep a cool head and enjoy yourself.’
Eve nodded, then took a deep breath and walked over to the one empty counter, where an apron sat neatly folded on the spotless work surface. She washed her hands thoroughly in the small sink, then pulled the apron over her head. Her mouth was dry and her hands were trembling but she had to do this: for Mary, for Jack, for Gabe, for the sake of the village fair and for herself.
Chapter 26
Eve stared at the ingredients in front of her. Everything she needed to make a cake was right there. But her mind had gone completely blank.
What was she supposed to do first?
She looked around her at the other entrants, who appeared to be a mixture of male and female and different generations. They all seemed to be confidently creating masterpieces. Most impressively, they were all multitasking, something that Eve had yet to master in the kitchen.
There was only one thing for it.
She’d have to make lemon drizzle cake.
Or a Victoria sandwich?
Which one?
She took hold of the block of butter and a knife and weighed some of it out then dropped it into the mixing bowl. Then she grabbed a wooden spoon and began to beat it. As she did so, she watched the woman to her right melting chocolate over a saucepan whilst simultaneously whipping up egg whites. Was she making some sort of soufflé? That would be way beyond Eve’s talents. In front of her, a teenage girl was flicking melted sugar back and forth with a spoon over a sheet of baking paper. Sweat broke out on Eve’s forehead. She was way out of her depth. Her armpits tingled and she felt hot all over. This was too much. She didn’t need to be under such pressure; pressure was her enemy.
Pressure makes me—
Get a grip! It’s all fine, Eve!
She lowered her eyes and saw that the butter was soft and fluffy, so she stopped beating it and weighed out the sugar. Good. Focus. This is all good. She creamed the sugar into the butter and smiled. It was the right consistency. Now for the eggs and the flour.
She worked away diligently, blending in the rest of the ingredients, until the batter was prepared. All she had to do was mix in the lemon zest then pop the mixture into the oven.
But there were no lemons in the fruit bowl.
Or in the fridge.
Or on the work surface.
Why hadn’t she thought to check?
She glanced around at the other contestants. They all had chocolate and sugar and strawberries and even mangoes. But no lemons.
Eve stared at her cake batter. Without lemons, it was just plain sponge cake.
‘Eve!’
She looked to the doorway and there was Jack. Grinning. And juggling. He crossed the tent and dropped two lemons into her fruit bowl.
‘Had a feeling you might need these.’
‘But I wasn’t even meant to be entered into this competition.’ Eve frowned at him.
‘I know, but when you told me about Mary, I suspected that you might make lemon drizzle cake. Luckily, they had lemons on the refreshments stand, so I pinched two. Just in case.’
‘You are a life-saver!’ Eve reached out and pulled him close. She planted a big kiss on his mouth and giggled when he blushed.
‘Eve Carpenter! In public view too!’
She shrugged. ‘Thank you.’
‘Any time. I always want to be able to rescue you if you’re a damsel in distress.’
‘Oh Jack.’ Eve gazed into his eyes for a moment, then realized where she was. Time to get the zest into the batter then get the cake into the oven.
‘I’ll let you get on. I’ll be right over there.’ Jack pointed to where Aunt Mary and Edward sat watching them both intently, beaming at what they’d just witnessed.
Eve nodded and got back to work.
When she’d finally placed the cake in the oven and squeezed the juice from the two lemons into a small bowl, she cleaned up and wiped a hand across her brow. All around her the other contestants were busy creating the most elaborate baked goods she’d ever seen in real life – of course she’d seen similar things on those TV shows – and they were extremely impressive. But they’d most likely been doing this kind of thing for years, whereas for Eve, baking a cake was a significant achievement.
Now all she had to do was sit back and wait for it to cook, then she could add the drizzle and it would be ready.
* * *
A hush fell over the cake-off tent as the judges sampled all the cakes. There was a chocolate marble tower decked with tiny chocolate stars, a lemon roulade served with a berry compote, a baked Alaska surrounded by a delicate glittering sugar cage and a chocolate and raspberry soufflé served with Cornish ice cream – probably from Foxglove Farm, Eve thought. Everything looked delicious.
Then there was Eve’s lemon drizzle cake.
It had caught and browned slightly around the edges and she’d tried to
disguise it by spreading the drizzle thicker there, but she knew that it paled in comparison to the other creations.
Even so, even though she knew she wouldn’t win, she didn’t care.
Because she had achieved something special: she’d baked a cake and it had turned out all right – certainly edible, if not as pretty as the others – and she had baked it under pressure.
And she hadn’t crumbled.
She hadn’t suffered an anxiety attack.
She hadn’t thrown up or passed out.
She left the judges and the other contestants and went to find her aunt and Jack. They were standing near the doorway with Edward, sipping lemonade and talking quietly.
‘Well?’ Mary asked, nodding in the direction of the judges.
Eve shrugged. ‘I was never going to win it, was I? I only learnt how to bake in the last few weeks and it’ll take a while before I’m up to their standard.’
‘I like the positivity there,’ Jack said, sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her closer.
‘Well I feel really positive. I do enjoy baking and I will get better, in time. But I know that this was about more than that.’ She pointed at her aunt’s arm, which was now out of its sling and seemed to be fully functional.
‘Well, dear, I just wanted you to know that you’ve still got it.’
‘It?’ Eve chuckled. ‘Yes, I guess I have.’
‘Whether it’s teaching, leading a school, making a dog happy or just being you, Eve, it doesn’t matter. You’re a lovely young woman with a lot to give and I wanted you to realize that you won’t always crack under pressure. Your confidence has taken a battering of late but it will return, and although that might take time, it will come.’
Eve leaned forward and kissed her aunt’s cheek. ‘Thank you.’
‘That’s what family are for.’
Eve nodded, her throat too tight to reply. Family. Whether that was her aunt, Edward, Gabe or Jack … or all of them together. It didn’t have to be as straightforward as a mother and father or sisters and brothers. It was about the people you spent time with and the people who had time for you. And even after everything that had happened, she was lucky enough to have people who wanted her around.
Summer at Conwenna Cove Page 26