She frowned. ‘Well, you shouldn’t do too much. You’ll definitely need someone to do the painting.’
‘I guess so,’ I said, hating that I couldn’t just do it all myself but it was probably too much work. ‘And the floors need sanding and varnishing too.’ I showed her my notebook. ‘This is the menu at the moment. I wanted to start off simply and add more once we get a good customer base.’
‘That’s always a good idea,’ she said, looking at it. ‘I think the Scottish section is such a brainwave, I know the locals and tourists will love it.’
‘I hope so.’
‘And you’ve decided on “Emily’s Bakery” for the name, do you think?’ she asked, taking a sip of her homemade lemonade.
‘I know it’s obvious but it’s what I always dreamed of.’
She laughed. ‘Of course you want your name up there. I think it’s simple and perfect. I can’t wait to see it for myself. You’ll need a killer sign too.’
‘I’m going to ask Beth’s friend Heather – she’s really into art and design. I think she can come up with something great. And I can use the sign-makers the other shops have used.’
‘I’m so glad you’re doing this,’ Molly said, giving my hand a quick squeeze. ‘It’s so exciting.’
I smiled. ‘I’ve been terrified, to be honest, and I still am, but I am excited now I’ve decided to go for it. I’m still not sure if I can pull it off but this is something I’ve always wanted, and I’d be crazy to not try.’
‘I’m proud of you. And in that vein…’ She held out a cheque. ‘I want you to know how grateful I am to have had you working with me the past few years, and for your friendship. I meant it when I said you’re like my daughter, and I can’t wait to see everything that you’re going to achieve.’
‘Oh, Molly.’ I grabbed her, pulling her into me, squishing the cheque between us. ‘You don’t know how grateful I am. I don’t know how to ever thank you.’ I let her go, finally, wiping away a tear as I took the cheque from her.
‘No thanks needed. You deserve this. You earnt it. I can now retire, knowing that both my bakery is in excellent hands, and your future is taken care of. I’ll be travelling but you can bet I’ll be up in Scotland as often as I can.’ Molly wiped her own eyes.
‘I would love that,’ I told her. I held tightly onto the money she had given me, knowing that I was incredibly lucky to have her in my life. ‘I never could have done this without you. And I still see it as an investment, not a gift,’ I added, sternly. She kept changing the subject when I mentioned paying any of it back once the bakery was on its feet, I knew I would be hard-pressed to get her to accept anything but I was determined to try.
She shook her head. ‘You know that I’m just happy that I can be part of it.’
‘There will definitely be a cake named after you,’ I promised.
She laughed. ‘Then I shall definitely order it on opening day.’ She held up her glass of lemonade and I clinked it with mine to seal the deal.
* * *
Nervously, I sat in the hospital chair, my mum beside me, as the sonographer came out and told us to go on through. I had had so much to think about that the idea of the second scan had just been hovering around, I hadn’t dwelled too much on it, but now I was there ready for it, I was just hoping everything was still okay.
I laid down as the sonographer started chatting but her words hung around in the air like a fog, not really penetrating through. Then she rubbed on the gel and began the ultrasound. It seemed to take forever for her to smile.
‘Well, everything seems to be looking good,’ she said. ‘The baby is a perfect size, I can’t see any problems.’
I exhaled deeply and looked across at my mum who beamed at me. ‘That’s a relief!’
‘Still on track for your due date in February,’ she added then.
‘And are you able to tell me… is it a girl or a boy?’
‘Are you sure you’d like to know?’
I nodded. I didn’t think I wanted any more surprises. I wanted to be able to plan properly, to prepare for the baby’s arrival, to know who I’d be meeting in a few months. ‘Yes please.’
‘It’s a girl,’ she said, easily.
‘Really?’ I stared at the baby on the screen in wonder.
‘As sure as I can be, yes.’
Mum squeezed my hand. ‘Oh, Emily, how wonderful.’
I smiled. ‘Hi, baby girl,’ I said to the screen.
‘I’ll print you off another photo,’ the sonographer said.
‘I’ll see you soon,’ I whispered to my baby girl, hardly able to believe that I’d soon be the mother of a daughter.
After we left the hospital, clutching the scan photo, I pulled out my phone to call Greg’s parents. I wanted to tell them it was a girl and also to see if they could pass it on to his therapist. Greg needed to know. They were as thrilled as we were about the news.
Mum and I went back to my parents’ house. I was in my teenage bedroom again, but it wasn’t going to be for long. I had already told Beth I was coming back to Glendale and everything was on track for me to start work on the bakery. To say she was excited was an understatement. I could hardly wait to get back to Scotland again and make a start on everything. Beth had told me I could stay as long as I liked at the Hall but I wasn’t sure if they were really prepared to welcome my baby as well so I resolved to have a think about where I could live when I got there too.
I was also feeling a little guilty, though. ‘Mum, are you really okay with me doing this?’ I asked, watching as she switched the kettle on. I had seen how her face had lit up when she saw my baby girl on the screen. ‘Going back to Glendale, I mean?’
She turned around, and leaned against the counter. ‘I can see how excited you are. I know this has always been your dream, and it’s such a great opportunity. You must take it. Of course we’ll miss you, but we will come up as often as we can, and you know we always talked of retiring back to Scotland. We have a pretty great incentive to follow through with that plan now.’ She smiled. ‘We just want you to be happy.’
Tears welled up in my eyes as I rushed around the table to give her a hug. She was surprised but wrapped her arms around me. ‘I wouldn’t believe that I was capable of doing this if it wasn’t for you,’ I told her through my tears.
‘You are capable of anything,’ she replied.
When we pulled back, both our eyes were glistening. She hurriedly made the tea, wiping at her eyes, never one for letting her feelings show. I smiled at her back. It really helped knowing they’d always be in my corner. My phone rang then.
‘Oh, it’s the treatment centre,’ I said when I looked at the screen. ‘Hello?’ I answered, walking out into the hallway.
‘Em? It’s me. Uh, Greg.’
I sank down onto the bottom step of the staircase. ‘Greg? Oh my God,’ I said. ‘I mean, how are you?’ I added, quickly.
‘I’m doing okay. My therapist said you had a scan today.’
‘Yes! Yes, I did,’ I said, wondering why I was sounding so high-pitched. It was just really surreal speaking to him at rehab. ‘Everything is good. And we’re having a girl.’
‘A girl.’ I could hear the smile in his voice. ‘That’s perfect.’
‘I’ll give your parents a scan photo, hopefully they can get it to you. If you’re allowed, that is. Is it – how is it there?’
He sighed a little. ‘It’s hard. Harder than I thought, I suppose. But for the first time in a long time, I can see some light ahead, you know?’
‘That’s great, Greg. Really. I’m proud of you.’
‘You are?’
‘Of course. And our girl is too.’
‘Wow, a girl. She’ll look just like you, I bet. Mum and Dad said you’re going back to Scotland?’
‘I am,’ I replied, carefully, not sure how much to say.
‘Good,’ he said. ‘You seemed to be happy up there. I’m sorry I ruined that. I’m sorry for so much, I can’t even begin to tell y
ou.’ His voice turned a little shaky. ‘Take care of yourself, and bump, okay?’
‘I promise.’ I hung up and clutched my phone to my chest. He sounded okay. Like he would be okay. And that’s all I wanted. ‘Well, looks like it’s just you and me for a while longer,’ I whispered to my bump. ‘But we’ll be okay, won’t we?’
And I felt it. A flutter deep inside. Like little wings in my stomach.
I smiled. ‘Good girl.’
Chapter Forty-Nine
For my third arrival in Glendale of the summer, Aunt Sally met me at the station in her Jeep. ‘This is becoming a habit,’ she said with a laugh, giving me a squeeze.
‘Is Glendale a cult or something?’ I joked back, instantly feeling better for being back on Scottish soil.
‘I knew you wouldn’t be able to keep away for long,’ Aunt Sally replied with a smile. We put my bags in the boot and set off for the Hall. ‘That bump has grown already since I last saw you,’ she said as we drove from the station.
‘I can feel her moving,’ I said with a smile. ‘It’s amazing.’
‘I’m so thrilled you’re having a girl,’ she said. ‘I’m already knitting.’
‘Thanks. I really need to get buying things, I’m feeling quite unprepared.’
‘Plenty of time,’ she replied. She glanced across at me. ‘And how are you feeling about everything?’
‘Good. I think. I’m excited but terrified too,’ I admitted. I had woken at three a.m. worrying about everything but the sight of Glendale approaching made me smile.
‘Of course you are – starting over is never easy but you’re not alone. Have you heard anything from Greg?’
I told her about our phone call. ‘I think it’s likely he’ll be in rehab for longer, but I think he’ll be okay.’
She nodded. ‘And so will you. Greg is focusing on himself and his recovery so you should do the same. Glendale is a wonderful place to raise a family, and this bakery will be a huge hit, I just know it. I’m proud of you, Emily. This has been your dream for such a long time. The past couple of months have been testing and you could have easily just fallen apart but I can see that it’s already made you stronger.’
‘I think it has,’ I said, surprised to find that I thought she was right about that. I had put off my dream for far too long but somehow after everything going wrong lately, I could finally see that I was capable of making it come true. Perhaps you sometimes needed things to fall apart so you could put everything back together.
‘I have a suggestion,’ Aunt Sally said then as the Hall came into view. ‘I have just moved into the cottage and I’d love to have you there. That way, you don’t need to worry about your living arrangements; you can just stay with me while you get the bakery up and running, and of course when the baby comes. You know how much I’d love to have you both there.’
‘Even with all the noise and chaos of a baby?’
‘You’re family, Emily. Of course!’
I smiled. ‘That’s really kind of you, and I would love it. I am worried I’m taking on too much so to have you there would be such a help. If you’re really sure?’
‘I’m really sure,’ she promised. ‘Is that a yes then?’
I was relieved. I had been worried I’d be taking advantage of Beth and her family by not only opening a bakery without paying them rent, but staying in their house too, so this was the perfect solution. ‘I would love it,’ I told Aunt Sally. ‘Thank you.’ Excitement fizzed up in my chest as we pulled up outside my new home.
My life was certainly not going as I had planned but now, that didn’t seem like such a bad thing.
* * *
I stood in the shop with Bill, the owner of the supply company Molly had recommended. ‘So, that’s the mixer I’d like,’ I said. I had set up a folding table and two chairs in the middle of the empty shop for us to work at while we planned what he would need to order for my kitchen.
‘And I think a convection oven would be the best choice,’ he said, flicking though the catalogue to show me.
‘Yes. That’s the one we used at Molly’s too,’ I agreed. We discussed the options and I chose the one that I felt was the best size and price.
‘And then the display cases…’ Bill showed me the ones he wanted to install.
‘And do you think that would leave enough space still for tables and chairs for people to eat in?’
Bill produced his measuring tape and showed me where the counter needed to be to fit the cases. It seemed to leave enough room for six tables, which was enough for a start. Most customers I was sure would take away their cakes and drinks anyway, and in time I could buy tables for use outside in the summer.
‘I’ll order all this up then, it usually takes four weeks and then I’ll need a couple of days to install it with my boys. When are you planning to open?’
‘I was hoping for September,’ I said, which would leave me a few months before the baby arrived to get the business going. Aunt Sally had already said she’d be willing to run it for the first couple of months after the baby came but I also wanted to hire two members of staff to help us.
‘That’s doable definitely,’ he agreed, holding out his hand. I shook it firmly, allowing myself a smile. Things were getting on track nicely.
After he left, I organised a local decorator to come and give me a quote for painting and sanding and varnishing the wooden floor. I was hoping to do a lot of the finishing touches myself to save on money, and Beth and I were going to look at furniture later in the week.
Pleased I had organised as much as I could that morning, I let myself out of the shop and walked towards the Glendale Arms where I had booked in lunch with Heather so I could ask her to design a sign and logo I could use for the menus and shop front. As I walked past the church, I saw Brodie climbing out of his car out the front. ‘Hi,’ I said, giving him a wave.
‘You’re back again,’ he said, stepping forward into my path with his easy smile.
‘And quite possibly for good too,’ I replied. ‘I’ve decided to open my bakery here. I’m going to go for it.’
‘Well, that’s great news! I can’t wait to come in for tea and cake. If you need any help…’
‘Thanks, there will be a lot to do, I just hope I can pull it all off.’
‘Of course you can. And you’re back at the Hall too?’
‘I’m staying in the cottage with my aunt.’
‘So, you’ll be my neighbour then?’
‘I will indeed,’ I said, hoping he thought that was a good thing. I was about to ask, when there was a shout behind us. I turned to see Jen hurrying across the road. ‘Anyway, I’m meeting Heather for lunch so…’ I said, not wanting to stick around to watch them being all loved up. ‘Hi, Jen, I’m just off to the pub,’ I said, quickly, making a move to go.
‘I’m just coming for lunch at the vicarage,’ she said, a little breathless from rushing over to us. She shook her head at Brodie. ‘This one has been so busy, I had to practically beg him to squeeze me in.’
Brodie gave an uneasy laugh. ‘Well, have a good one,’ he said to me. ‘Let’s head inside then, Jen.’ She gave me a merry wave and followed him as I set off towards the Glendale Arms, wishing the sight of the two of them didn’t affect me as much as it did. My only small comfort was that Brodie didn’t look anywhere near as excited to see Jen as she did him, although that made me feel like I was a really bad friend.
I should want him to be happy and find someone, shouldn’t I?
Chapter Fifty
Heather was waiting at a table in the Glendale Arms when I arrived. She waved and I joined her in the corner. ‘How are you?’ she asked. ‘I got a jug of juice – it’s so muggy today.’
‘Thank you. I’m okay, just getting a bit stressed with my checklist, there still seems to be so much to do. And there’s only just over a month until I want to open.’
‘These things always feel impossible until they’re done. We were the same with all the work we did on the Christmas t
rail but that turned out brilliantly. The bakery is going to be wonderful, don’t worry. Especially once I get designing the logo.’ She waved a notebook at me.
‘Are you sure you have the time for this? I feel guilty with how much you have going on.’ I really did admire Heather – she not only was a wonderful mother to Harry but she worked in the library and lived on the farm with Rory, helping out there, and also popping into the farm shop in Glendale when needed as well. She gave me hope that I could juggle motherhood and the bakery although I was certain I wouldn’t make it look as easy as she did.
‘Honestly, I love designing things. I went back to college to get an A Level in art and design last year, and I designed everything for the farm shop. I love it. I’d like to do more but there’s so much going on. So, seriously, this is something I’ll enjoy, I promise.’
I smiled. ‘Okay, if you’re sure.’
‘So, what do you envisage for the bakery?’
‘I want it to feel cosy and homely. Inviting. Like you’ve gone into someone’s kitchen to have tea and cake. Does that even make sense?’ I laughed as I tried to put into words how I had pictured my bakery for years. I took out my notebook and showed her the sketches I had done of how I wanted it to look.
Heather looked at it. ‘Perfect. I can come up with something to complement that I’m sure. And I can show you my ideas as I go to make sure I’m on the right track. What about colours?’
‘Well, the bakery is going to be lemon and blue mainly, with white walls.’ I showed her the colour swatches I had.
‘Perfect.’ She smiled. ‘This is so exciting. I love how we’re all going to have a business here.’
I smiled. ‘Me too.’ I took a sip of juice. ‘Can I ask, is it difficult doing it all? All the work you do plus looking after Harry. He’s still so young…’ I was still nervous about how I was going to handle both the bakery, and motherhood.
New Beginnings At Glendale Hall Page 24