New Beginnings At Glendale Hall

by Victoria Walters

  ‘Hello everyone. I can’t thank you all enough for coming to the opening of Emily’s Bakery today. Don’t worry, I’m not going to do a long and boring speech, I know myself that when I need coffee no one better stand in my way.’ There was a ripple of laughter at that, and a couple of knowing nods too. ‘I just wanted to thank everyone who has helped turn this bakery into a reality. Molly, my boss and mentor, and above all, friend, this is all thanks to you, and I’m not going to look at you because I know if I do, I’ll start crying,’ I said, turning my head from her. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her dab at her eyes and I knew I was right to avoid eye contact.

  ‘Thank you to my parents for always supporting me. Beth and Caroline Williams for welcoming me onto the High Street and into this shop, and for everything you’ve done for me this summer. Heather Douglas for designing such a fabulous sign and logo, and all the menus too; they were just what I wanted. And all my friends who pitched in and helped me get the bakery ready.’ My eyes fell on Brodie then and I smiled at him, hoping he knew just how grateful I was for his friendship. ‘And, finally, I want to thank my Aunt Sally for teaching me to bake when I was little, and giving me the dream that today is finally coming true! And now I’m going to shut up and welcome you to my bakery. I hope you like it!’ I stood back, and everyone clapped. I smiled as people walked inside, ooh-ing and aah-ing in delight. Lucy and Jules rushed behind the counter and were soon taking coffee and cake orders.

  ‘Can I get a shot of you with your family?’ Steve asked then, pulling me back outside for some posed snaps with Mum and Dad, and Aunt Sally, and I made sure Molly was included as well.

  ‘Right, I’m in desperate need of a coffee,’ Mum said when Steve left. I watched them all go inside but I paused for a moment, looking up at the sign. ‘I’ll tell you one day about this,’ I said in a low voice to my bump. ‘How you were with me at the grand opening of my first ever bakery,’ I promised her. ‘I hope that you’re as proud as I am in there.’

  ‘We need more cupcakes!’ A frantic call came from within. I smiled, and hurried through the door to help.

  Chapter Sixty

  By lunch time, we had sold out of bread and cakes, and we were exhausted but happy. I was thrilled with the response, and looked at the empty shelves with triumph. We had really done it.

  Beth had arranged a celebratory late lunch back at Glendale Hall so after clearing up, I locked up and Aunt Sally and I drove back with Lucy and Jules. The bakery would be shut on Sundays so I would be back bright and early on Monday for our first proper day, and I couldn’t wait.

  ‘There they are!’ Beth called as we trooped into the kitchen. The French doors were thrown open and the afternoon promised to be bright and sunny. Everyone was at the picnic table waiting for us. Balloons had been hung by the door and the table was decorated in our bakery colours. I smiled at the friendly faces waiting for us, and the treats on the table. Much needed after our morning.

  ‘Sit down,’ my mum instructed me sternly after I’d greeted everyone. I half fell down onto the bench, glad to be sitting, I had to admit.

  ‘What a morning!’ Lucy said, taking a drink from Beth.

  ‘It was crazy,’ Jules agreed but they were smiling, and I think they had enjoyed their first day on the job.

  ‘Such a good turnout,’ Aunt Sally said. ‘The whole of Glendale seemed to be there.’

  ‘I can’t believe how supportive everyone was,’ I said taking a long gulp of ice-cold lemonade. But actually I could, Glendale was such a warm community, and I had high hopes that the bakery would thrive.

  ‘The dreaming bread I had was delicious,’ Brodie said. He was sat opposite me in jeans, his shirt sleeves rolled up, no sign of his dog collar. He smiled at me and I blushed, thinking about what dreaming bread symbolised. Weddings should definitely not be on either of our minds.

  ‘I need to steal the recipe for my bakery,’ Molly piped up from down the table. ‘Oh, actually, no, it’s not mine any more,’ she added, remembering. ‘I’ll just take it for myself then.’

  I smiled. ‘You can have any recipe you like. This is all thanks to you.’ I lifted my glass at her. She shook her head, I think she would forever dispute that the bakery was anything other than mine, and mine alone, but I knew I wouldn’t be here without her. Or without anyone sat at the table with me actually.

  ‘Right, tuck in everyone!’ Beth called out as she carried over a plate of burgers and added them to the vast array of food already on the table. We certainly knew how to do food in Glendale. I was sure half of my bump was from eating too much, and not the baby at all.

  After lunch, none of us could face any more cake but we had fresh strawberries grown by John and lashings of clotted cream. The sun came out properly, bathing Glendale Hall in warm light. Izzy rounded up everyone who wanted to play a game of rounders on the grass with her, and I took Molly, Lucy and Jules on a tour of the garden. My parents, who hadn’t been there in a long time, and Brodie joined us.

  ‘It’s stunning,’ Lucy breathed. ‘I heard that it was but wow,’ she said as we walked alongside the stream sparkling in the sunshine. ‘You’re so lucky you get to live here,’ she added to me.

  ‘I know. I’ve gone from a tiny back garden in London to all of this,’ I replied, stretching my arms out wide. ‘I can’t believe what a summer it’s been.’

  ‘Where’s your cottage?’ Mum asked. I pointed and they set off towards it. I hung back a little, and Brodie fell into step with me.

  ‘You really did it,’ he said, smiling across at me.

  I paused, and he stopped too, letting the others go on ahead of us. ‘I was so sure that I couldn’t do it. I don’t think I would have done either, if life, and everyone here, hadn’t given me such a kick up the arse.’ Brodie grinned at that. ‘And now I’ve said arse in front of a minister.’

  ‘You’ve said worse,’ he replied, dryly.

  I chuckled. ‘It’s a compliment that I can be myself around you. I think.’

  ‘I’m glad you can be yourself with me. I’d never want you to be anyone else.’

  We set off again, strolling slowly, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon. I did feel more comfortable with him than I had with any other man before. Even though he was a minster. Or maybe because he was, I wasn’t sure. ‘Brodie…’ I stopped again, and patiently he turned to me again. ‘I really didn’t know if I could open the bakery, if I could move here, if I could raise this baby… I thought that I didn’t have space in my life for anything else. That I had to focus on me and this baby, and I do. And I will. But I’ve realised that doesn’t mean I can’t also be happy. And being without you doesn’t make me happy. It just feels like there’s something missing. It’s not like I need you, like I’ve needed people before. I know I can do this alone, but do I want to?’ I was babbling, and we both knew it. I took a deep breath. ‘What I’m saying is, if you still feel anything for me, if you still want to be part of this crazy mess I’m now calling a life then I want you to. It’s going to be as complicated as hell. Sorry for saying hell. But maybe life always is complicated. Maybe we should grab our chance to be happy while we can. Only if you want to, though.’

  ‘Emily?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Please shut up.’ Brodie stepped closer, and reached out to tuck a stray hair behind my ear. He touched my cheek and then my lips, and I felt my breath hitch in my throat. ‘Ever since I met you everything has been thrown into chaos. And I’ve loved every moment of it. You’ve always told me exactly what you think and I love that. I love your honesty and your loyalty, and how kind you are to everyone, always thinking of others before yourself. And I’ve watched you grow stronger with every setback you’ve had. You are the most capable woman I’ve ever met. And you’re gorgeous too. I haven’t been able to get you out of my head from the moment we met. I know that things won’t be easy, there’s so much going on, but I never want to make things harder for you. I want to make them easier. I want to be your partner, to help you. I
want to be there for you and your baby. I already love you. And I want to love you forever.’

  I put my arms around his neck, and his hands slipped to my waist. ‘I think it’s your turn to shut up now,’ I said, smiling. I reached up and his lips met me halfway, giving me a long, slow, deep kiss that I felt from my lips right down to my toes. He picked me up then and twirled me around, both of us laughing. When he put me down, he kissed me again. ‘Are you really sure?’ I asked him, anxiously. ‘I’ll be a single mother, I mean you’re a minister… will people be shocked?’

  ‘I don’t know that I always set a good example to my congregation but I try to. If loving someone, if helping someone, if looking after someone, if being loving and honest and kind isn’t a good example then I really don’t know what is.’ He took my hands in his. ‘There’s no rush. We have all the time in the world. Let’s take it slow. As long as I know that you feel the same as I do then that’s all that matters. The rest will come in time. When we’re ready for it to.’

  ‘What did I do to deserve you?’ I said, shaking my head.

  ‘What did I do to deserve you?’ As he kissed me, I felt my baby give me a solid kick, and I hoped that meant she was giving her seal of approval to Brodie.

  We certainly wouldn’t be a conventional family but love was love, and I knew our life would be filled with it, and that was all any of us could really wish for, wasn’t it?

  Epilogue

  One Year Later

  I stood at the church altar, smiling at Brodie who was addressing the congregation. Beside me, Greg wore a suit and a wide smile on his face. In my arms, I held my squirming baby girl. Behind us sat our family and friends, and outside the Scottish rain could be heard dancing on the church roof.

  ‘Will the godparents come forward, please?’ Brodie asked. I smiled as Beth and Heather stepped forward with Drew. Greg had been happy for me to ask them as they spent so much time with me and our daughter, and had done so much for the both of us.

  ‘People of God, will you welcome this child and uphold them in their new life of Christ?’

  We all replied in unison. ‘With the help of God, we will.’

  We then moved to the font, and I handed Iona to Brodie. She quietened immediately as she always did when he held her. A safe pair of hands, and she knew it. Brodie dipped his fingers in the font water and made the sign of the cross on her head. She stared at him, wide-eyed, wondering what he was doing to her. ‘I baptise you, Iona, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’

  The congregation chorused ‘amen’ in response, and Brodie handed Iona back to me, our eyes meeting over her, a smile on both of our faces. I leaned down and kissed my beloved daughter on the forehead, still wet from the font, and was struck again by the miracle that she was. It had actually been Greg who had suggested a christening. I knew Brodie had wished for it, not that he would say anything, he was brilliant at being there for us and stepping back when he thought it best. I agreed to please them both – the men in our lives.

  After the service, we left for Glendale Hall to celebrate. We drove past the bakery which was locked up for the day, and I smiled at it. It was doing really well and I loved coming up with new recipes, and early morning baking with Iona asleep beside me. I leaned on Brodie’s shoulder as we drove, Iona starting to fall asleep in the car seat beside me. Brodie squeezed my hand. We had grown closer than I ever thought possible but I still lived at the cottage, and he at the vicarage. Until we got married, that was the way it had to be. We hadn’t wanted to rush anything but I was starting to wonder if we were taking things too slow.

  At the Hall, I found Greg in the kitchen. ‘Want to help me put her down?’ I asked. We went into the living room where I put her in her carrycot, tucking her into her blanket. She loved company and always stayed awake when people were there, her bright eyes taking everything in, so it was best to move her in here for a nap. I switched on the monitor and looked down at her. ‘She’s so beautiful,’ I said, my heart bursting with joy as it always did watching her sleep.

  ‘I still can't believe we made her,’ Greg agreed, leaning down to give her a little kiss. He smiled at me when he stood up. ‘It was a lovely service. Thank you for doing that.’

  ‘Are you sure you won’t stay here tonight?’

  He shook his head. ‘It’ll be easier to wake up in Inverness ready for the interview.’ Greg had applied to join the fire service in Inverness. He was doing well and it felt like the right time for him to move closer to Iona.

  ‘Are you nervous?’

  ‘A little. I can’t wait to be up here though.’

  Brodie came in then. ‘Oh, sorry,’ he whispered, seeing the baby asleep. ‘They want to bring out the cake so sent me in to get you guys.’

  ‘I’ll never meet anyone who has as much cake as you lot,’ Greg said with a grin. He started to walk out then paused and looked back. ‘You know, now that I’m moving up here, you both should think about making a change of your own. How long are you going to make us all wait for a wedding? I’m fed up with everyone talking about it.’ He strolled out leaving us both a little stunned.

  ‘That was weird,’ I said in a low voice. ‘Everyone is talking about it?’

  Brodie shook his head. ‘I love Glendale but people should really mind their own business.’ He wrapped an arm around my waist.

  ‘What if they’re right?’ I asked, looking up at him.

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘You think?’

  ‘I suppose I’m wondering what we’re waiting for. We already feel like a family. I mean – we are a family. I love you two with all of my heart. There’s nothing I want more than for us to be together.’

  Brodie smiled. ‘Me too.’ He gave me a kiss. ‘Leave it with me then.’

  ‘Leave it with you?’ I asked with a laugh.

  ‘Maybe I already have it all planned out.’

  ‘No way. Mr Easy-Going. I’m the planner, not you.’

  He sighed. ‘Fine. I will plan it all out then. Will that make you happy?’

  ‘You make me happy,’ I replied.

  ‘You too.’ He reached for me and the kiss lingered so long that I heard Beth calling us. ‘Sounds like we’d better go.’

  I nodded. ‘Cake waits for no man.’

  ‘Ooh, I could hide an engagement ring in a cupcake,’ Brodie said as we went out, his eyes lighting up.

  ‘You’ve kind of ruined that as a surprise. Besides, I’d probably choke on it.’

  ‘It could be a hazard,’ he agreed with a grin. ‘I’ll just have to think of another way to surprise you then.’

  ‘I don’t think you can,’ I said. I knew him so well, I was sure I’d cotton on to anything he planned.

  ‘I’m taking this as a bet. I warn you now.’

  ‘I really don’t think proposing marriage should be a bet, Reverend Brodie. What would your bishop say about that?’ I asked as we walked into the kitchen.

  ‘We just won’t tell him,’ he replied.

  ‘Lying to your bishop!’ I tutted at him with a smile. ‘I told you when we met, you really weren’t like any minster I’d ever met. I still stand by that.’

  ‘Guilty as charged.’

  ‘Never change, Reverend Brodie.’

  ‘As long as you don’t, Emily Prescott.’

  Beth shushed us then to wheel out the cake and make a speech. I leaned into Brodie, his arm strong and warm around me, and smiled at our family and friends gathered to celebrate my baby girl. I hoped that we’d all never change, but I knew that if life did throw any of us a curve ball again then we’d all be okay, because we had each other.

  A Letter From Vicky

  Dear reader,

  I am so excited to be returning to Glendale Hall! I was so touched by your reviews and messages after releasing Coming Home to Glendale Hall, and hearing how many of you wanted to return there. Well, here we are!

  This time we follow Emily’s story even though we are still very much in the world of Glenda
le, and hopefully all of your favourite characters from the first book pop up in this one. I knew when I was writing the first book that I wanted to know more about the woman who took Beth in when she was a pregnant teenager, and what her journey looked like. This time it’s summer in the Highlands - there is a lot of cake, and a minister that you might very well fall in love with yourself so curl up with a cup of tea and escape again to Glendale. My fingers (and toes!) are crossed that you will all enjoy it as much as your first visit there.

  As ever, please do get in touch online to let me know if you enjoy this book, and share your thoughts with other readers by reviewing on Amazon and Goodreads!

  Much love,

  Victoria

  Acknowledgments

  It has been such a pleasure returning to Glendale. My biggest thanks is to all the readers who loved book one, who were desperate to know what happened next, and made this such a joy to write. Thank you to all the reviewers and bloggers who spread the word about Coming Home to Glendale Hall – I am so grateful for your support. Special thanks to my Book Squad for being such amazing cheerleaders. And everyone who took the time to contact me online to say they enjoyed the book, your messages make my day every single time!

  Thank you so much to Keshini and Lindsey at Hera, my agent Hannah Ferguson, the team at Hardman and Swainson, and everyone who has worked on my books behind the scenes for your hard work, talent, support, and for putting up with this perpetually anxious author.

  To my fellow authors for your endless encouragement especially the Savvy Writers’ Snug, the Doomsday Writers, George Lester, Kim Nash, Kiley Dunbar, and Mary Jayne Baker. Special thanks to Heidi Swain for your generous support.