Page 104 of Christmas at Sturcombe Bay
“They’ll want plenty to choose from. Ah, sounds like they’re here.”
The lift doors opened, but it wasn’t Liam and Cassie. It was Shelley and the young sous chef from the kitchen, with a catering trolley bearing the wedding cake.
“Oh!” She blinked at him, looked away and looked back again. “I didn’t realise anyone was up here yet.”
“We came up out of the cold.”
“Of course.” She smiled warmly at his grandfather. “Hello, Arthur. How are you today?”
“I’m as fit as a flea!”
“That’s good. Did you enjoy the wedding?”
“Oh, ah. She’s a pretty girl, young Cassie. Young Liam’s got himself a good ’un there.”
“He has.” She flickered a brief smile up at Alex. “Well . . . um . . . We just need to put the cake on the table, and then we’ll be gone.”
“You’re not staying for the reception?”
“Oh no. I nipped up to watch the ceremony, but I’m on duty now.”
“Okay.” He smiled at her. “I’ll see you later then.”
“Yes, of course.”
Although it was likely that, as usual, she would slip away like one of the piskies from up on the moor.
The cake was placed carefully into the centre of the table. Chef had excelled himself, again. The cake was magnificent — three tiers, covered in intricately piped lace icing, with clusters of silver leaves and white flowers at the base of each tier.
And on the top, instead of the traditional figures of a bride and groom, were little models of Gitana and Missie.
“What’s in that punch?” Arthur wanted to know.
“Champagne, ginger ale and vodka.”
“Ah . . . I want some of that!”
“In a moment. Here they come now.”
Footsteps were heard on the stairs, then the large double doors at the end of the room swung open and Liam and Cassie walked in. A little blonde fairy in a pink dress raced ahead of them.
Robyn’s eyes were wide with excitement. “Oh, Mummy, Mummy, come and look at the cake!” she squealed.
Cassie smiled. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it. Hello, Arthur. I hope you didn’t get too cold down there?”
“Pah! Everyone fusses, but I was warm as toast. I’ve got a nice thick overcoat. You young people today never think to wrap up warm, then you complain about the weather.”
Cassie laughed. “You’re probably right.” She smiled at Alex. “You missed the speeches.”
“Oh dear, what a pity. Never mind.”
“We’ve videoed them. You can watch them later.” She laughed at the expression on his face. “Got you! Only kidding.”
“Huh.”
* * *
“Hi, there. How was Botswana?”
