Page 84 of The Cornish Christmas Book Clu
Seeing her friends gathered together was a highlight of the month and when it was her turn to host, that did add another layer of stress to her busy life. Everyone insisted they didn’t care if the house was untidy, or if there was nothing more exciting to snack on than a packet of Vernon’s special-offer biscuits, but no one followed the mantra. It was true that holding the meeting at the bookshop would boost Gage’s business, and free everyone to enjoy the evening more, at least all except for her. With the café being there, how could she not offer to handle the refreshments? After a long day on her feet, that was the last thing she wanted. How mean was she?
‘But only under one condition.’ Amy put on what they secretly called her scary lawyer face. ‘We all take turns doing the snacks. If people want to team up, that’s fine. But we do it all and leave the café as we find it, so Tamara doesn’t have extra work in the morning before opening. We can even make it BYOB and bring our own wine. It’s perfectly legal.’
Tamara wasn’t sure how she felt about having her mind read by someone other than Gage. ‘I’m happy with that and if we vote to give it a try, I’ll put it to Gage.’
‘Just stick on your pink piggy lingerie and he’ll be putty.’ Becky chortled.
She was about to ask how her friend knew about that when mortification swept through her. She recalled foolishly blabbing about Gage’s sexy present after a few too many glasses of champagne on New Year’s Eve.
Everyone fell into fits of giggles. Amid all the laughter, Evelyn managed to winkle out of people whether they approved or disapproved of Amy’s idea, and it was no surprise when everyone voted yes.
‘Right, that’s settled. Tamara will ask Gage if he’ll agree to give us a try. And now, I suggest abandoning the façade of talking about books and moving on to weddings instead. The Back of Beyond Book Club will keep the bridal industry in business this year. I wondered if we might consider the possibility of a group holiday to Jamaica.’
She happened to be watching Amy, whose reaction was priceless. A gasp burst out and Amy’s hand flew to her mouth as tears leaked out from under her dark-rimmed glasses. This was what true, deep friendship was all about.
Epilogue
If it wasn’t for the tempting spicy scent of mince pies filling the air, Gage would find it hard to believe it was Christmas Day again and time for another Spirit of Christmasdinner. The venue had moved back to the pub because of its added space. Forty people had signed up, but they would feed closer to sixty because last year’s helpers had all volunteered to pitch in again.
Tamara had volunteered to make the desserts other than the Christmas puddings, so in between baking for the busy café she’d whipped up endless batches of mince pies, several extravagant sherry trifles and bowls of fresh fruit salad. Rocky was steaming his homemade puddings in the pub kitchen while he oversaw the rest of the meal, with help from Becky and Monica. His own family would join them later to eat.
‘You haven’t got time to muse on what a wonderful life you have.’ Tamara had sneaked up behind him. ‘I’m not referring to that awful, sappy Christmas film it’s almost impossible to avoid on the telly over the holidays either.’
‘Do I have time for this?’ Gage whipped a sprig of mistletoe from behind his back and held it over her head.
‘Always.’ Her floury hands wrapped around his neck and drew him into a lingering kiss. ‘I’m glad we decided to close for the week and reopen after New Year.’
‘We need a break and it’s not like we’ll lose much business because everyone’s skint.’
They generally did a good job of balancing running two businesses with their private life. The successful café had brought more business to the bookshop, and vice versa. It helped that he’d taken Emily on full time at the bookshop after she’d finished college. His niece had done brilliantly in her A levels and she’d decided to take a gap year before going to uni.She wanted to work and save as much money as she could to avoid taking out any big loans.
Emily had cleverly used social media to offer artists and craftspeople display space at the shop and café. They chose a new one every month to showcase and keep things fresh, and they took a small cut of the sales. A military-history group met on the first Monday of every month, traditionally the quietest day of the week, which was another big success. The newest experiment, set to start in January, was opening at six o’clock twice a month to host local writers who needed a quiet space to work. And then of course, there was the book club. That experiment had gone well and they’d decided to continue meeting there.
‘I was thinking about everything that’s happened since last Christmas,’ Tamara mused. ‘At Easter there was Evelyn and Quinten’s second wedding party. Amy and Tessa’s beach wedding in Jamaica was awesome too and definitely gave me the travel bug. Scotland was fab as well.’
He’d been touched when she’d chosen to have her specially designed Wemyss pig wear a green beret and Royal Marines insignia. Embarrassingly she christened it Gorgeous Gage and now it sat pride of place on her dressing table.
‘You didn’t think much of your time in Normandy, I know.’ Her gentle teasing didn’t diminish what had been a poignant trip for Gage and Taff, and one he would never forget. ‘I’m so glad you took me to meet Grandmama Louise before she passed away.’
‘She thought a lot of you.’ Gage’s smile was tinged with sadness. It had hit him hard when the old lady had died, but at least he’d had the consolation of knowing they had reconnected before it had been too late.
‘Don’t forget little Freddie’s arrival,’ Gage added.
‘How could I? He’s such a darling.’
Everyone had been thrilled when Melissa and Nathan’s dream had come true with the arrival of Frederick William Kellow in late August. Named after Daphne du Maurier’s husband, Frederick Browning (something Nathan strenuously denied, but no one really believed) and Melissa’s father, the little boy had Nathan’s auburn hair and his mum’s grey-green eyes.
‘Do you think next year will be any quieter? It will, surely?’
‘Quiet? I don’t think so, Mum.’ Toby breezed in, clutching Chloe’s hand. ‘We’ve got some news. We’re pregnant. Due in early July. We’d planned to wait a bit longer because Chloe takes her finals in late May, but she says it’ll be fine and I’m sure it will. She’s a trooper.’ Pride radiated off her son.
‘Oh, my God, that’s wonderful!’ Tamara’s grin couldn’t be wider. ‘Am I old enough to be a granny? And that’ll make you a granddad. How does that sound?’ She beamed at Gage.
‘I’d love to be able to say that, but I’m not really entitled and—’
‘You certainly are,’ Chloe said firmly and Toby nodded, backing her up. ‘Our child will be incredibly lucky to have you in his or her corner.’
Gage lowered his head, overcome with emotion.
