Page 8 of The Wedding Cake Wish
She lifts her glasses. ‘That would be lovely, darling. Andone of your divine pecan nut and choc chip cookies, please?’
‘Okay. Back in a jiffy.’
I go through to the kitchen, feeling a little calmer. Theinvitations will be going out in the next few days. She listened to me when Iobjected to the tree slaughter, so maybe, with a little more persistence, I canget her to trim the guest list as well. And if we can’t cancel the icesculpture, maybe the best thing to do is just enjoy it. It’ll be a laugh, atany rate, and none of Mum’s wacky ideas can detract from the fact that Rob andI will be saying ‘I do’ in front of our closest friends and family, which isall I’ve ever wanted. With a little compromise (mainly on my side, but that’sokay), both Mum and I can enjoy this wedding in our own individual way...
A shriek from the drawing room startles me and I almost dropthe teapot.
‘What’s wrong?’ I call, rushing through.
‘Ssh! Listen.’ Mum holds out her hand like a stop sign asshe leans forward, her gaze fixed on an item on the local evening news. And asI watch, the newsreader announces:The well-known wedding cake designer hasblamed the demise of her business on the financial crisis and a new era ofsaving rather than spending...
Mum turns to me in horror, her hands in her hair. ‘It’s LuluLongberry. She’s gone out of business. Goodness gracious, what on earth are wegoing to do about a wedding cakenow?’
Ruby
CHAPTERFOUR
I’m at work in the True Loaf Bakery, holding the fortwhile Anita is on her break, when Fen walks in, looking rather flustered.
‘Are you okay?’ I ask.
‘Yes, fine thanks. I just need some sugar. We’re running lowin the café.’
‘How’s the wedding plans?’ I ask, as I hand her a largecanister. ‘Everything going smoothly?’
She sighs. ‘Not really. Our wedding cake supplier has gonebust. Which is such a shame because her cakes are gorgeous. But...’She shrugs.
‘You’re back to square one on the wedding cake front.’
‘Exactly. Mum’s terrified it’s too late now to book someonegood.’
‘Have you tried ringing around?’
She nods. ‘Did that first thing this morning. No luck sofar. Mum’s frantic.’
‘Hmm.’ I think hard. Then I give a mischievous smile. ‘Whynot tell her you’ve managed to gettheRuby Rose Creations to do thecake?’
She stares at me and then the penny drops. ‘Oh, my God,you’re an expert in patisserie, aren’t you, Ruby?’
‘Ha! That makes me sound very grand and I’m definitely not.’
‘No, but you’ve made celebration cakes before, haven’t you?’Her eyes are shining expectantly.
‘Well, yes...but I was just joking when Isaid – ’
‘Oh, will you do it, Ruby? Please? I just want a simple cakewith some frosting. No fruit cake. And nothing really fancy. I’ve tasted yourchocolate fudge cake and it’s to die for.’
I hesitate. ‘I mean, I could do whatever you wanted. Simpleor fancy. But are you sure?’
‘Yes, totally sure. Honestly, Ruby. You’d be a life-saver.’
‘What about your mum? Would she be okay with me making thecake? She likes things to be just right by the sound of things.’
Fen sighs. ‘You could say that. Mrs Perfectionist. It’s funnybecause she wasn’t always like that. She was actually a bit of a rebel when shewas a young girl.’
‘A rebel? Marjery?’ I laugh. ‘I don’t believe it. I’d havethought growing up in a manor house, she’d be anythingbuta rebel.’ Isuddenly realise what I’ve said and immediately start backtracking. ‘I mean,not that that applies to you.’
She laughs. ‘It’s fine. No, actually, Mum had quite amiserable childhood.’
