The Cosy Christmas Teashop: Cakes, castles and wedding bells – the perfect feel good romance. Caroline Roberts

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СКАЧАТЬ had kept some of the handmade bunting from her own wedding day and swooped it around the old stone walls. The log fire was burning; come summer or winter it was always lit, keeping the chill off. It really was such a cosy, pretty spot. Just the place to while away an hour with a cup of tea and a slice of Victoria Sponge or chocolate cake, or whatever might take your fancy.

      The door swung open. ‘Nearly done?’ Joe’s dark hair and smiling face appeared. That smile that still melted her heart.

      ‘Yes, just give me five minutes.’

      ‘Do you fancy a walk out? It’s such a lovely evening?’ he asked.

      ‘Yeah, okay. Sounds good.’ That might be just what she needed. A nice stroll and some fresh air. It had been a tricky day to say the least.

      ‘We could take an evening picnic? It’s still warm out there.’

      Even better. ‘I’ll pack up a few of the leftovers. There’re some slices of Irene’s quiche left – a bacon, leek and mushroom today. It looks scrummy.’

      ‘Any lemon drizzle going spare?’

      ‘Yes, just a couple of slices, I think. You’re as bad as Derek and Malcolm. I think you’ve all got a lemon drizzle fetish.’

      ‘Absolutely.’ He gave Ellie his cheeky look that always made her smile. ‘You know I’ll do anything for a slice of your lemon drizzle.’ With that, he left the tearooms, turning at the last to give her a cute wink. ‘See you upstairs shortly, then.’

      Despite the challenges of the day, she felt a little better.

      The valley stretched out below them, in late-summer shades of green and gold; rectangular crop fields patterning the landscape, a tractor trundling in the distance, sheep and cattle grazing. The purple-tinged Cheviot Hills of Northumberland rose majestically on the horizon. And looking down below them, they could just make out the stone turrets and crenulations of the rooftops of Claverham Castle, there at the base of the hill they had just climbed, nestled in the valley and sheltered by a host of centuries-old trees.

      ‘You seem a bit quiet, Ellie. All okay?’

      ‘Yeah.’

      She nestled in beside him, the pair of them sat with their backs against a limestone rock. Ellie remembered when they had first looked out at that stunning view together, sharing apples, and their first kiss.

      ‘Joe … it still hasn’t happened.’ Her voice was small.

      He looked at her quizzically.

      ‘Not this month, anyhow.’ Ellie couldn’t hide the disappointment in her tone.

      ‘Oh.’

      ‘Sorry,’ she whispered.

      ‘Hey.’ He tightened his arm, which was already around her. ‘No need to be sorry. It’s just one of those things … It’ll happen soon enough, you’ll see.’

      ‘Hope so.’

      ‘And … I’m quite enjoying practising.’ He gave her another of his cheeky looks.

      For a second his comment seemed a touch callous, but she realized he was just trying to cheer her up. She was probably being hypersensitive. Her emotions felt like bare wires at the moment.

      ‘Yes, that bit is quite fun.’ She tried to join in the lighter tone of the conversation. But already it had changed for her, she knew. Sex, had moved to something more. Something wonderful that might produce a child. A child with Joe. And that yearning had grown in her.

      ‘Come on, don’t worry. It’s really early days yet. We’ll have a whole tribe of them soon enough. And then you’ll be desperate for five minutes peace. And hey …’ he looked more serious then, reached up to touch her cheek, ‘whatever happens, we’ll always have us.’

      ‘I know, I know. I’m just being silly.’

      He gave her a little squeeze. ‘No, you’re not. You just really want to be a mum. And you’ll be a great one, I know it. And, I can’t wait to be a dad, too. But maybe we’re just going to have to wait a bit longer, by the looks of it.’

      Life was good, Ellie realized that. They should just be enjoying the here and now. She had so much to be thankful for. Being married to Joe was just wonderful. She loved him as much as the day she had fallen for him nearly five years ago, probably even more so. And life in the castle was working out great. The teashop kept her busy, as well as all the wedding coordinating. There were the usual ups and downs, of course. A huge part of her dreams had already come true. But a child, Joe’s child, would make it all the more special.

      Ellie leaned into him, let her head rest against his chest. She felt the rhythm of her heart slow to the strength of his, and closed her eyes for a few seconds.

       2

      ‘Hi Ellie, it’s Lucy.’

      Just four words, but there was something in her tone, seemingly flat at first but then that lilt of panic, that made Ellie’s heart freeze. It was the day after Bank Holiday, Ellie was back in the teashop kitchens, preparing salad, ready for the lunch session. She’d just picked up the phone.

      ‘Lucy, is everything okay?’ This was not how a bride-to-be, just two weeks from her wedding day, should sound.

      ‘No.’

      Oh, no. ‘What’s happened?’

      ‘It’s Daniel … We-we’re going to have to cancel the wedding.’

      But they had seemed so well suited. Ellie had got on really well with both of them during the wedding planning. They had come to feel like friends. Was it just pre-wedding jitters?

      ‘He’s had an accident, Ellie. Come off his motorbike … he’s in a real mess.’ A sob echoed down the line.

      ‘Oh, no. Is he going to be all right?’

      There was a little hiccuppy noise, ‘I think so … but it’s not good. He’s broken that many bones, his left leg in I don’t know how many places, his ankle, collarbone, wrist and … he’s lost the feeling in his legs.’

      ‘Oh Lucy, how awful. I’m so sorry.’

      ‘But the wedding … We’re going to have to let you and the castle down. There’s no way it can happen now. And, there’s the florist, and the band booked, and you’ve probably made the cake already, and all the catering …’

      ‘Hey, that’s the least of your worries right now. What’s important here is Daniel’s recovery. We can sort out all that other stuff. Just leave it to me to contact the florist and the band.’

      Yes, some food might be wasted, Ellie realized. They had hired caterers for the main wedding meal, but she was catering for the arrival drinks and canapes, and breakfast for the overnight guests. Her special-recipe fruit cake was already made, ready to be iced, СКАЧАТЬ