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Chapter Twenty Three
‘Is that about right?’ Holding the top rung of the ladder, Evie held the end of the paper chain to the ceiling.
‘A little to the left. No, sorry, the right. A bit more. Perfect.’ Brooke held the ladder as Evie stepped down.
‘It’s really starting to come together, isn’t it?’ Evie looked around the bakery. White swathes of fabric covered the bakery counter where the buffet would be placed, and the wedding planning counter on which the wedding cake would be displayed. The coffee and cake counter had become the bar, which Gavin had spent hours decorating. During the week, Connor and Ollie had sourced and printed old photographs of Ian and Elsie throughout the years, which Lauren, Charlie, Freya and Chris were now blu-tacking to the walls of the bakery.
Daisy, Ollie, Connor, Jessie and Nina were all at the restaurant preparing the buffet for tomorrow. Everyone else was busy repositioning tables and laying tablecloths. The four children were keeping Elsie and Ian busy upstairs and the soon-to-be happy couple were under strict instructions they were not allowed down to the bakery under any circumstances until the wedding reception tomorrow and that they were to exit and enter the flat through the kitchen door. Diane and Harry were currently hanging bed sheets from the ceiling to construct a makeshift tunnel from the door to the flat to the bakery kitchen door, so there would be no peeking.
‘What time are the table centres coming?’ Carrie finished hanging a huge ‘Just Married’ banner across the window.
‘Ten o’clock tomorrow morning.’ Diane called back from the stepladder.
‘And what time do we need to be here to get ready?’
‘The hairdressers are coming at eleven, I think. That way, hopefully they’ll be able to get through everyone before the wedding at three.’ Molly picked up a clipboard.
‘I’ll go and see how Wendy is getting on.’ Ducking through the bedsheet tunnel, Evie made her way through to the kitchen.
‘Hi, how’s it looking out there?’
‘Really nice. It’s mostly set up and ready, I think. How are you getting on?’ Evie sat on the stool opposite where Wendy was working.
Looking up from Elsie and Ian’s wedding cake, Wendy put the piping bag down and spun the cake slowly on the cake stand. ‘I think I’m almost done. I don’t know, I keep doubting myself. Do you think I need to add some more flowers?’
Evie watched as Wendy pivoted the cake. It was stunning. Classic and romantic. The white royal icing covering the three tiers was smoothed to perfection and the white icing detail was so intricate it was difficult to see all the detail without standing right next to it. As for the pale pink peonies, Evie wasn’t sure anyone would be able to tell the difference between those which Wendy had handcrafted out of icing and those in Elsie’s bouquet. ‘It’s beautiful. Stunning. I think it’s absolutely perfect just as it is.’
‘Are you sure? I’m a bit worried about this bit here. It looks a bit different from the rest of it. Just here, do you see it?’
Standing up, Evie walked towards Wendy and squinted at the cake. ‘I can’t see anything wrong. It all looks perfect.’
‘Okay. Thanks. I think I’m just doubting myself. I need to step away, don’t I?’
‘One hundred percent. You need to step away.’ Evie grinned as the kitchen door swung open.
‘Woo-hoo! It’s all set for the big day tomorrow!’ Diane clapped her hands excitedly.
‘Wow, Wendy! That cake is amazing!’ Pausing in the doorway, Freya clapped her hands on her cheeks. ‘How do you do it?’
‘Thanks.’ Wendy chewed her lip. ‘Freya, can you give me a hand carrying it to the cake fridge, please?’
‘Yes, okay.’ Freya grimaced. ‘If you trust me not to drop it.’
‘You won’t.’ Wendy laughed.
‘Carrie, where are the wedding favour coasters? Shall we put them out now to save time in the morning?’ Olivia looked over at Carrie.
‘Yes, good idea.’ Carrie slapped her forehead. ‘Although I’ve just realised, I’ve left them in the workshop. I’ll run back and get them.’
‘I’ll come with you and give you a hand.’ Olivia grabbed her coat from the pile on the steel table.
‘Me too. I’ve not seen your workshop yet.’ Freya picked up her coat.
