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‘To Elsie and Ian!’ Raising his glass, Ollie looked around the room, prompting everyone to join in.
‘To Elsie and Ian.’
‘Wishing you the best for your future together.’
‘Congratulations!’
‘Happy wedding day, Nana Elsie and Grampy Ian.’ Pippa ran forward, her glass of orange juice clasped in one hand, the orange liquid sloshing precariously towards the rim.
Stepping forward, Evie took the glass, juice spilling across her hand seconds before Pippa threw her arms around her newly married found grandparents.
‘Phew, thank you.’ Teresa took the glass and passed a napkin to Evie. ‘Now that was a close call. Not that Elsie would have been in the least bit upset, but I’d have been mortified.’
Smiling, Evie dried the juice from her hands before wiping her eyes. Why was she even crying? This was a happy day. A day to celebrate. She glanced around the room. In the few short weeks she’d been staying in Penworth Bay, she’d got to know so many of the people here and the people she didn’t know by name, she recognised from the bakery or from the streets. Everyone had made her feel welcome. Welcome to the bay, in the local community, and to Elsie and Ian’s found bakery family.
She watched Jack mingling with the guests, taking natural photographs as Elsie and Ian greeted, thanked, and made time for each and every one of their guests. She’d made the right decision to stay. The right decision to take a chance on Jack, a chance of love. If she needed anymore proof that love did actually exist, she only had to look at the way Elsie and Ian held hands, the small glances between each other, the way Ian brushed Elsie’s hair from her eyes and the way Elsie brushed fluff from Ian’s suit jacket.
Epilogue
Evie opened the bakerydoor, ushering Jack inside before brushing the rainwater from his hair. ‘It’s a bit wet out there, isn’t it?’
‘Now, that’s an understatement.’ Chuckling, Jack gently cupped his hand behind her head, drawing her in for a kiss.
Closing her eyes, she could feel the cool of the rain as it dripped from his hair to hers. She didn’t care. She wrapped her arms beneath his open coat, drawing in the heat from his body and hugging his waist before stepping back and glancing around the bakery. The storm outside had kept the majority of their regulars away. Only the brave or those in need of a warm pastry or loaf of bread had made the journey. Brooke and Diane were now hugging mugs of coffee Teresa had made before disappearing back into the kitchen, whilst Wendy and Molly holed up in the wedding planning office talking with a new couple.
‘I hope Elsie and Ian are having better weather in the Cotswolds.’ Evie slipped her apron over her head. The last couple of days had felt strange without Elsie bustling about the bakery. ‘Saying that, I don’t think any amount of torrential downpours would have dampened Elsie’s excitement at honeymooning in the Cotswolds. Did you see her face when Ian told her he’d booked it?’
‘Yes.’ Jack grinned. ‘In fact, I got a fabulous shot of the moment. Even if I do say so myself.’
Laughing, Evie pecked him on the lips. ‘Always humble.’
‘That’s me.’ Jack chuckled.
‘One second and I’ll grab my coat. Thank you for coming with me today.’
‘No worries. You might want to open this before you get your coat, though.’ He pulled a bag from behind him.
