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‘Yes, I have a studio up past the pub on the hill. I also run classes.’
‘I’d love to have the talent to do something like that.’ Carmen smiled. In secondary school, she’d gone through a stage of longing to be an artist. She’d even attended an evening class at the local college. She’d only quit because Adele had begged her to go kickboxing with her, which happened to be on the same day.
‘You’re welcome to come along to the studio and have a go if you like?’
‘Thank you. I might just do that.’ Carmen grinned as she transferred the rolls into a large wicker basket.
‘Right, I’d better go and set up before the customers.’ Carrie nodded towards the gates of the playground and the gathering crowd outside.
‘Catch you later.’ Diane waved as Carrie and Daniel made their way over to their stall, pausing at The Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home stall on their way.
‘Not long now.’ Walking back behind the stall, Elsie checked her watch. ‘Thank you both for setting all of this out. Sorry I took so long, I got chatting away to Flora.’
‘Don’t worry, we know what you and Flora are like when you get together.’ Diane grinned.
‘Oi!’ Elsie shook her head and chuckled. ‘Fair enough, you’re probably right.’
‘I’m always right.’ Diane laughed as she placed the last of the empty boxes beneath the stall.
‘I’m surprised Harry isn’t tempted by the bouncy castle?’ Elsie nodded towards the large castle.
‘Oh, he’ll be here.’ Diane crossed her arms. ‘He has a plan this year, though.’ Diane turned to Carmen. ‘Last year he turned up first thing, but there were a ton of kids on the bouncy castle so he wasn’t able to go on.’
Carmen frowned. ‘Why wasn’t he allowed on if the other children were?’
Diane laughed. ‘Because he’s not a child. Harry’s my partner. He’s just a big kid at heart.’
‘Oops! Sorry.’ Carmen grimaced. How could she have got that so wrong?
‘Don’t be sorry, love. It’s a running joke in the bakery family that Harry is a big kid. Teresa’s children and Wendy’s boy, Hudson, can’t get enough of him, can they?’ Elsie chuckled.
‘Nope. They certainly keep each other entertained.’ Diane grinned. ‘Harry’s enthusiastic about life, which is probably why I fell in love with him in the first place.’
‘Yes, he gave you your spark for life back, didn’t he, love?’ Elsie rubbed Diane’s forearm.
‘He did.’ Diane nodded.
‘Oh, I remember last year’s fete.’ Elsie smiled. ‘He dithered around waiting for a lull, didn’t he?’
‘That’s right. So this year he’s going to come over later. Near the finishing time of the fete. He reckons it’ll be quieter and he can have a word with Seb who owns it and ask him to keep it up for a while after.’
Elsie shook her head. ‘If he’s going to those lengths, you know he’ll be wanting you to join him.’
‘Ha-ha, yes, I’m expecting to be dragged up.’
‘Here we are. It looks like it’s time to open.’ Elsie nudged Carmen and pointed towards the playground gates as they were swung open. A crowd of excited children and adults alike swarmed through them before filtering out towards the stalls.
Almost immediately, a throng of customers surrounded the bakery stall and Carmen stepped forward. ‘Hi, what can I get you today?’
