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Chapter Eight
‘That’s the last ofthem.’ Carmen slid a plastic tub onto the stall and looked around. The school playground was filled with games and stalls, there was even a bouncy castle positioned towards the back of the playground, on the edge of the playing field.
‘Great, thanks, love.’ Elsie took the box and began transferring the cupcakes to a cake stand.
‘I do love the summer fete.’ Diane finished laying out the pasties and came to stand with Carmen. ‘I know I’ve said that a lot, but I do.’
‘It looks as though a lot of visitors are expected.’ Judging by the amount of stock the other stallholders were arranging on their stalls and by the amount of bakery goods they’d brought with them, Carmen could only guess it might even get busier than the bakery itself.
‘Oh, you’ll meet some of our previous volunteers here, too. Lauren is a teacher here, so she’s bound to come and Carrie’s partner, Daniel, teaches at the school too, so she’ll likely be about.’
‘Oh, hold on. Flora and Ginny are here with a couple of the dogs. I’ll just go and say hello.’ Elsie patted them both on the shoulder. ‘I’ll be right back.’
Carmen watched as Elsie walked towards two women sitting behind a stall opposite. An abundance of raffle prizes filled the surface, and two dogs sat quietly next to the stall. ‘Are they raising money for a charity or something?’
‘That’s right. Flora owns The Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home. It’s over in West Par. Carrie and Daniel, who I told you about, volunteer there and take the dogs out for walks.’ Diane smiled. ‘I love the idea of doing that, don’t you? I keep saying that though and really should make the effort to start volunteering there. I just never seem to get around to it, but one day I’m determined to.’
‘Yes, that sounds as though it’d be really rewarding.’
‘Exactly! That’s what I keep thinking.’ Diane shrugged and looked down at the plastic boxes piled at the end of the stall. ‘I guess we should get this lot out before the summer fete opens to the public.’
Carmen nodded and began arranging doughnuts onto a tray. The sun was warm on her shoulders and it was promising to be a lovely day.
‘Diane!’
Looking up, Carmen watched as a woman balancing a large box on her hip made her way towards them.
‘Carrie! Hi, Daniel.’ Diane pressed the lid onto an empty box and slipped it beneath the stall before turning to Carmen. ‘I was just saying to Carmen that we’d see you two here. Carmen, this is Carrie and Daniel. Carrie and Daniel, this is Carmen. She’s volunteering at the bakery at the moment.’
‘Lovely to meet you, Carmen.’ Carrie smiled as she leaned the box on the edge of the bakery stall.
‘Yes, great to meet you.’ Daniel grinned.
‘Have you got a stall here too?’ Diane nodded towards the box.
‘Yep, I’m just over there.’ Carrie nodded towards a stall in front of them. ‘Daniel’s helping me. Although, being as it looks as though we’re right next to the dogs, I doubt I’ll get much help.’ She looked across at Daniel and laughed. ‘Isn’t that right?’
Daniel chuckled. ‘I’ll do my best not to venture over too much.’
Carrie grinned. ‘Don’t worry, if I hadn’t committed to the stall, I would more than likely be hanging out with them, too.’
‘What are you selling?’ Carmen indicated the box.
‘Pottery bits and pieces. I have some vases and plaques and then some little animal figurines so people can paint them.’
‘Oh wow, did you make them?’ Carmen raised her eyebrows as Carrie lifted a vase from the box, followed by a small figurine of a cat.
