Page 52 of Christmas at the Little Cornish Bakery

It was no hardship for Lola to get up early on Christmas morning to do the Christmas dinner prep as she’d been awake half the night reliving the party and fizzing with excitement for Christmas Day.

Tristan had ducked out of the party early to head for the more solemn calling of Midnight Mass.

It had still been taking place, the church windows glowing with gentle candlelight, as Lola had strolled home, happily full of prosecco and cake.

She’d loitered, wondering if she could slip in at the back, pay witness to the service he confessed he’d always loved.

In the end, tiredness had swept over her, and the chill winter air had sent her scurrying for the cosiness of her duvet.

She was tired, her emotions all over the place and she was fuzzy around the edges from all the glasses of Prosecco she’d been passed.

She’d wait until morning. They would have plenty of time together after Christmas.

Plus her feet had been freezing lingering in the chill December air.

Dressed in her festive poinsettia dress again, the star-shaped earrings twinkling in her ears, Lola busied herself in the café kitchen peeling potatoes, carrots, parsnips and getting the sprouts ready.

The turkey had been delivered the previous morning and she had whipped up the stuffing the previous afternoon in-between customers.

Happiness buzzed through her; this is what she loved, cooking for people, feeding families and creating special moments.

After covering the massive turkey in foil, she placed it in the oven, knowing it would take several hours to roast.

As she retrieved the Christmas pudding from the top shelf, memories of the day they’d all come together to stir in their wishes flooded through her.

It was more than just a pudding, she thought, as she placed it in the steamer, it was symbolic of the little family she had gathered together in Cornwall and she couldn’t wait to share the day with them.

Having made herself a cup of tea and a slice of toast, Lola opened the kitchen door and stepped into the courtyard.

The sky was a pale, soft grey after days of winter sunshine.

Leaning back, she listened to the gulls calling to each other and thought about Polcarrow waking up for Christmas, the children eating chocolate for breakfast whilst opening their presents, the glasses of Buck’s Fizz sipped by harried parents as they tried to smooth over the days frantic preparation.

Her mind wandered to Tristan getting ready for one of the biggest days in the church’s calendar.

He was the biggest gift of her year. It wasn’t just the breathless kisses or the physical attraction, but the companionship and friendship.

Thinking about Tristan warmed her up from the inside.

He made her feel she could take on anything, that she no longer had to weather life alone.

Lola knew it was exactly the sort of love her grandmother had wanted her to find – safe and secure, not wild and untamed.

Lola crossed her fingers and hoped it’d last forever.

That they’d grow old together, shuffling along the seafront.

Having Tristan by her side made the future feel slightly less daunting.

The service was due to start at half past ten.

Lola had arranged to meet Freya, Angelo and Freya’s family at quarter past. Lola finished her breakfast and checked herself in the mirror, applied a bit of concealer under her eyes and touched up her lipstick.

Coat on, scarf wrapped warm around her neck, Lola left the café and made her way to the lobster pot Christmas Tree, where they’d all agreed to meet.

Her stomach churned with nerves; a proper church service was a totally different commitment from singing along to Christmas carols.

Surprised to see them already waiting for her, Lola kissed Freya and Angelo in turn. ‘Merry Christmas, my lovelies.’

They returned the greeting and Freya raised her eyebrows at Lola. ‘So? How are you this morning?’

‘Absolutely fine, despite all the Prosecco. I should turn forty more often.’

‘I’m not sure I want to add party planning to my CV just yet though,’ Freya said.

‘Oh, but you did a splendid job.’

Freya’s family arrived and more festive exchanges took place, kisses, wishes and checks about how everyone felt after what had turned into a brilliant party.

They made their way up to the church, Lola sandwiched in between Angelo and Freya’s family.

Her stomach flipped as they made their way up the path.

Tristan was standing at the doorway, all decked out in his religious finery, ready to greet them all.

Lola was pretty sure she wasn’t meant to find religious robes sexy but her knees went a little wobbly.

‘Merry Christmas,’ he bestowed along with smiles and handshakes. Lola waited as he passed from Freya to Angelo and then it was her turn.

‘Merry Christmas.’ Lola beamed at him, her smile spreading from ear to ear.

‘Merry Christmas, you look gorgeous.’ Tristan dropped his voice and held her hand for a moment longer than necessary. ‘Go in, I think Alf’s saved you a seat.’

One final squeeze of each other’s hands, and they parted.

Lola made her way inside. Alf was sitting in the front pew, with Scruff at his feet chewing a stuffed shark, trying to get the squeaker out.

They looked adorable in their hand-knitted Christmas jumpers.

Lola hurried to join him, giving him a kiss and a hug and exchanging season’s greetings.

‘Don’t you both look handsome,’ she said, signalling to their jumpers.

‘I was a bit worried he’d look better than me, but I think I’ve just pipped him to the post,’ Alf preened.

‘You certainly have,’ Lola said as she settled in beside him.

‘How are you this morning after your party? Smashing it was, haven’t had a night like it for ages. You’ll have to organise my ninetieth in the spring.’

‘It was, wasn’t it? We have Freya to thank for that. We’ll do an even better party for you, Alf.’ Lola gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before fiddling with her order of service, folding it up like a fan.

Alf placed a hand on hers. ‘Stop worrying, it’ll all be fine, you’ll see.’

‘I’ve never been to church on Christmas Day before,’ she told him. ‘I’m not sure what to expect.’

‘Well, I’ve been every year so I’ll look after you.’ Alf’s smile was warm and kind.

Lola watched as the church filled up, the whole community of Polcarrow gathering in their festive finest. Alf continued to hold her hand all through the carols and the prayers, anchoring her, as if he knew she might take flight.

The spirit of community, of togetherness touched Lola and she was surprised to find herself wiping away stray tears.

Even Scruff behaved himself for once, lying over her and Alf’s feet to keep them extra warm.

Tristan made his way to the lectern and Lola watched as he surveyed the gathered villagers, noted the relief in his eyes for a good turnout.

‘Merry Christmas to you all,’ he began, to which everyone shouted ‘Merry Christmas’ back.

Smiling, Tristan took a moment to compose himself.

Lola couldn’t take her eyes off him as he looked at his notes, then back over the congregation, taking in everyone until his eyes found hers.

Her heart skipped several beats and the only thing that reminded her that she was still in the church in Polcarrow was Alf squeezing her hand, anchoring her to the spot.

Without breaking her gaze, Tristan lifted his sheet of paper, stared at it for a few long seconds before putting it back down again.

‘I spent the past few days agonising over what to write, what to tell you, what to wish you. But all the words that came seemed trite.’ He turned to address the congregation.

‘But there is one thing that is never trite and that is community, harmony and love.

Three things we have in abundance in Polcarrow.

I thank you all for welcoming me as your vicar this past year, and I thank you all for weathering the changes other newcomers have brought to the village.

This is an exciting time to be in Polcarrow and I hope moving forward we can embrace the changes we are blessed with and find a way to live in harmony.

‘Harmony is important, it’s the gentle flow of the waves against the shore, the keeping rhythm of the day.

The sea reminds us of this daily and I am thankful to be so humbled by its ongoing presence.

’ Tristan paused. ‘But what I want to speak to you about today is even more important, even more precious. Something that makes us richer than we can ever imagine. That thing is love.’

Lola swallowed as his eyes rejoined hers, softened with emotion. Almost as if she knew what was coming her hand went to her mouth, tears in her eyes.

‘One thing I didn’t expect to find here was love.

But love was waiting for me in the most spectacular, unexpected way.

We all read about or watch films about love that comes in and sweeps us off our feet, a love that will never allow us to be the same.

I was content with the gentle love I had for God and for my parishioners to carry me through my days.

In fact, I counted myself lucky to be blessed with this peaceful love.

I never believed the other more romantic love was there for me until I arrived in Polcarrow and was dazzled by a woman with a vision, one she wasn’t going to let anyone deter her from.

A vision that included the most marvellous scones most of us have ever eaten and a passion for the village she had found herself in.

This enthusiasm was infectious, it rallied against all the odds and quite frankly, Lola, when I saw you, it was love at first sight. ’

Lola gasped with shock at the public declaration, which made Alf chuckle and pull her in for a hug.

‘I know some people may not have matched us together but you do not get to choose who you love, if anything, love chooses you and I wouldn’t want to change anything about who it chose for me.

Lola, I realise in you it isn’t just love I’ve found, but a confidante, a friend, in fact, the best of friends.

Without you, I am only half a being. Everything in life is much more fun knowing you are by my side.

This might seem unconventional, but I believe that when you meet the one, you know, and I think we both know, Lola, that we’re meant for each other. ’

Lola watched, wide eyed as Tristan made his way down from the lectern and, kneeling in front of her, took her hand from Alf.

‘Lola, will you marry me?’

Somewhere behind them Freya let out a whoop of delight as Lola totally and utterly dissolved.

‘I don’t know why I’m crying, sobbing and laughing at the same time.

’ Lola attempted to wipe the tears away.

She took a few deep, composing breaths as she looked at Tristan, the love she had never expected to find.

Reaching out, she pushed his hair off his face and with a slightly wicked smile, accepted with a wink, ‘Thanks for asking, you know, I do rather fancy being a vicar’s wife. ’

To a round of applause, Tristan swept Lola off the pew and into his arms. She knew once and for all that this was exactly where she was meant to be, her own happy-ever-after just as she was meant to find it.