Page 53 of Christmas at the Little Cornish Bakery

Lola paused in the kitchen doorway, and smiled at the scene before her.

Her dream for the café had always been for it to be more than just a place for people to grab a cup of tea, but a place for people to gather.

Somewhere lost souls would feel safe, where people could sit and make new friends, exchange stories and impart wisdom.

She observed Angelo bravely being interrogated by Freya’s sister, Tristan talking animatedly to Freya’s parents and Alf, head of the table, regaling Freya with stories.

These people, her friends, her chosen family, were the heart any successful business needed.

Watching them chatter as they passed the starters around, Lola was thrilled to think of what the next year would hold.

A big birthday for Alf, the final work on Bayview and, of course, a wedding to plan.

She caught Tristan’s eye. First thing to do after Christmas was shop for a ring, Tristan had promised her a proper diamond, even if Lola was rather taken with the glorious piece of costume jewellery he’d presented her with to seal their engagement.

She waved away any offers to help and went back to finishing off the cooking, pleased with how everything had turned out, enjoying a moment of peace in her kitchen.

She’d made a copy of the photo of Ruby with Alf and Charlie and tacked it onto the noticeboard where she kept the weeks’ planned bakes.

Lola touched the photo, her talisman, and thought it appropriate that her ring should have a ruby in it.

After all, without her grandmother’s legacy she would not be here. She would not have met Tristan.

Once everything was ready, Lola transferred the food onto serving plates and carried them through into the café where gentle Christmas music played in the background.

‘Dinner’s ready!’ she called, as she placed the large plate of turkey on the table, which instantly caught Scruff’s attention.

The tables in the seating area had been pushed together in a long line by Angelo and Freya’s dad that morning.

The crockery was a bit mismatched but Alf was lording it up at the head of the table, Scruff by his side waiting for a stray pig in blanket.

Freya was curled around Angelo, who was the only one not wearing a paper cracker crown, despite Freya’s mum trying to convince him to put one on.

Olivia was rearranging the table settings, stuffing the empty cracker tubes into a bin liner her dad was holding out.

Freya got up and helped Lola carry the rest of the dishes out before slipping back beside Angelo.

Lola smiled at Tristan as she placed the roast potatoes on the table.

‘Do you have enough wine? Cranberry sauce? There’s more gravy,’ Lola called out as everyone began to help themselves.

Tristan tugged at her hand, instructing her to sit down.

Once she was seated and helping herself to roast potatoes, Tristan tapped the side of his wine glass.

‘I propose a toast, to Lola—’ he beamed at her as everyone raised their glasses ‘—my future wife, whose magic has made today that little bit extra special.’

Blinking back a fresh set of happy tears, Lola kissed him, which was greeted by a round of applause and some whoops of joy. Snuggling up to him, she gazed around the table, at her adoptive family, her chosen home and the people who helped bring her sparkle to life.