Cadenbury Town Does Halloween (Cadenbury Town #7)

Chapter 33

CHAPTER 33

W e make it down to breakfast, but we’re running late, so much so I don’t have time for breakfast.

“Morning everyone,” I say, popping into the kitchen. “I’m off, see you all later,” and with that, I turn and leave the kitchen. Pulling my coat on and leaving the house.

I drive to the shop today. For one because I’m running late, two because it’s cold and three because it looks like rain. I always feel lazy driving into work when it’s within walking distance, but needs must and all that. As it’s still early, there is plenty of parking and in no time at all I’m parked and opening the shop door.

“Morning shop,” I say happily, closing the door and turning the lights on.

I walk behind the counter and take my coat off. I could really do with a bacon sandwich this morning, something that the tearoom doesn’t offer. Alfred isn’t in until eleven today, by which time I would have wasted away to nothing. Well not really, but I’ll be really hungry and probably grumpy. Hunmpy ? Grugry ? Well, something anyway.

Just then the door opens, the bell jingles and Callum and Clarence walk in.

“Morning,” I say to them both.

I internally shake my head. I really must want a bacon sandwich as I can literally smell one.

“Morning young’un,” Clarence says heading for the tearoom, carrying a large cake box.

“Hey Ernest,” Callum says, walking over to me. He holds out a paper bag with the bakery logo on it. “Adhan phoned and asked if we could bring you a bacon sandwich as you missed breakfast.”

“I love that man. Thanks, Cal,” I say, taking the bag. I open it and stick my nose inside sniffing. “So good.”

Cal laughs. “As soon as the machine’s awake, I’ll bring you a latte.”

“Still my favourite,” I say to him, pulling out the first half of my sandwich and taking a bite.

“I tried putting the buttercream icing in the fridge for ten minutes before I used it and it worked. Look,” he says, pulling his phone out and flipping through. He turns his phone around and shows me a picture of a cupcake with an intricate flower design.

I swallow my bite. “Cal, that’s amazing.”

“Thanks, look there are more. I tried different techniques,” saying this he shows me more pictures.

“I told you, you could do it.”

Callum nods. “Clarence has brought the cupcakes in today to sell. So, we’ll see how well they go.”

“I can tell you now, they will be a hit,” I assure him.

“I’ve ordered some more cake decoration equipment; I can’t wait to play with them.”

“I can’t wait to see your creations. Send the pictures to Sal and show him. He’ll be impressed as well.”

Cal nods. “Will do. I’ll see you as soon as your latte is ready.”

“Thanks Cal. How much do I owe you for the sandwich?”

“Nothing. Adhan had already paid,” he tells me.

“We have the best partners,” I say happily.

“We really do.”

“How did Molly get on talking to Clarence,” I ask quietly.

“They had a really good chat and Clarence seems much better and happier now. He said that Molly reminded him that I was all better now and to focus on that and not on how injured I was,” he tells me just as quietly. “We’ve chatted about it, him and me. His fear stemmed back from when Mac died. He was filled with the fear that I would die as well. I assured him that we were going to have a long and happy life together.”

“You will,” I reply.

“He seems to believe that now, thank goodness. Now I need to help set the tearoom up.”

“You do,” I say and watch as Callum happily strides off.

I eat the rest of my sandwich and then message Adhan.

Thank you, you’re amazing and I love you x

I get a reply straight back.

Love you too sweetheart x

It’s just coming up to lunchtime when I see Sly, Ebby and the boys walking in.

“How’s your day going?” I ask them.

“Really good. Sly and Ebby transferred the money for the house,” Enoch says happily.

“We did. Adhan said we can pick the keys up later today,” Ebby says.

“Nice. We’ll have to have a welcome to the town party.”

“Really?” Xander asks.

I nod. “Oh yeah. Leave it with me and I’ll arrange something.”

“Thanks,” Sly says. “Adhan invited us round for dinner tonight to celebrate. Apparently, Emily is making Xander’s favourite dinner.”

“Nice. What are we having?”

“It’s a surprise,” he tells me grinning.

“Well, I can’t wait to see what it is.”

“We just thought we’d drop in and say ‘hello’. We’re going into Shattered Glass to pick up the boys’ creations.” Ebby says.

“I can’t wait to see what you made and don’t forget Pa wants to see them as well,” I remind them.

“Is he in today?” Enoch asks, looking around.

“He’s due in anytime around now.”

“Perfect, we can pick them up and then come back,” Xander says.

“We can. Come on then,” Ebby says.

“See you later,” Sly says, as they leave the shop.

Alfred comes over to the counter, bringing drinks with him, and handing me a latte. “Did Cal show you his decorations?”

“Thanks. Yeah, he did. They looked amazing.”

“They tasted good as well, he used flavouring in the buttercream.”

“Nice.”

“So, Justice and I were talking about having a holiday away. He was going to talk to Melody to work out when would be best. Would you mind?”

I look at him. “Why would I mind? I don’t think Justice has had a holiday in forever. Do you know where you want to go?”

“We’re thinking of somewhere hot. I’ve never been abroad, so we’re looking for somewhere sunny and secluded.”

“You’ll need a passport. You’d best get on and get that sorted so you’re not panicking nearer the time,” I suggest.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’ll message Justice to remind him to get one,” he pauses and looks at me. “Are you okay today? I know that dream messed you all up.”

I nod. “Yeah, I am. Your dad won me a massive rainbow teddy last night which cheered me up.”

“You guys should probably look at a pendant, charm, spell or something to protect your dreams.”

I nod. “Yeah. I think we tend to forget that we need to update spells etc. I’ve become lazy.”

“It’s not just you, remember there are other true witches in the house.”

“I know, I’ll chat to the others later. We should probably schedule time each month to look at everything and see if we need to update them.”

Just then Pa walks over to the counter. I’d not even heard him arrive.

“Boys,” Pa says.

“Hey Pa,” I say smiling at him.

“Hi Grandpops,” Alfred says grinning.

Pa and I burst out laughing.

“Grandpops?” Pa asks.

“Well, Ernest is Pops, so you are Grandpops,” Alfred explains.

Pa laughs again. “I’ll take that.”

“You okay?” I ask him.

He nods. “I am indeed. I saw Ebby and the others going into Shattered Glass.”

“Yep, they are picking up the boys’ creations and will be coming back in in a bit to show you,” I tell him.

“Also, you need to have one of Callum’s cupcakes, they are amazing and the decorations, top-notch,” Alfred says.

Pa smiles. “Then I will go and try one,” he turns and walks off to the tearoom.

“Your dad is always happy. When he first covered for you, he was understandably stressed. I watched as he walked in here and most of the stress fell off his shoulders.”

I nod. “He is truly happy here. Mind you so is Ma. Plus, I get to work with him which is always a bonus.”

I hear a burst of laughter from the tearoom.

“And I get to work with my Grandpops.”

I laugh at that.

“How long do you think it will be before the boys call him Grandpops? Or Nora?” Alfred asks.

“Probably not long,” I reply as I watch Pa walking towards us, three cupcakes in his hands.

“Here you go boys,” he says, handing two over and keeping one for himself.

“Thanks,” we both say, taking one. It really is a stunning decoration. It’s a multi-coloured rose, and it tastes scrummy.

“This morning Dad said you might be holding an anti-fireworks bonfire party, instead of coming to the town bonfire and display,” Alfred says.

“I’m not surprised,” Pa says before I can say anything. “Ernest detests fireworks displays.”

“How come?” Alfred asks.

“The noise, how they affect animals and veterans with PTSD, everyone going ‘oo’ and ‘ah’. No, thank you. I started off by saying I would stay home, eat chocolate and watch TV. But it’s turning into a musical film evening.”

“I can understand that about the noise. Dad asked Cam to look into silent fireworks.”

“That would be good, still won’t be coming to the display though,” I say just as the door opens and Sly, Ebby, and the boys walk in laughing.

Enoch spies Pa and comes rushing over, carrying a box. “John, do you want to see what I made?”

Pa smiles at him. “I do indeed, and what Xander made. Open your box here and we can all see your creations.”

“Okay,” Enoch replies, putting the box on the counter and opening it. Inside is a lot of packing peanuts. “This is the vase,” he says, pulling out a bubble-wrapped package. He gently opens it and passes it to Pa.

“Wow,” Pa says, looking at it. “Enoch this is lovely. Look boys,” he says, showing us.

“Wow indeed,” I say.

The vase is stunning. It’s a tall blue vase that has swirls around it.

Alfred grins at Enoch. “That is awesome.”

Pa carefully wraps it up and puts it back in the box.

Next Enoch pulls out a paperweight and some glass caterpillars. All of them were amazing and we heap praise on him.

Once we’ve seen Enoch’s creations, he moves his box so Xander can show his creations.

“Wow Xander,” Pa says looking at his vase. It’s completely different from Enoch’s but no less stunning. It’s different shades of green.

“That’s awesome Xander,” I say, “The way that green seems to shimmer.”

Xander smiles and blushes a little. “Thanks. Look at the others.”

Again, Pa wraps up the vase and puts it back in the box as Xander pulls out his paperweight and caterpillars.

“These are lovely,” Alfred says.

“You both did so well that you deserve one of Callum's cupcakes,” Pa says, wrapping the last item up and putting it in the box.

“Cupcakes?” Sly asks happily.

“Oh yeah, you’ll love them,” I tell him.

“Then lead us to cupcakes, John,” Sly says.

Ebby shakes his head, watching them walk away. “I seriously don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much cake.”

Alfred and I laugh.

“I know what you mean,” I reply.

“Jodie made Clarence cake restrict Ernest,” Alfred says with a laugh.

“Ma’s mean,” I mutter.

“Poor Ernest,” Ebby says laughing as he walks off to join his family.