Chapter Forty
Jessica quickly changed as quietly as she could and then trudged down the snowy lane to wait by the bakery door for Struan to open up.
‘Morning,’ he said gruffly, hurrying along to her, his keys jangling.
‘Good morning,’ she said cheerily.
He eyed her suspiciously. ‘You’re awfy happy for this time of the day.’
She grinned. ‘That’s because it’s Christmas soon and it’s been snowing.’
‘It’s bloody freezing,’ he grumbled, unlocking the door. ‘Come on then, two more shifts to go and that will be us for a good few days.’
She was very glad he had taken the decision to close early on Christmas Eve and not open again until the thirtieth. That meant no early morning alarm calls for five mornings which would be bliss. Especially if she could enjoy some of them with Reuben.
‘I’ll even put on the Christmas tunes for you today. As a treat.’
Jessica laughed. Struan had banned all Christmas music in the bakery as he said it made him feel completely un-Christmassy.
‘I used to quite like that Mariah Carey woman,’ he’d said to her and Gillian the other day.
‘Then that bloody song, “All I Want for Christmas” was in every shop I went into from October onwards and that was it. Killed it for me. I just can’t look at her in the same way. ’
Gillian had looked at Jessica. ‘I’m sure she’s devastated,’ she said drily. ‘I’m not sure you would necessarily have been her type anyway, Struan.’
He looked affronted. ‘You never know. Lots of American women go for Scottish men. Look at Outlander. That’s all the rage in the States.’ He stood there looking quite indignant in his baker’s overalls and hat.
‘I don’t like to break it to you but Outlander’s main star is Sam Heughan,’ said Gillian.
Struan had shrugged. ‘And? What’s your point?’
Jessica couldn’t help laughing. ‘I think what she’s trying to say is that she doesn’t really think he is representative of your average Scottish bloke.’
Struan had harumphed and gone out back muttering to himself.
Now as they switched on the ovens and got ready to bake for the day ahead, Struan turned on the music.
The first song to play was “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and they quietly got on with the baking, the soft hum of festive music filling the kitchen.
Neither Jessica or Struan said much, quite content in their shared routine that they had grown used to over the past couple of weeks.
Jessica loved the sound of the mixers, the beeping ovens and the scent of cinnamon that filled the air.
‘Well, good morning,’ said Gillian, running in a couple of hours later looking flustered. ‘Sorry I’m a bit late. I meant to try and come in a bit earlier to help, but I slept in.’
‘Hey, Gill, don’t worry it’s all in hand. And now it’s the twenty-third of December, Struan says we are finally allowed to have Christmas music on in the bakery.’
‘Yes, I can hear that. Though not the most obvious choice, is it?’ She crinkled her nose in disgust. ‘Is that Luther Vandross? I didn’t know he even had any Christmas hits.’
‘He has lots. And there is nothing wrong with Luther,’ said Struan firmly. ‘At least he can sing, unlike the young numpties of today.’ He turned and disappeared through the back.
Gillian shrugged. ‘I suppose it makes a change from Slade and Shakin’ Stevens.’
Jessica sniggered. ‘I’ve a feeling this could be a whole compilation of Luther’s Christmas songs.’
Gillian groaned. ‘Well at least it shows he’s not a complete Scrooge. And he keeps telling me how much he loves the gingerbread house. Struan never praises anything. I think you’re maybe making him lighten up a bit in his old age.’
Struan wandered through from the back. ‘I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Anyway, look what I’ve got.’ He held up three red Santa hats. ‘I’ve even got us some special hats for when we open.’
‘Have you been talking to my dad?’ said Jessica, remembering his Santa suit. She wondered when he was planning to wear it. She wouldn’t be surprised if her mum had hidden it away so that he never wore it.
‘Just trying to inject some festive cheer into the workplace,’ he said drily. ‘Let’s get to it. We have a village to feed and standing about here chatting won’t get the bread baked.’
Gillian rolled her eyes at Jessica. ‘What has happened to him? He’s never bothered with anything Christmassy before.
See what I mean? I am putting it all down to you.
You’ve definitely changed him. For the better.
’ She paused as she heard the next song start and had to stifle a laugh as Struan strutted around the kitchen snapping his fingers and wiggling his hips. ‘I may have spoken too soon.’
He looked over at her. ‘What? It’s “The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody)”. How can you not want to dance?’
‘Erm, quite easily,’ said Gillian. ‘That’s one of the worst Christmas songs I’ve ever heard.’
Jessica grinned at how much she loved working with them both. In that moment she felt as if the magic of Christmas was taking hold.
The next hour passed quickly as they worked together to make sure all the loaves and pastries and cakes were ready for when they opened the doors just after eight.
‘You’re looking very pleased with yourself this morning,’ said Gillian, looking at her quizzically. ‘Anything you want to share?’
Jessica shook her head and feigned innocence. ‘Just happy to be at work with you both.’
‘Hmm,’ she said suspiciously. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever glowed in the workplace. But, okay, if you insist. I don’t think you’re telling me the entire truth,’ she continued knowingly, ‘but that’s okay. You can tell me in your own good time. But if I’m honest, you look like you’ve had sex.’
Jessica managed to keep her expression blank. She did want to tell Gillian about Reuben but she also didn’t want to break their promise to each other to keep things between just them for now. She wondered if Gillian would be surprised.
Gillian looked at her, eyes wide open. ‘Did you have sex last night?’ she said in a stage whisper.
Jessica shook her head. ‘No.’ She could feel her cheeks flushing bright red, but before her expression gave her away totally Struan reappeared just at the right time.
‘Right,’ said Struan. ‘That’s us just about ready to open. Make sure you’re wearing your hats.’
‘Can I make a suggestion?’ said Gillian.
‘Of course,’ said Struan. ‘Though it depends what it is.’
‘Then I would suggest you change the music. Luther’s been on a loop for a while now and he could do with a wee rest. So could my ears and you also don’t want to scare the punters away.’
He nodded and scratched his chin. ‘Fair point. Let’s see what else I’ve got.’
Gillian shook her head. ‘This could go anywhere,’ she said, wincing as she looked at Jessica.
They braced themselves as they waited for Struan to select his next song. ‘Oh,’ she said, as Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” started to play. ‘That was unexpected.’
‘I’ve decided to give her another chance,’ he said, walking back through. ‘It is Christmas after all. And it’s snowing.’
‘I’m sure Mariah will be delighted,’ said Gillian.
Jessica frowned as she saw her dad standing at the door. She hurried over. ‘Hi, Dad. I wasn’t expecting to see you here so early. We’re not quite ready to open.’
His face was white. ‘Oh, Jess, love. I couldn’t get hold of you on your phone and I didn’t want to wake your brother.’
She felt panic setting in. She never had her phone to hand when she was at the bakery. ‘What is it? What’s wrong?’
‘It’s your mum. She’s had a fall. I don’t know what to do.’
‘Where is she now?’
‘At home. She told me to come and get you.’
Jessica looked at Struan. ‘I need to go. Sorry, Struan.’
‘Off you go, hen, and don’t give it another thought. Me and Gillian will be fine. You go and make sure your mum is okay.’
She pulled off her apron and hat and ran through the back to grab her coat and bag.
Gillian hugged her. ‘Call us and let us know if we can do anything.’
‘Thanks, I will. Come on, Dad. Let’s go.’