Chapter Thirty-Six
Ava looked around the shop. It was ready.
She had put out the last of the Texan inspired outfits she could muster and replenished the formal gown rail — it’s popularity taking her by surprise as it seemed almost the whole village had “fallen in love with” or “simply must have” one of the dresses or another.
The takings leading up to the festival had set new records for the shop.
It was a welcome bonus as those hidden costs for the move, and Mary’s ambition for a larger, better-equipped rescue centre had started to have an impact.
Ava knew she needed to thank Gino. He’d been right about the timing, and not just because his mum and sister had visited and spent a considerable sum on outfits.
Realising the time, Ava opened the door and switched the sign as Flo and a chilly breeze blustered in. ‘Well that’s not what the weather forecast promised is it?’
Ava shut the door. ‘No! All week my weather app has been saying sunshine for today. I woke this morning and it had changed to cloud with a forty per cent chance of rain. I could cry.’
‘Nonsense! Let’s have none of that. The day will be a success, you mark my words.’
Ava welcomed Flo’s optimism, but with grey clouds in the sky and a chilly wind blowing, she wondered if people would take a punt and come out and support the festival.
Flo unbuttoned her coat and placed a laden carrier bag on the shop counter, before pulling out a large tin and popping the lid off. ‘Here’s my tomato soup cake.’
‘Your what?’ Ava screwed up her nose and walked to the counter.
‘Yes, I know it sounds an odd ’un but rest assured it tastes every bit as good as it looks.’
Ava was surprised to see an appealing looking cake, encased in cream cheese frosting. The unexpected sweet smell made her mouth water. ‘Maybe we shouldn’t say what’s in it.’
‘Nonsense. We have to what with allergies and what not — besides folks’ll be intrigued. You’ll see. It was a big hit at my cousin’s funeral.’
‘Oh.’ Ava didn’t want to associate the festival weekend with a wake and tried to focus on the positive as she put the lid back on the tin.
‘Let’s hope you’re right. I’m sure it will be a first for many.
I’ll pop it out the back with the cakes the other volunteers have dropped off.
Once things start picking up, I’ll put them out.
I tried to put the books out the front earlier but the wind was flapping the covers.
I’d turn them but then they’d be upside down to passers-by. ’
‘I’m sure the wind will pass, and with a bit of luck it will take the cloud with it.’
Ava hoped Flo was right. ‘And you’re sure you’re happy to stay and man the till this morning?’
‘Of course, it’s blowing a hooley out there.’
‘Flo!’
‘I’m teasing, you daft beggar. It’s going to pass.
And don’t you worry the rota is all sorted: Thursday Sue is coming in shortly and we’ll be as right as r — whoops let’s not risk saying the r word.
’ Flo smiled before continuing. ‘Monday Chris is covering this afternoon and Friday Pat is coming in to help her. Though you know how Friday Pat is. She loves to stand and chat — I’ll have a word with Chris, make sure she keeps her on task. ’
Ava smiled. She knew the shop was in safe hands and how lucky she was to have so many wonderful volunteers, even if they did insist on referring to each other by the day they worked as well as their name.
‘I’ve got Knit and Natter in the village hall from one o’clock, so I’ll have a nosey around the stalls before I go and set up.
’ Flo slipped on her name badge and glasses, readying herself at the till.
‘All you need to focus on is checking that everyone’s where they should be and that everything’s sorted for the dog show. ’
‘The dog show! Flo, I’ve forgotten to buy the runner-up prizes. I knew there was something. I’ve got the rosettes for first place in each category and the best in show trophy but nothing for the runners-up. What shall I do?’ Ava looked around the shop, seeing if there was anything suitable.
Flo raised her hand halting Ava mid-panic. ‘Leave it to me! I’ve got just the thing at home. Perfect prizes for an animal show. The dogs will love ’em.’
‘Really?’ Ava thought about the tomato soup cake and wondered if Flo’s idea of perfect matched her own.
‘Trust me.’
‘Maybe I’ll get some dog treats and sweets or something. It will be mostly children who enter I’m sure and—’
‘Nonsense. I told you I’ve got just the thing. I’ll pop home before Knit and Natter and will drop them down to the arena on the green. You’ve no need to worry. Oh, and there now, here’s our first customer.’
The shop door rattled open and the bell rang.
‘Hello.’ Ava smiled at Mrs Dent who had owned the Post Office for as long as she could remember.
‘Hello, Ava dear. My joints say rain is brewing and I remembered you sold brollies.’
Ava tried to maintain her smile. ‘Yes, we do. I’m sure Flo will be able to help you find one.’ Clutching the tomato soup cake and taking Flo’s coat, Ava rolled her eyes and headed for the back of the shop.
Looking at her watch, she realised she’d just enough time to make Flo a cup of tea before heading out to the square to meet Dave, the grandson of her old school headmistress.
With some persuasion from his gran, a regular visitor to the charity shop, he’d donated a sound system and his compère skills for the weekend.
Waiting for the kettle to boil, Ava looked at the flier she’d had printed, listing all the events, sponsors and participating shops and cafes over the next two days.
She felt proud at the achievement of bringing it all together — and sick as she registered the countless opportunities for it all to go wrong. It’s going to be OK.
‘Right I’m here. What do you need?’
Ava jumped and turned; she had never been happier to see Mary.
‘Oh, and here’s my offering. Ultimate, vegan, chocolate fudge cake.’
Ava looked at the large chocolate cake Mary proffered on a plate.
‘That looks amazing! Did you bake it?’
‘Of course, didn’t you know baking is one of my many talents?’
‘No!’ Ava took the cake, the sight and smell making her mouth water. ‘Why did I not know this about you before now?’
‘Because I’m lying! Of course I didn’t bake it, you dozy mare. I got the café to knock it up for me.’
‘Really? I didn’t know they did that. It looks and smells delicious! And it puts my lemon drizzle from a packet to shame.’
‘I’m sure it’s great. What else have you got?’ Mary looked at the tins spread over the sorting table.
‘Two Victoria sponges, a carrot cake, a fruit cake, a coffee and walnut, and Flo’s tomato soup cake. Don’t ask, apparently it’s a hit at funerals.’
‘Of course!’
They both giggled.
While Ava made tea, Mary sliced the cakes into doorstop wedges and put them under glass cloches with a cake slice. No matter what she tried in terms of additional fundraising in the shop, nothing beat a cake stall when it came to achieving the optimum ratio of time, effort and profit.
After delivering Flo’s tea, Ava looked at Mary who was scraping the chocolate frosting from the knife she’d used to cut up the cake she’d donated.
‘I’ve got to see a man about the music and check everyone is sorted. Can you help?’
‘Sure, do you want me to deal with Mr Music?’
‘No, thank you. But maybe you could start at The Brown Dog and work your way up that side of the street, just checking everyone is in place and all sorted, while I take this side?’ Ava was sure Gino would be dressed in his cowboy outfit, a fact that might help him register on Mary’s radar.
‘And then it should be time for you to set up the dog show on the green. Are you still OK to do that?’
‘Of course, and while I remember, Henry said he’d see you at twelve o’clock in the square unless there are any changes, in which case let him know.’
Ava felt heat flush in her cheeks as her stomach did a nervous flip.
She had avoided Henry and the grounds of Dapplebury House, and successfully managed to coordinate everything related to the move via Mary, so far, but today she was going to have to face him.
She’d known she’d have to at some point, especially with the lodge moving to Dapplebury House.
It was only now that she realised putting it off meant she would be facing him, for the first time since the revelations about their parents, in public.
Would that make it harder or easier? She didn’t know but a glance at her watch told her she’d find out in a few short hours.
Having checked in with Dave the DJ and ensured that everyone was ready on her side of the street, Ava realised it was almost time to declare the festival officially open.
Dave had assured her he’d be all set for her to give a brief speech before he launched into his summer tunes set.
Deciding, while she waited, to switch her phone to aeroplane mode for fear of it ringing or giving feedback Ava saw a message from Mary.
Taking in the sight of the photograph she had sent of Gino, with Luna in his arms, Ava smiled.
Who can resist the charms of a muscled Italian man, dressed as a cowboy, holding a Springador puppy?
Ava really hoped, not Mary. Looking at the mischievous dog, Ava was pleased she’d arranged a pet sitter for Myrtle and Blossom.
Knowing they were sorted and happy meant one less thing to worry about.