Chapter 39
39
C ally walked around the lower floor of Nina’s harbour property to check that everything was done. She stood by the door with Nina’s checklist and surveyed what they had put together for the speakeasy for Nina’s part in the Chowder Festival. The two of them, with Nina’s husband Robby’s help at times, had worked hard and it showed. Cascades of sparkles ran down the walls in a glowy twinkle of warm white lights. Various tables had been begged and borrowed from all over Lovely Bay, each one had been covered in beautiful white tablecloths. On top of the tables, thrifted vases and the vintage tins Nina had found were stuffed full of ginormous bunches of pink and blue hydrangeas stolen from various gardens around the third smallest town in the country. The hydrangeas had been Cally’s idea. Their impact was fabulous .
She ran her eyes down the list, checked a few things off, made sure each place setting was correct, and then got on with the last job of laying out the napkins beside the plates. Just like the tablecloths, the napkins were all made of pretty white linen, and the sailor's knot rope napkin rings finished the whole thing off. As Cally went around placing the napkins on each of the tables, she was both quite pleased and surprised at how well the decorating had gone. What she and Nina had started with had been a fairly large, nondescript back area of Nina’s office that hadn’t lent itself to a speakeasy in any shape or form. Now, through their endeavours, it was an intimate little place ready to welcome Lovelies into its fold.
Cally was just putting the finishing touches on the table settings when she heard Colin's booming voice echoing through from the backyard area.
'Hello? Anyone about? It's only me, come to check everything's ship-shape! Hello! Ahoy there.'
Cally smiled at Colin's enthusiasm. He was so hyper about the festival he was almost fizzing with it all. 'In here, Colin!'
A moment later, Colin's beaming face appeared around the doorframe. 'Ah, our Cally! Should've known you'd be here, making sure everything's perfect. Where’s Nina?’
‘She’s popped over to pick up Faye.’
‘Ahh, right. How's it all coming along? Looks like you’ve got everything well under control.'
Cally replied, gesturing around at the tables. 'Pretty well, I think, compared to what we started with.’
Colin stepped fully into the room. His eyes widened as he took in the elaborate setup.
'Blimey. You two have done well. You’ve outdone yourselves. Best one I’ve seen yet, I think.'
‘We’ve fussed over every little detail. No stone went unturned. Nina has lists of lists and then a list of those lists.’
Colin chuckled, shaking his head. 'Sounds about right. Our Nina doesn't do things by halves, does she? But that's what makes these events so special when everyone throws themselves into it.'
'True,' Cally agreed. ‘All we need now is to make sure our Faye goes down easily this evening and we’ll be laughing.’
‘How about the chowder? That's the real star of the show. How’s that going?'
Cally smiled. ‘I’m no expert like you, but it’s amazing.’ She led him upstairs to the kitchen area, where several large pots were simmering on the hob. 'The traditional version served in the sourdough.’
Colin lifted the lid of a pot and inhaled deeply. 'Oh, that smells divine. I might have to sneak a bowl.'
'Don't you dare. She’ll have a fit. How’s your organisation going?’
‘Excellent, my end. No problems yet, but we’ve not even started, so I’m sure we’ll have a few. It’s the most bunting we’ve ever had, that I know for a fact.’
‘It’s a sight to behold for sure.’
‘I might just put a bit more over by the church there.' Colin chuckled.
Cally wrinkled her nose. ‘More? We’re drowning in it! I'm not sure Lovely Bay can handle any more bunting. We'll be visible from space at this rate.'
'Nonsense,' Colin replied, puffing out his chest. 'You can never have too much bunting. It's all part of the festival! All joking aside, I've a feeling it's going to be our best year yet. It’s all come together so well, and let me tell you, some years, it doesn’t happen like that.'
‘Aww, that’s good to hear.’
‘Actually, there was something I wanted to mention to you. We're having a bit of a Lovelies gathering later. It’s a tradition that we all go up to the lighthouse after the first night. Sort of an after-party, if you will. Did Birdie tell you?’
Cally nodded. ‘Yes, yes she did.’
‘Rightio, good. I just wanted to make sure she hadn’t forgotten.’
‘What time does that go on until?’
‘Oh, whenever, really. It’s normally not too late because everyone is shattered. It's just a chance for all involved to have a few drinks and a debrief. Nothing too formal.'
‘I’m there with bells on.’
Colin beamed. 'Right, you are. I'll leave you to it, seeing as everything is under control here. I probably won’t see you again now, but I'll see you later at the lighthouse, yes?'
Cally nodded. 'I'll be there.’
As Colin left, Cally shook her head fondly. Living in Lovely Bay was never dull; that was for certain. Going back downstairs for one final check she smiled to herself. She’d actually quite enjoyed helping Nina and being part of the festival. The community thing was nice and there was a good feeling of optimism and celebration in the air. She might not have Logan, but something was telling Cally that things were okay and that it was going to be a very Lovely Bay kind of a night. That sounded good enough for her, even though there was a sorely missing puzzle piece right in the centre of her heart. She took out her phone and decided that she would message Logan. She tapped, hit send and her stomach lurched. As she watched the message indicate that it had been delivered, she sighed as there were no little flashing dots. Hopefully, at some point, Logan would respond.