Epilogue
‘ E eek!’ Little Hudson screeched as he and Pippa tipped a bucket full of seawater over Diane’s husband’s head.
Blinking in surprise, it took Harry a moment to realise what had just happened as his face contorted from shock to amusement.
Jumping up, he grabbed a strand of seaweed from the sand beside him and ran across the beach towards Pippa and Hudson.
‘That’s it. When I’ve finished with you two, you’ll be picking seaweed out of your hair for a week! ’
Tilly laughed as she lifted her head from where she had been resting it in Isaac’s lap to watch the commotion.
The last few weeks had sped by, filled with working at the bakery, applying for jobs and listening to stories about Elsie’s family – her family.
With the summer tourist season coming to an end, Elsie and Ian had suggested they meet at the beach for the weekly bakery family get-together instead of the usual dinner at the bakery.
Of course, everyone had jumped at the idea, and here they were, lounging on picnic blankets on the sand, their bellies full from a huge picnic, watching the children - and Harry - enjoy the last of the sunshine before the evening drew to a close.
‘He’s more of a child than them all put together.’ Diane rubbed baby Esme’s back as she lay against her shoulder. ‘Look at him, getting Rueben and Toby to help him.’
‘You should go and join in.’ Tilly grinned at Isaac and raised her eyebrows.
Chuckling, Isaac shook his head and rubbed his hip. ‘I would love to, but I’m just not the same after the woman I love mowed me down with her car. For the second time.’
Tilly opened her mouth to retort before frowning. ‘What did you say?’
‘My hip.’ He grinned at her, his eyes shining.
‘No, not that bit.’ Tilly shook her head. She needed to hear it again. What he’d called her.
‘The woman I love?’ Leaning forward, he rested his forehead against hers. ‘I love you, Tilly, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.’
‘You love me?’ Tilly whispered, her eyes fixed on his.
‘I do. I love you. And I’ll take all the hits and bumps from your car along with it.’ His lips twitched at the corners.
‘I love you too, Isaac. I really do.’ Leaning forward, she brought her hands to his cheeks and kissed him. She could hardly believe how much her life had changed in the space of a few weeks.
‘Here you go, love.’ Terry’s gruff voice sounded from behind them as a key dropped into her lap.
Drawing away from Isaac, Tilly looked up as Terry hobbled towards the camping chair Isaac had set up for him. She looked down into her lap and picked up the key he’d given her. ‘Is this what I think it is?’
‘It is.’ Terry nodded in confirmation. ‘There’s still a bit of work to be done, of course. But it’s now habitable, and the Groves have said you can move in whenever you like.’
Cupping her hands over her mouth, Tilly gave an excited squeal.
She had the key to her cottage, the cottage she was going to be renting from the Groves, the cottage next to Isaac and his dad.
It had been Isaac’s idea. He’d suggested a compromise to Mo and Liz.
He’d suggested that if they let his dad stay on renting his cottage, Isaac would help renovate the one next door so Tilly could rent it.
With little to no persuading, both Mo and Liz had seen the potential in his idea and had given him the go-ahead.
They’d even promised to employ him to renovate the remaining of the three cottages too.
‘Is that what I think it is, love?’ Elsie lowered herself onto the picnic blanket next to her. ‘The keys to your new home?’
‘Yes.’ Turning to Elsie, Tilly grinned.
‘Want to go and take a look?’ Elsie smiled back at her. ‘We can pick up those curtains I made for you on the way, if you like?’
‘What about the picnic?’ Tilly held her hand out, encompassing their friends and family on the beach.
Elsie pushed herself to standing. ‘I don’t think they’ll be going anywhere soon, do you?’
Tilly laughed as Pippa screeched as she ran towards her mum, a long strand of seaweed clinging to her hair. ‘No, I guess not.’
‘Come on, then.’ Elsie turned to Ian and Isaac. ‘Are you two coming?’
‘Absolutely.’ Jumping to his feet, Isaac took Tilly’s hand as they waited for Ian to join them.
‘On my way, love.’ Ian picked his way around the picnic blankets and empty plates before kissing Elsie on top of her head and turning to Tilly. ‘All set to see your new home?’
‘Yep.’ Tilly nodded as they walked up the ramp together. She hugged Isaac’s arm as they stepped onto the cobbles. ‘I can’t wait.’
‘Let me get those curtains. I know what you’re like, you’ll want to stay there tonight, won’t you? If so, you’ll need the curtains.’
‘Thanks.’ Tilly and Elsie had chosen out the material for the curtains together on one of their trips into Trestow, and Tilly couldn’t wait to see what they’d look like hanging in the cottage.
Everything was coming together. She still needed to find a job, although Elsie had asked her to stay on working at the bakery as a salaried employee, which she would, but she also knew Elsie probably didn’t really need her there.
Not when the next volunteer arrived, which she was sure Elsie had said was in a couple of days’ time.
Hopefully, now that she had recent experience, it wouldn’t take her long to secure a permanent position somewhere.
‘Oh, that’s odd. This wasn’t here when we left for the beach.’ Elsie hurried towards the door of the bakery and picked up a bag, a battered rucksack, which had been leaning against the door.
‘That’s strange.’ Tilly spun around slowly, searching the street for anyone who might have dropped it. ‘I wonder who it belongs to.’
The End
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed reading Wishes and Waves at the Cornish Bakery as much as I enjoyed writing it. If so, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review, please.