The morning was bright and breezy, and although the weather forecast had predicted showers, the clouds were currently being swept along so quickly that Eve hoped the rain would hold off. It was typical that after weeks of fine weather, it seemed possible that it might change on the day of the Conwenna fair.
‘I really hope it doesn’t rain,’ she said to Mary as they unloaded her car boot. It was full of cakes, ingredients, cake tins and mixing bowls, as well as other items including a picnic blanket and several pairs of wellies.
Mary raised her head and sniffed the air. ‘It will stay fine … at least until after five.’
Eve took a deep breath, trying to work out what it was that her aunt could smell, but apart from salt, manure and the freshly cut grass of the field, she couldn’t smell anything else.
‘How’d you know that?’ she asked Mary. ‘What can you smell?’
‘Oh nothing really, apart from cow poo, but the farmers’ forecast on the radio said so this morning.’
Eve smiled. ‘So that’s your secret, eh?’
‘Goodness me, how are we going to get all this across to the tents?’ Mary asked as she eyed the pile behind the car.
‘I’ll do a few trips. You stay here and I’ll go back and forth.’
‘Okay, dear, but be careful not to drop anything.’
Eve picked up several bowls and a bag containing wooden spoons and a weighing scales, then set off towards the largest tent, which had a sign hanging from the opening that said Conwenna Cake-Off. She ducked slightly to enter the tent and looked around. There were six long counters that reminded her of painting tables, each with a portable gas oven and a fridge at the end of it. The scene was not unlike that featured in several popular TV shows. She was glad that she herself wouldn’t be under any pressure, and that her experienced aunt would be the one taking part in the baking competition.
After several trips between the car and the tent, Eve returned to find Mary chatting to some of the locals. She stood next to her aunt and smiled as they nodded at her in silent greeting. Mary was in full flow, telling them all about her wedding, and Eve’s heart swelled with love and pride as her aunt spoke about the service they’d planned and about how they didn’t want wedding gifts but instead were going to ask guests to make a donation to the dog sanctuary.
When Mary had finished and the villagers wandered off, Eve gestured at the boot. ‘Do we need the wellies?’
Mary shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. Though the rain is meant to hold off, it can sometimes get boggy here, especially if the cows have been grazing in the field, but I think we’ll be okay today.’
Eve nodded. ‘It’s starting to get busy.’
They looked around at the field cordoned off for parking and Mary smiled. ‘Yes, our fairs are quite popular. There’ll be visitors from surrounding towns and villages, as well as tourists. The dog show is a particular favourite, as is the cake-off.’
She adjusted the lavender silk scarf around her neck and buttoned her cardigan. ‘It’s a bit cooler than I’d have liked, and perhaps I should have worn shoes rather than sandals, but I do like to make an effort for these events.’
Eve glanced down at her aunt’s footwear: a pair of strappy silver sandals with a thin heel. Perhaps not the best choice of shoe for walking across a field. Eve herself had walking sandals on with jeans and an emerald-green blouse with capped sleeves. Practical yet pretty, she hoped. Pretty enough for Jack? Heat flooded her as memories of the previous night rushed in. Since her return to Conwenna, they’d been virtually inseparable.
‘Eve, are you blushing?’ Mary asked.
‘No … no!’ Eve shook her head. ‘I just felt a bit warm.’
‘Best take your cardie, though, as it can get nippy when you’re standing still.’
Eve grabbed her black cardigan from the driver’s seat then locked the car.
‘Come on, let’s head on over to where they’ll hold the dog show.’
They approached the area of the field where a square had been marked out with temporary fencing. The rails were decorated with ribbons and balloons in different colours that danced and waved in the breeze, and there was a speaker system set up on a trailer next to a table. People were already milling around the arena; some were getting their dogs accustomed to the route that they’d have to follow when they were shown, and a few children ran around excitedly, trailing balloons behind them as they played with new friends.
It looked to be a proper family day out and Eve’s tummy fizzed with anticipation. She could be a part of this every year if she settled in Conwenna; it could be something that she looked forward to and that one day she’d bring her own family to. She shivered. Could she ever hope to achieve that? Did she deserve to feel that form of domestic contentment?
‘Aargh!’
She turned to see her aunt flat on her face on the grass.
‘Aunt Mary!’ She dropped to her knees and placed a hand on the older woman’s back. ‘Are you all right?’
Mary lifted her head and spat out a tuft of grass. ‘I think so. I don’t know what happened. One minute I was walking next to you, then …’ She gestured at the ground.
‘Can you get up?’ Eve asked. She helped her aunt to a sitting position then checked her over.
‘I think I’m okay,’ Mary said. ‘Just a bit shaken.’ She pushed her skirt over her knees, then winced. ‘Ouch.’
‘What is it?’ Eve gently took her left hand.
‘My wrist. Oooh!’ Mary gasped as Eve carefully examined her.
‘I don’t think it’s broken, but it could be sprained.’
‘Oh no!’ Mary rolled her eyes. ‘What about the cake-off? Me and my damned vanity.’
‘Aunt Mary, you’re the least vain person I know.’
‘It’s these stupid sandals, though, isn’t it? I just wanted a little bit more height today.’ She blushed. ‘You know, with the local news cameras coming to film the cake-off. But darn it! My heel got stuck in the mud and now look at me.’ She gestured at herself and Eve realized that she was missing a shoe. She turned around and saw it held fast in the mud by its heel. ‘I wouldn’t have cared, but last year I could only just see over the counter and it was a bit of a disadvantage.’
Eve smiled. She also suspected that Mary was taking extra care with her appearance because of Edward. And why shouldn’t she?
‘We’d better get you to the first aid tent.’
Mary nodded and Eve helped her to stand, then held out her sandal so she could slide her foot into it. When they reached the small tent, they were welcomed by a balding first-aider wearing a name tag that read Gary.
‘Hi, Mary, what have you done?’ he asked as he helped Mary to a chair.
‘Oh I’m sure it’s nothing. Just a sprain.’ Mary tutted at herself. ‘Eve, while Gary has a look at my hand, why don’t you go to the cake-off tent and let them know I can’t take part.’
‘But you always take part in the cake-off,’ said Gary as he examined her wrist.
‘I know.’ Mary chewed her lip. ‘If only I had a replacement. A wingwoman.’
Eve watched her aunt carefully. Was there something going on here?
‘I don’t suppose …’ Mary raised her eyes to meet her niece’s.
‘Oh no! I can’t. I just couldn’t do that. I can barely make a lemon drizzle cake.’
‘But that would be perfect, Eve! It doesn’t matter if you don’t win. It’s just that it adds to the competition and excitement for everyone.’
Eve’s pulse sped up and she felt perspiration rise on her top lip. She thought of all that her aunt had done for her since her arrival in Conwenna, of how she’d dropped everything to help her, of how she’d been so hurt in the past when Eve had been dismissive of her. She owed Mary, she really did.
‘So I just have to make a cake?’
‘Yes, dear.’
Gary kept his head down. It seemed to be taking him a long time to check Mary’s wrist.
‘Okay then. I’ll do it.’
‘Thank you, sweetheart.’
‘I’ll go and let them know.’
Eve headed out of the first aid tent and crossed the field. She had a feeling that she’d been set up, whether it had been planned or not. But what else could she do? Mary had been good to her, and she was family, and Eve knew now how important that was. When family needed you, you stepped up.
Inside the cake-off tent, she approached a group of women who were sitting around a table drinking from steaming polystyrene cups.
‘Um … excuse me. I’m Mary Carpenter’s niece. She’s had a fall and won’t be able to take part. So … if it’s okay, I’ll take her place.’
‘Yes, of course,’ one of the women replied. She had to be at least seventy, but her hair was the fabulous vibrant red of a fire engine. ‘Fill this in and we’ll get you set up.’ She handed Eve a clipboard then returned to her group.
Eve quickly completed the form then handed the clipboard back. ‘So I’ll be back around eleven?’
‘Yes, that’s right. Don’t be late!’ The redhead waved a finger at her. The other women didn’t even glance at her and Eve didn’t know whether to be insulted or grateful. They were clearly engaged in their conversation and the last-minute replacement of a contestant was of no interest to them.
She decided to check on Aunt Mary then try to locate Jack. He’d said he’d arrive at around ten with the dogs, and Eve knew he was bringing Gabe. She couldn’t wait to see the greyhound and hoped she’d be able to walk him around the show arena.
Jack led the four hounds he’d brought to the show across the field to the arena. There was quite a crowd there already and it lifted him. Every year that they’d shown dogs from the sanctuary, they’d managed to find potential owners for some of them. He hoped this year would be the same. Neil and Elena were bringing another four dogs, and even if they only homed one, that was one dog headed to its forever home. Of course they didn’t just let the dogs go to anyone. It involved home checks and assessment of suitability of lifestyle and so on, but if people were genuine about rehoming, then they didn’t mind being checked first.
He scanned the fields as he walked, looking for Eve. The thought of seeing her again, even though it had only been hours since they’d parted, made his stomach flip. He was in deep, and although it scared him, it also filled him with hope. He’d thought he might spend his life alone, not finding love, not finding someone who’d understand him, but Eve was different.
In spite of his joy, however, something was niggling at him. He sensed that she was still holding something back, that there might be something she hadn’t told him. It was, of course, early days and he couldn’t expect her to spill everything all at once. Trust took time and patience and he hoped he would win hers completely. The thought of not being able to do so was something he couldn’t entertain. His counsellor had worked through this with him, coaxing him to explore why he’d shut himself down in the past, encouraging him to admit why he was afraid, and Jack thought he knew how to control this side of himself now. He hoped he had the strength to remain open; he needed to, because Eve was the woman he wanted as his partner in life.
‘Jack!’
He spotted her waving at him and smiled. Gabe pulled at his lead and Jack laughed. ‘Just as keen to see her as I am, eh, boy?’
When he reached her, he glanced around quickly to ensure that no one was watching, then leaned forward and pecked her on the lips. She flushed immediately and Jack was reminded of how she glowed after they made love. He couldn’t wait to be alone with her again.
‘Everything okay?’
‘Yes, fine. Actually, well, uh …’
His heart sank. Something was wrong. Had he upset her by kissing her in public? Was it too much too soon?
‘It’s Aunt Mary. She had a bit of a fall, and I’m kind of wondering if it was deliberate … I know that makes me sound suspicious, but, well you know what she’s like, and see …’
Jack shook his head. ‘Eve, slow down.’ He was concerned by the manic way her eyes were darting around, as if she was searching for answers. ‘Is Mary okay?’
‘Yes.’
‘And why do you think she would have planned this?’
‘Well she asked me to take her place in the cake-off.’
‘But why would she plan that?’
Eve worried her bottom lip and Jack had an urge to kiss her again. If he hadn’t been holding four dog leads, he might have thrown caution to the wind and pulled her close.
‘I’m not really sure, but I suspect it’s something to do with trying to build my confidence.’
‘By making you bake under pressure?’ Jack clamped his lips together to stop himself from smiling. ‘That would be some crafty plan.’
‘I know. Maybe I’m wrong. It just all seemed a bit … convenient.’ Eve crouched down and rubbed Gabe’s ears, then let him lick her face.
‘Hey! The dog’s getting more of a greeting than I did.’
Eve smiled. ‘I’ll make it up to you later.’
‘All right then, as long as you promise.’ He winked.
‘So what time are the dogs being shown?’
‘Half an hour, I think. You okay to take Gabe?’
Eve nodded but her face fell.
‘You know you don’t have to lead him around.’ He was thinking of her anxiety.
‘I know. It’s not that I’m nervous about being out there in front of people. More that I just don’t want anyone else to want him.’
‘Well just take him round and talk to a few people about what we do. He can wear one of the vests with “I don’t need a home but my friends do” on it.’
‘You have those?’
He nodded.
‘Oh Jack, thank you.’
‘Hey, no need to thank me. This gorgeous fella loves you too.’
Eve met his gaze and her lips parted slightly.
‘Are you talking about you or Gabe?’
Jack threw back his head and laughed. ‘I see what you did there.’
Eve moved onto her tiptoes and kissed him softly.
‘I love the gorgeous fella too.’
Jack’s heart pounded against his ribcage and he whispered, ‘This has to be the best summer ever.’
Ten thirty came, and Eve waited with Gabe just outside the show arena. He leaned against her legs, his large, warm body comforting. Jack had given her the vest for Gabe to wear, to show that he was taken, and it had eased Eve’s anxiety. Letting anyone else even entertain the thought of taking him would break her heart.
When Jack gestured at her to follow, she ran around the arena with the big dog at her side. He trotted along in stride with her and she was filled with pride. In many ways he reminded her of Jack: big, strong, powerful; yet gentle, affectionate and vulnerable. The three of them had such a connection and Eve cared about Jack and Gabe so much that the thought of not having them both in her future was unbearable.
They did three circuits, then returned to the gate.
‘If you like, you can walk around with Gabe and speak to some of the people, then hand these out.’ Jack gave her some leaflets featuring information about the sanctuary. ‘If they just want to make a donation – however small – tell them they can do so at the desk there or via the website.’
‘Will do. I have to be in the cake-off tent by eleven.’
‘No problem.’
‘Will you be there?’
‘I’ll try. If Neil’s okay to take the dogs, that is.’ Jack grinned at her.
Eve wandered around the outside of the show arena, handing out leaflets and talking to people, as well as stopping for them to pet Gabe and take photographs. When she next checked her watch, it was five past eleven. ‘Oh no!’ She hurried across to Jack and handed him Gabe’s lead. ‘I have to go. I’m already late.’
‘Hey, don’t worry. It’s just a bit of fun.’
‘I don’t know, Jack. The women in there earlier looked pretty serious to me. I’ll see you in a bit.’
She patted Gabe’s head and he licked her hand, then she raced over to the cake-off tent, pausing by the entrance. Her heart thundered and her legs felt as if they might give way at any moment. Could she actually do this? Did she have the strength after everything else?
‘Eve, dear?’ A cool hand on her arm made her turn, and she found her aunt next to her. ‘Are you all right?’
Eve swallowed her nerves. ‘Yes. A bit late, but I’m ready.’
‘You can do this, sweetheart.’
Aunt Mary’s other arm was bandaged and resting in a sling.
‘How’s your wrist?’
‘A little bruised but nothing to worry about.’
‘Does Edward know?’
‘Yes, dear, he’s over there waiting for me.’ Mary gestured at a row of seats and Eve saw her aunt’s fiancé waving at them. ‘Now keep a cool head and enjoy yourself.’
Eve nodded, then took a deep breath and walked over to the one empty counter, where an apron sat neatly folded on the spotless work surface. She washed her hands thoroughly in the small sink, then pulled the apron over her head. Her mouth was dry and her hands were trembling but she had to do this: for Mary, for Jack, for Gabe, for the sake of the village fair and for herself.