The next year …
‘Sarah Lee, it’s starting soon!’ Catherine shouted. ‘Alis, is it recording?’
‘It’s recording. You realise you’re conforming to stereotype, don’t you? I know for a fact that you know how to record your own programmes.’
Catherine smiled. ‘I just like to make you feel useful. Everybody comfy? Want the blanket?’ It might be August but the house was chilly as usual.
Rachel and James sat to Catherine’s right on the long sofa while Alis cuddled up on her left. ‘Sarah!’ she shouted again. ‘It’s like she doesn’t even care.’
‘Well, she was there after all,’ said Rachel. ‘She knows what happens. We’re the ones in the dark about the details.’
They heard feet pounding down the stairs. ‘I’m here, I’m here!’
Sarah threw herself over the back of the sofa, landing half in Catherine’s lap and half in Rachel’s.
‘Too right,’ said Rachel. ‘James, Alis, move it. Drag those chairs around.’
Alis shrugged as he gave up his spot. ‘It is their house.’ He pulled two of the reading chairs within range of the telly.
‘Where’s Sissy? Sissy!’
There was more pounding, this time coming up the kitchen stairs. ‘We’re here,’ she said. ‘Ready? Close your eyes.’
Sarah grinned, screwing her eyes shut. She could hear rustling and Sissy saying, ‘Higher. Higher. Higher. No, lower. Lower. Higher.’ And then giggles.
‘Okay, you can open your eyes.’
Sarah took in the large banner hanging between the windows. It was covered with improbably coloured cakes and the words ‘Congrats Champ’ mosaicked along its length.
‘That’s gorgeous, Sissy, really good. But you don’t know whether I’m the champion or not.’
‘You are,’ she said.
‘How do you know?’
‘Because you’re my sister.’
‘Here, Sissy,’ Catherine said, shuffling over. ‘Sit next to Sarah.’
She launched herself at the cushions with the same gusto that Sarah had. It ran in the family. ‘Where’s Seamus sitting?’ she asked.
Seamus stood a little awkwardly near the banner that he’d hung. ‘I can sit on the floor in front of Sarah.’ He plonked himself down, leaning against her legs.
‘Young love,’ said James. ‘He’ll be sitting in a chair like the rest of us this time next year. Your arse is going to fall asleep.’
‘I’ll risk the soggy bottom,’ he said as Sarah chuckled. She reached over his shoulder so he could take her hand. ‘I didn’t think I’d be this nervous,’ she said.
‘It’s not every day you see yourself on telly,’ said Alis.
‘It’s starting!’
Mel and Sue addressed the camera, introducing this year’s Great British Bake Off as the twelve aproned contestants stood behind them.
‘There you are!’ screamed Rachel. ‘This is so exciting! And there’s Seamus on the end!’
Sarah watched the first part of the programme from behind her fingers, wincing every time the camera closed in on her. ‘It’s awful seeing yourself,’ she murmured.
‘They say the camera adds a stone,’ James said helpfully.
Rachel punched him in the arm.
Sarah shook her head. ‘Baking non-stop for three months did that.’
‘I love your cake handles,’ said Seamus.
‘Oh you big charmer,’ Rachel teased. ‘Hey, I just thought of something. Maybe we’ll see the first Great British Bake Off wedding next year … What, too soon?’
Seamus smiled. ‘Not too soon for me.’
‘Me either.’ Sarah could hardly believe it. She wouldn’t have guessed in a million years that she’d meet someone like Seamus at the Bake Off. It had been enough of a long shot that she’d been chosen for the show in the first place. But to find someone so perfectly matched to her, who put crumpets before clubbing, and loved her as much as she did him?
She let herself imagine that she hadn’t been selected. Then she’d be watching Seamus on telly for the first time this very minute. What would she think of him? Would his sandy blond hair and open smiling face still make her heart quicken with excitement? Would she hear his deep voice and Dublin lilt and know she could listen to him forever? Would his kindness and enthusiasm come across on camera? Or would she see him as Catherine and Rachel probably did – a cute guy with a deep love of cake?
Luckily she didn’t have to guess at the answers because she did meet him, and they clicked from the first weekend of filming. It was intense, long and tiring, but they all went out for dinner after each day on set, and that’s when they really got to know each other. Sarah managed to hold out until the third weekend, and then she kissed him.
She was under penalty of death (or at least in breach of an official confidentiality agreement) not to give away any details about the show, even to her best friends. But at least she hadn’t had to keep Seamus a secret.
On the telly, Mary Berry judged Sarah’s signature bake delicious and everyone in the sitting room erupted in cheers. Sissy threw her arms around her sister and they were soon whooping for Seamus too when Paul said his passion-fruit sponge packed a punch.
At the end, both Sarah and Seamus were still in the Bake Off tent.
But of course Catherine and Rachel already knew that, because the crew had come to the house to film the ‘at home’ segments for the final three contestants. They just didn’t know if she’d won. That was a secret she’d promised to keep.
‘Same time next week?’ Alis asked as the programme ended. ‘I’m inspired to bake now.’
‘You just get better and better.’ Catherine kissed him. ‘Same time next week.’
‘I’ll bring wine next time,’ James said. ‘Or champagne. The bakers deserve champagne.’
‘Sissy, should we keep the banner up till the end of the series?’ Rachel asked.
Sissy nodded solemnly. ‘Yes, because it’s going to come true. Sorry Seamus.’
‘That’s okay, Sissy. I think she’s a champion too.’
‘Will you stay?’ Sarah asked him. ‘Or drive back to Cambridge?’
‘I’d like to stay if that’s okay. We can take Sissy back together in the morning. I don’t have to be in work till ten.’
‘I want to stay the night,’ said Sissy.
‘And I want you to stay,’ Sarah replied. ‘I want everyone to stay.’
‘That’s settled, then,’ said Alis to Catherine. ‘If Sissy says so then it’s a sleepover night.’
‘I wouldn’t cross Sissy,’ James said.
‘You’d better not,’ Sissy said, poking her finger into his chest. ‘That’s that then. We’re all staying with Sarah tonight.’
Sarah beamed. It was the icing on her show-stopper cake.
THE END