Page 106 of The Village Inn of Secret Dream

‘I’m going to get going on the mulled wine,’ she told him. ‘And then get all the extra glasses lined up. If it’s anything like last year, it’s going to be a bumper day.’

‘Hee-haw,’ came a sudden call from the back garden.

Belle looked at Pete. ‘I’m going to kill Dodgy Del,’ she told him. ‘They’ve been doing that most of the night. I’ve had hardly any sleep.’

‘Was it Ethel or Fred making all the noise?’ said Pete, with a grin.

‘Humph,’ said Belle. ‘And Aunty Angie’s going to go mad when she sees what they’ve done to her winter heathers.’

‘So why do I think that you’re about to find them something to eat for breakfast?’ he asked, with a twinkle in his eye.

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ she said in a lofty tone before heading out towards the kitchen to rummage around the vegetable delivery for a couple of carrots.

The Christmas fete was a huge success, even busier than the previous year and the inn had had one of its best ever days, takings wise.

Both the restaurant and bar were packed from opening right the way through to the evening.

‘What a crush!’ said Grandma Tilly, coming through the crowd with Cathy late in the afternoon.

‘Did you sell many of the quilts?’ asked Belle, pouring them both a drink.

‘I sold the lot!’ said Grandma Tilly, with a proud look on her face.

‘Thanks to Belle’s help,’ added Cathy in a pointed tone.

‘Yes, many hands definitely make light work,’ said Grandma Tilly.

‘How’s your eye recovering?’ asked Belle.

‘Oh, it’s unbelievable!’ said Grandma Tilly, beaming. ‘Everything’s so clear and bright. I can see all the colours now, especially that red top, my dear.’

Belle glanced down. It was one of her favourites, a deep scarlet shirt.

‘But now that I’m fully recovered from my operation I was thinking about expanding,’ carried on Grandma Tilly. ‘How do you feel about knitting? I had a great idea about hats and scarves!’

‘I think Belle is probably a bit busy at the moment,’ said Pete from the other end of the bar as he looked out across the busy room. The customers were still flooding in from the cold air outside.

‘Let’s go and find a table, if we can,’ said Cathy. ‘My feet are aching.’

‘I can always get you a couple of chairs from upstairs,’ said Pete.

Meanwhile, Cassie and Rachel were rushed off their feet serving in the restaurant. There was even a demand in the bar for food so they had begun to serve at the tables in there as well.

Later on, Belle noticed a plate that needed clearing and was shocked to find that the customer sitting alone was none other than the newspaper restaurant critic who had given such an awful review on opening night.

‘You’re back!’ said Belle, staring down at him.

‘I came for the Christmas fete and heard rumours of a great new chef,’ said the man, before unexpectedly breaking out into a wide smile. ‘And I’m so glad I returned. The food has been simply marvellous.’

‘That’s great!’ said Belle, smiling back at him. ‘Let me get Pete. He’ll be so pleased.’

In fact, Pete was so overjoyed at the man’s reaction and subsequent promise of a stellar review in the newspaper that he almost pulled the man’s arm out of his socket as he shook the critic’s hand enthusiastically.

Halfway through a still busy evening, Belle received a call from her aunt and uncle and moved out into the quiet back garden so that she could hear them properly.

‘Oh, I’d forgotten about the Christmas fete,’ said Aunty Angie in a wistful tone. ‘It was always one of my favourites.’

‘And we’re missing you too,’ said Uncle Mick.