Shopping Trip

Toni entered the Tavern with Richie and was introduced to Jeffrey Wigand.

"It’s nice to meet you Jeffrey, are you settling here?"

"Uh…I’m not sure, it’s a lovely place."

"It is and we love it…well I’m off to collect Ivy see you love," she gave Richie a quick kiss and headed for the stairs.

"Ivy Braddock are you there?" Toni knocked and waited.

"Yeah, I’m here," Ivy slowly opened the door

"Ivy…what in the world…look at you girl!"

"I know, I’m sorry," she pressed a tissue to her mouth

"Get your purse Ivy you need to get out of here." Toni was a little upset with Jim for leaving her friend. What could possibly be so important for him to leave her like this?

Once in the car Ivy seemed to get herself together, "so we’re going for Christmas decorations?"

"Yes and I need to stop by the bakery and see about the wedding cake. I’d like for you to come out to the house, Ivy and help me decorate for the holidays you always had a knack for that, I remember the things you did in the old apartment we shared."

"I’d like to help, what about Richie I mean he doesn’t celebrate Christmas does he?"

"Well no but he does like all the holiday things, when we were in New Jersey we went into New York on Christmas Eve, it was really nice. I didn’t do anything but hang a wreath on the door in his tiny apartment so this year I’m going all out tree and everything. My family will be here for Christmas."

"Oh that’s right when are they coming in?"

"I expect them on the thirteenth and they go back on the twenty seventh. THEN…Richie and I are leaving for a couple of weeks."

"Honeymoon…I wish…"

"Don’t start up again Ivy…he’ll be back soon he’s going to be Richie’s best man did he tell you?"

"Yes I think that’s great they’re becoming friends."

"Ha, we didn’t give them much of a choice but I think they would become friends anyway. This looks like a likely place to start, what ya think?" Toni parked the car and they got out ready to shop.

"I was going to ask you about Jeffrey Wigand, I met him today what’s his story?"

Ivy filled her in on what she knew, "he seems like a really nice guy but so sad."

"Men…why after following her all the way to Australia is he sitting in the Tavern? He should be out there beating down her door and declaring himself. They are a species all to themselves." Toni shook her head and opened the door to the bakery.

"Hi can I help you?’ asked the pretty blond girl behind the counter, "oh, it’s you!"

"Lucy I didn’t know you worked here?" Toni was surprised

"I just started, oh and I’m doing the fancies for your wedding did you know?"

"No I didn’t, Andy said he couldn’t but didn’t say who could. Well good for you I might have a few orders for you before Christmas, my family is coming in and I know I’m not gonna have time to do all that baking."

"That would be great, just let me know or tell Andy." She smiled, it was going to work out for her and Andy somehow they were going to make it together.

"Andy is really sweet, Lucy," said Ivy.

"I know," she said smiling even wider.

"Now about the wedding cake…" Toni took out her note pad.