Ice Creams at Carrington’s (33 page)

‘It’s fine.’ She shrugs, unfazed. ‘Dogs are allowed in my brasserie!’ And we all laugh.

Ah, I feel so happy having them all here. Tom moves in close to me and lifts my hair to whisper into my ear.

‘I love you, Georgie Hart.’ And my stomach flips over and over, just like it did that very first time he kissed me, in the moonlight on the pier with the waves lapping gently below us, and the shoreline twinkling in the distance.

‘I love you too, Mr Carrington.’

I turn to the group and see that everyone has a drink now.

‘I propose another toast.’

They all stop talking and gather around me. Dusty nuzzles my hand and I stroke her velvety-soft ear. This glorious new store may signal the end of one part of my life – my time in Women’s Accessories selling luxury handbags before moving onto the personal shopping suite in the pretty seaside town of Mulberry-On-Sea – but this, right here and now, with my friends and my family, well, it’s also the start of something fresh and exciting.

‘To new beginnings!’ I lift my glass up high in the air.

And we all cheer.

‘
To new beginnings!
’

Q. Cupcakes at Carrington’s is famous for its Red Velvet Cupcake. If you could create a cupcake that sums up your life, what would it be and why?

A. Ooh, such a brilliant question, it would have to be a chocolate cupcake with a swirly whipped cream peak smothered in a trillion red heart sprinkles, because I’m such a romantic and love playing Cupid.

Q. We know that Georgie loves her handbags and red velvet cupcakes, what are a few of your favourite things?

A. Baking – I love everything about it, I find it cathartic and cosy and delicious and … I could go on and on about how wonderful it makes me feel. Nathan – he’s definitely my favourite man, and the memory of marrying him on that picturesque Italian hillside with the scent from the lemon grove in the warm breeze, is something I shall treasure forever.

Q. I am going to give you 4 names and I would like you to tell me what cakes springs to mind and why?

A. Georgie: Red Velvet cupcake, because I know it’s her favourite.

Eddie: Lemon curd Queen of Hearts Tart, because he’s wickedly acerbic with a heart of gold and very loyal … if he likes you!

Nathan: Triple-tiered Victoria sponge cake, because he’s solid and traditional.

Mrs Grace: A lavender cupcake, because she reminds me of my granny who always smelt of lavender.

Q. Who inspires you in life?

A. Mary Berry! I love her, no … I actually want to be her!

Q. You are a great friend to Georgie and always there with helpful advice. If you could give one bit of advice to live your life by, what would it be?

A. Be happy, smile, eat cake and have sex if you want to!

Q. What are you hoping the future holds for you, Georgie and Eddie?

A. Lots of love, laughter and happiness. Oh, and plenty of delicious creamy-peaked cupcakes with gold glitter sprinkles.

Thanks for the questions Kirsty, do pop in and see me some time - we can share a cupcake or three xxx

Q: You used to work at Carrington’s as Tom’s BA. What was the best thing about that job?

A: Ooooh, good question, will you judge me if I say … the staff discount?!? It was very generous, and one can never have enough Tom Ford suits. The tailoring is exquisite. But I loved the job too, well, some of the time … Popping into Sam’s café, Cupcakes At Carrington’s, for a takeaway coffee and a cream horn, which I would take to my office to enjoy while I dealt with the post and thumbed through Tom’s diary – checking his appointments, making sure he was organised for the day. Then, I would pop down to the ground floor for a good gossip with Georgie, usually followed by a bit of admin in the afternoon. Ah, those were the days, the simple life. JOKE

Q: You’ve known Georgie for ages. How exactly did the two of you meet?

A: At the Lucky Voice karaoke bar – Georgie got up to sing Britney and I knew right away that we were twinsies!

Q: Describe your perfect date with your adorable boyfriend, Ciaran?

A: Most likely drinks at Soho House, New York, followed by a helicopter trip for dinner on a lantern-lit private beach on Cayman Brac.

Q: If you were a ‘dramality’ star, what is the first thing you’d change about yourself?

A: Darling, I’m already a star! Nothing to change here …

Q: If you could have one thing from Sam’s café, Cupcakes At Carrington’s, for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: A cream horn – every pun intended.

Thank you and a big kiss to you, sweet pea! xoxoxoxo

Q: What is your favourite ice cream flavour?

A: Definitely the special regatta one, mulberry and cinnamon crumble, it’s truly scrumptious, but then the bubble gum one is very mm-mmm too.

Q: What would your dream handbag be and can you describe it for us? Colour, brand, we want to know it all!

A: Ah, this is easy – it’s from the Georgie Bag range. I have the satchel in fluoro pink with a Benedict Cumberbatch picture engraved in gold on the inside.

Q: What is the best thing about working at Carrington’s?

A: Well, I love everything about it, but if I had to whittle it down to just a few things then it would be seeing my friends every day and being surrounded by beautiful handbags, fragrances and clothes in a place where nothing bad ever happens, or so it seems to me.

Q: You’re dating the DROP DEAD GORGEOUS Mr Carrington (we’re all very jealous!) – what would your dream date with him be?

A: Thank you, he is rather delish! And I’ll tell him you said so
. I think my dream date will be our wedding, if we ever find the time to organise it. I hope to do that very soon.