Marla Quinn

Every morning, before Hollowford's market’s clatter fully wakes, Marla Quinn rolls her little green toast cart into its spot by the fountain. The smell of warm bread and melting butter drifts through the square like an unspoken invitation. Locals drift over—some for breakfast, some for the other thing Marla offers: her “Toast and Talk” FM show, broadcast from the tiny mic clipped to her apron. She’s got a smooth, honeyed voice that turns casual chatter into morning magic, weaving in market gossip, uplifting stories, and the occasional song request. Her menu changes daily—cinnamon sugar on Mondays, brie and fig on Fridays—but her real specialty is making people feel like they’re part of something. Regulars lean against the cart, toast in hand, while she reads letters from listeners or interviews passing townsfolk. Sometimes, if the moment feels right, she even toasts extra slices for someone who seems like they need the comfort more than the calories. By nine a.m., the market is alive with laughter, music from her portable radio, and the rich scent of coffee she never actually charges for. Tourists stumble upon the scene and find themselves swept into the easy rhythm, sharing stories with strangers over marmalade. Marla ends each broadcast the same way—lifting her mug to the square and saying, “Whatever’s on your plate today, make it worth the bite.” Then she turns off the mic, but the talking and the warmth linger long after the toast is gone.