Page 32 of The Pop-Up Cake Shop

‘True. That’s why we make a point of meeting a few times a week like this, Ray and me. We have a strict rule that we don’ttalk about our exes. And we eat the most delicious cake on the menu and to hell with the calories.’ She leaned closer and confided, ‘I don’t think Ray looks after himself... cooking, that kind of thing. He always wolfs the cake down. But I think... well, Ihope... he feels in better spirits by the time we part.’

‘I’m sure he does. The cake and the company will help him through.’

We exchanged a sad little smile.

‘When did you find out your partner was cheating?’ she asked.

I gave a bitter laugh. ‘During a meet-up at the top of the Empire State Building, would you believe? He was working in New York and his new girlfriend arrived to meet him at the same time.’

‘Ouch!’

‘Yes. It was very much ouch. It doesn’t help that Emily, his new squeeze, is barely out of her teens.’

‘Ray’s coming back,’ murmured Cheryl. She glanced at my name badge. ‘Thank you so much, Katja.’

‘You’re very welcome.’

‘Take care of yourself,’ she added with a sad little knowing smile.

‘I will,’ I promised, as I returned to Ellie behind the counter. ‘You, too.’

‘Is she okay?’ Ellie murmured. ‘You seemed to have a lot to talk about.’

‘We have a lot in common. All rejects together!’

She grimaced. ‘Still. Onwards and upwards, eh?’

‘Absolutely.’ I nodded with far more conviction than I was feeling.

If only there was a magic potion you could take that would instantly wipe out all memory of loathsome, cheating ex boyfriends!

But until that day, at least there was chocolate.

When Cheryl and Ray finally got up to leave, he went off to the bathroom while Cheryl came up to the counter, I presumed to say goodbye.

But it turned out she was coming with an invitation for me.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

‘We’ve decided we’re going to do something different on Tuesday evening.’ Cheryl’s smile contained a hint of mischief. ‘It’s basically therapy.’ She shrugged. ‘Ten-pin bowling for rejected spouses. Why don’t you come with us if you’re free? It would get you out of the house for a bit?’

‘Right.’ I looked at her in surprise. ‘Ten-pin bowling.’ I’d been bowling on quite a few occasions and I’d always had a great time. So I found myself nodding. ‘Actually, that sounds like a really good idea. Far healthier than moping in front of the TV with a bottle of wine, wondering what your ex is up to with his new woman.’

‘Exactly. Let’s swap numbers and organise it.’

When they left, I told Ellie what Cheryl had suggested and she nodded approvingly. ‘You’ll be having too much fun to eventhinkabout that waste-of-space Richard. Can I come?’ she added jokingly.

I chuckled. ‘I think it’s a club for sad rejects only. And anyway, how on earth would you manage bowling when you’re already carrying around your own very special bowling ball?’ I indicated her baby bump which was growing larger with each passing day.

Smiling, she stroked her belly. ‘You do have a point.’

‘You can’t do everything,’ I reminded her. ‘You should be making the most of being pregnant by spending your time reclining on the sofa and letting Zak feed you grapes.’

She chuckled. ‘Interesting idea. As long as I can switch out the grapes for a couple of apple Danish pastries.’

‘But I’m serious. You should be relaxing.’

She gave me a worried look. ‘Would throwing a little house-warming party fit into the category of relaxation?’

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