Page 13 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘Good.’ Jasmine mustered up a smile of relief. She hoped there’d be nothing further to monitor after the two Scragg children and their parents had been spoken to, but she had a horrible feeling that wouldn’t be the end of it.

SIX

Jasmine hurried away from the school, head down, mind whirling. The fingers of stress had a firm grip on her, making her oblivious to all around her. She didn’t see the large, fluffy black dog lolloping towards her until it was too late and she found herself flying over the top of it, landing with a thud in an unceremonious heap on the pavement. Shock had done a sterling job of numbing her senses – but, unfortunately, not her knees which were now throbbing after making contact with the unforgiving York paving stones – and she was only half aware of a voice calling in the background.

‘Ouch!’ She pulled a face as she went to push herself up, but her legs were too shaky. Tears stung her eyes and she fought to keep them under control. Of all the times for this to happen, when she was desperate to get back home to her children. Before she had a chance to process another thought, the black dog pushed its face into hers, delivering a slobbery sweep of its tongue across her cheek. ‘Arghh!’ She scrunched up her nose. If the pungent odour of the great lolloping hound’s breath was anything to go by, it had recently eaten something containing rotting fish.

‘Ernest! Stop! Now!’ called a man’s voice. ‘Ernest! Heel!’ The sound of shoes pounding over pavement and heavy breathing grew closer.

Jasmine tried to get to her feet a second time, but the dog nudged his wet nose at her, its whiskers tickling her face and making her lurch backwards.Flaming heck! That breath!

Soon she became aware of someone standing beside her, a concerned voice asking if she was okay. ‘I hope you’re not hurt. Can I help you up?’

‘Um… I… I’m—’ Before she had a chance to get her words out and tell him she didn’t need any help, Jasmine found herself being very gently lifted to her feet.

‘I really must apologise about Ernest, he’s a bit too enthusiastic for his own good. He’s absolutely harmless, just thinks everyone’s his friend,’ explained the man.

‘No harm done.’ She hurriedly dashed away her tears, hoping the stranger hadn’t noticed. In truth, though her knees were singing out with pain, it was her pride that had taken the worst of the battering. She felt acutely embarrassed at falling over such a large dog –how had she missed him?– especially when there was a witness to her clumsiness. ‘It was my fault.’ She glanced across at Ernest whose tail was wagging vigorously. She could swear he looked pleased with his efforts and, despite herself, she couldn’t help but give a watery smile.

‘You sure you’re okay?’ the man asked again.

Jasmine nodded. ‘Yes, thanks.’ She just wanted to remove herself from this excruciating situation and get back home to Zak and Chloe.

‘Unfortunately, Ernest managed to wriggle out of his collar, and tear off on an adventure before I could stop him. He’s a good lad most of the time, aren’t you, fella?’ The stranger ruffled the dog’s floppy ears which was received with great delight. Ernest offered his paw, which brought another smile to Jasmine’s face.

She switched her gaze from Ernest to the man, their eyes meeting. Jasmine gave a loud gasp, suddenly struck by an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Judging by the stranger’s expression, he clearly felt something, too.

‘Jingilby?’ The man’s face broke out into a smile that revealed even, white teeth.

She stood rooted to the spot, her mouth hanging open, her mind racing. She rubbed her fingertips over her brow, trying to make sense of the situation. It had been a lifetime ago since anyone had used that name. And there’d only ever been one person who’d done so and he’d left town over twenty years ago: little Max Grainger. He’d been a childhood friend – in fact, the pair of them had been so close they were more like siblings. They’d also been in the same class at Micklewick Bay Primary School.

The Jingilby nickname had come about when Max Grainger had spotted her name on a typed list lying on their teacher’s desk in the classroom, the typo in her surname making him roar with laughter: J ingilby. ‘Look, Jazz, they’ve called you Jingilby!’ he’d said, blending her initial with her surname. ‘I like it! It sounds happy, just like you. I’m going to call you Jingilby forever now.’

Jasmine hadn’t minded in the slightest; she’d liked the sound of it, too. Interestingly, the nickname failed to catch on with her other friends who stuck with Jazz, leaving only Max who called her Jingilby, which to her somehow felt right.

It couldn’t be!She took a second, scrutinising the man’s face.Oh, my days. It is!Now she looked more closely, the happy twinkle in those hazel eyes, the freckles splashed across his nose and cheeks, could only belong to one person.

‘Max? Max Grainger?’ She looked on as his smile grew wider. His eyes sparkled and sent her hurtling back to over twenty years ago. The wave of happiness that flooded her chest took her by surprise. ‘Is it really you?’

‘Yup, it’s really me, Jingilby.’ He laughed, his eyes dancing just as she remembered. ‘And I’d recognise those mischievous eyes and fiery hair anywhere. Boy, is it good to see you.’

‘It’s good to see you, too.’ She could barely believe this tall, broad-shouldered man was the same little Max Grainger who’d been involved in such a huge chunk of her childhood.

They looked at one another for several moments, laughing in disbelief. Ernest looked between them, his tail sweeping over the pavement.

Max was the first to speak. ‘I’d hug you, only I’d worry I’d hurt you after your tumble. You sure you’re okay?’

Jasmine rolled her eyes and shook her head. ‘Yeah, that wasn’t my finest hour, but I’m fine.’ She was relieved to find the pain had started to subside. ‘My mind was elsewhere, which was why I didn’t spot Ernest.’

‘I’m not sure it would’ve made a difference if you had, he moves pretty quickly when he sets his mind to it, so you wouldn’t have had much of a chance to put your brakes on.’

‘In that case, I don’t feel so clumsy then.’

‘So, how’ve you been? You look well. How’re your parents? Sorry for all the questions,’ said Max. They both laughed at that.

‘That’s okay. I’ve got just as many for you, once I get my head round the fact you’re actually here in Micklewick Bay.’ She was just about to ask where he was staying when their attention was taken by the sound of his phone ringing.

‘Sorry, Jingilby, I’m expecting an important call, I’d better check who it is.’ He pulled an apologetic face as he reached into the back pocket of his jeans and retrieved his phone.

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