Page 22 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘I don’t have a choice, everyone’s busy or at work.’

Florrie pushed up the sleeve of her cardigan and checked her watch. ‘Right, what time do you need to be there?’

‘Eleven o’clock. Why?’

‘I can take you.’ Florrie nudged her glasses up her nose.

‘But what about the bookshop?’

‘Leah’s in first thing, and I can call my mum, ask her if she can pop in a bit earlier; she won’t mind, she’ll be happy to help, especially once she hears the reason. And it’s not as if we have any events on or school visits today. Ed’ll still be able to crack onwith the window displays. I do believe a hammock is going to be included in one of them, isn’t that right, Ed?’

‘If I tell you that, it’ll completely spoil the surprise.’ The window displays were always hidden behind a thick curtain, and only revealed once they were fully complete.

‘I’d better warn you, if a hammock is included, I make no apologies if I’m tempted to climb in it,’ said Jasmine.

‘We’d have no problem with that, Jazz,’ said Ed.

‘As long as you don’t snore,’ added Florrie.

‘’Fraid I can’t guarantee that.’

Ed’s displays in the double-fronted bookshop’s windows had become legendary in the town, with each one declared better than the last. Florrie’s partner had previously worked as an artist and dressing the windows had allowed him to set his creative talents free. It had also generated a huge amount of interest for the bookshop, thus increasing their trade.

‘So, is it a yes for the offer of a lift?’ asked Florrie, bringing the subject back to Jasmine’s current predicament.

Jasmine glanced between Florrie and Ed, her friend’s suggestion running through her mind. ‘But?—’

‘No buts. And don’t forget I did tell you on Friday, if you wanted any company to just holler.’ Florrie grinned, hitching her eyebrows.

‘Looks like I’ve got some company, then.’

‘Fab!’ Florrie beamed at her.

‘First, I reckon we need to get your car out of the middle of the road,’ said Ed, watching a driver slow down, craning her neck as she drove by Jasmine’s abandoned vehicle. ‘And if you leave the key with me, I can get in touch with the garage for you, if you like? Get them to collect it.’

‘Um…’ Concern for the potential cost of getting her car fixed was jostling for priority with being late for Lady Caro.

‘Come on, let’s get cracking, missus.’ Florrie patted Jasmine’s arm, breaking in to her thoughts. ‘You get in and release the handbrake, we’ll push.’ She headed to the rear of the car where Ed had positioned himself, while Gerty looked on from where he’d hooked her lead over the railings of the Micklewick Majestic.

‘Thanks for this, Florrie.’ Jasmine pushed her sunglasses back and gazed out of the window as they took the turn for the moors, following the road sign that directed them to the villages of Lytell Stangdale, Arkleby and Danskelfe. A clear blue sky spread out before them, with the undulating moorland and verdant green fields drenched in sunshine beyond. She released a sigh. The background thrum of stress had shrunk back to its familiar level and now only a trace of her earlier headache lingered. She could cope with that.

‘Hey, it’s no problem at all, flower. I haven’t exactly made a secret of the fact that I’ve been desperate for an excuse to head back to Danskelfe Castle since our sleigh ride at Christmas.’ She flashed Jasmine a smile, her brown eyes hidden behind her prescription sunglasses.

Jasmine smiled back. Florrie had been so taken with their Christmas visit there she’d been keen to get the friends together for another visit.

‘I know it might sound daft – and I really don’t want to tempt fate, which I know doesn’t sound like the sort of thing cynical old me would say – but I’ve got a good feeling in my bones about this meeting,’ said Jasmine.

Florrie slowed the car to allow a couple of the free-roaming sheep and their lambs the North Yorkshire Moors were known for to amble their way across the road. ‘It doesn’t sound daft at all, it’s exactly what Lark was saying yesterday morning whenshe popped into the bookshop. And we all know Lark’s usually right about these things. Anyroad, it’s not just you and Lark; we all think it, too.’

Hearing that sent a buzz of excitement reverberating through Jasmine. ‘It would be so amazing to get the contract. I honestly think it would make a massive difference to the kids and me.’

‘No more rushing round like a headless chicken,’ said Florrie.

‘You’ve no idea how good that would be.’

She’d lain awake until the early hours the previous night, her mind running over just how much Lady Caro’s offer could change things for her and the children – when her worries about the Scragg family, or Max’s reappearance weren’t occupying it. It had the potential to free up some time and allow her to focus on what she loved doing as a way of earning enough money to provide for the kids and pay the bills, which was a concept she hadn’t dreamt possible for herself. The more she thought about the offer, the more she’d found herself desperately wanting it. Jasmine knew it was why she felt so apprehensive today. It had been a long time since she’d let herself get excited about anything and, she had to admit, there was something quite pleasant about the occasional bursts of anticipation that pushed through her whenever it popped into her thoughts.

She checked her folder again, making sure it was all in order. After everything that had been happening with Zak and Chloe, she’d found herself distracted and had kept having to reassure herself that the photos she’d brought were her best ones and not some random images she’d quickly scrabbled together. She could easily show Lady Caro the photos she had on her phone, but Jasmine had felt the need to take something physical. She’d considered asking Lady Caro for her personal email so she could send a selection of her best photos beforehand, but Jasmine hadn’t wanted to appear pushy. Plus, she’d be the first to admit she was a technophobe and didn’t have the first clue aboutputting the images into files or folders, or whatever you called them, rather than bombarding Lady Caro with a multitude of individual attachments – she was only just getting the hang of Instagram!

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