Page 3 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘No need to apologise, Lark. And I reckon it’s all of the above, though Mags’s suggestion probably fits the bill best,’ said Jasmine. ‘But having a tragic love life suits me just fine.’ They all laughed heartily at that.

‘I know we’re only messing about, Jazz, but in all honesty, it would be lovely to see you in a relationship. You’ve been on your own for too long,’ said Lark. ‘You need someone to love you,someone who has your back and will support you; someone you can share your hopes and dreams with.’

‘Couldn’t agree more,’ Maggie chipped in. ‘And, let me tell you, there’s nothing better than snuggling up together on the sofa of an evening, even if it is just for an hour.’

Jasmine swept her gaze around her friends to see the others nodding in agreement. She shot them a look of disbelief. ‘You lot have either hit the wine early or you’ve completely lost the plot. Even if I wanted a relationship – which Idon’t– I haven’t got time for one, never mind a spare hour for a snuggle on the sofa. Trust me, if I had any spare time, I’d spend it catching up on some sleep.On my own.’

‘So, I’m guessing that my suggestion, which was that you’d finally been tempted – a.k.a. “worn down” – by Ando’s offer of an evening dining on past-their-best pickled eggs washed down with a glass or two of his homebrew wasn’t the exciting news you were going to share?’ said Stella.

Jasmine gave her friend a “really?” look. ‘Trust me, Stells, it’s so wide of the mark, you couldn’t even see it with a pair of super-strength binoculars on a clear, cloud-free day.’

‘Ah.’ Stella’s mouth quirked in amusement. ‘But, in fairness to us, that’s what you get if you dangle a little piece of juicy information in front of us; our imaginations go into overdrive.’

‘Tell me about it.’ Jasmine grinned, shaking her head. ‘But having said that, you lot know full well that never,ever, in a million years would I be tempted by Ando’s tragic weekly offers. Nope, lasses, I’m afraid you’re way,wayoff track with those suggestions.’

Much as she was making light of it, there was a tiny part of Jasmine that could warm to having someone to share her life with. She missed having cuddles, missed curling up on the sofa like Maggie spoke of. But she wasn’t prepared to entertain thenotion any further. For more than the reasons she’d given her friends, she was determined to remain single.

‘In that case, will youpleasejust put us out of our misery?’ Florrie said pleadingly, pulling Jasmine out of her musings.

‘Okay,’ said Jasmine, just as her stomach gave a loud rumble. ‘But first, can we order our food? I’m famished!’ She gave an apologetic smile as they all let out a collective groan.

‘I’ll see to it.’ Florrie pushed herself up. ‘Usual order: fish and chips with all the trimmings, lasses?’

A chorus of agreement followed.

‘No sharing any of your news until I get back, okay, Jazz?’

‘Wouldn’t dream of it.’ Jasmine laughed.

The women had been best friends since primary school, with the exception of Maggie, whom Florrie had met at university in York. Having moved to Micklewick Bay to live with then boyfriend Bear Marsay, Maggie had been welcomed into the group wholeheartedly. Despite their different personalities, they all shared the same values. It was these qualities that added balance to the friendship, with Stella’s feistiness and Jasmine’s quick temper being softened by Lark’s more gentle nature and Florrie’s altruistic ability to see all sides of an argument; she regularly played devil’s advocate. Maggie appeared to be a mix of all of them.

Ten minutes later, Florrie returned. ‘Right then, that’s the food ordered.’ She slid back along the settle next to Lark where she looked at Jasmine expectantly.

‘Yep, come on, Jazz, let’s hear your news,’ said Stella.

A smile started to spread across Jasmine’s face as she brought the phone call back to mind. ‘I still can’t believe it,’ she said, a wave of excitement rushing through her. ‘And it’s actually got something to do with you, Mags.’

‘Me?’ Maggie said, her dark brows shooting up in question.

Jasmine nodded. ‘Yep, you.’

TWO

‘So, like I said in my text, I was left a rather interesting message on my mobile this afternoon – it was actually from a number I’d ignored on account of it being one I didn’t recognise; thought it might be some scammer trying to get my bank details or the weirdo who doesn’t say anything.’

‘You’re still getting those funny phone calls?’ asked Florrie.

‘Yep, though they’ve eased off a bit recently, and the silent ones have stopped completely, thank goodness – might have something to do with the fact I mentioned them to Bart’s parents when they were giving me grief the other day. I didn’t directly accuse them, just threw in that I’d been getting them, saying I had enough on my plate without them giving me earache. Said that I was going to contact the police, get “whoever it is” stopped that way.’

‘Ooh, they wouldn’t like that.’ Florrie chuckled.

‘Good for you, Jazz,’ said Stella.

‘You should’ve seen the look on their faces; kind of gave away that they were the perpetrators.’

‘Yeah, why doesn’t that surprise me?’ said Maggie.

Over the last few weeks, Jasmine had received a slew of calls from unfamiliar or withheld numbers. When she’d answered,she was met with either an eerie silence or someone alleging to be from her bank or trying to sell her something. She found both varieties irritating though the silent calls had begun to make her feel uneasy, sending a spike of anxiety through her whenever her phone rang. It was why she’d come to the decision not to answer any numbers that weren’t in her contact list or whose identity was withheld. If anyone genuinely wanted to reach her, she figured they’d leave a message and she’d get back to them if necessary.

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