Page 32 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘I reckon he’d have mentioned it if he wasn’t staying for long, or at least called at your parents’ house,’ Stella had said.

‘Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.’ In fact, Jasmine had found herself hoping that her old friend hadn’t left town and that she’d have the opportunity for a decent catch-up with him.

The following day, Jasmine made herself an appointment at Cuthbert, Asquith & Co. She’d been disappointed to find the next available slot that fitted in with her work schedule wasn’t until twelve thirty on Wednesday of the following week, but told herself at least she was being proactive. She was dealing with the situation in a calm, measured way rather than trying to talk to Bart’s parents as she’d done in the past, getting herself wound up as she tried in vain to get them to believe she didn’t have anything that belonged to them. Their son had made certain of that.

She was still waiting to hear from the garage with news of her car and whether it could be fixed and, if so, how much it would cost. That particular problem had kept her awake at night. Luckily, Kristina, a colleague at Spick ‘n’ Sparkle who had one of the cleaning company’s cars, was on holiday that week, stretching into the next, and her boss, Alice, on hearing Jasmine’s predicament, had added her name to the insurance of the vehicle, saying she could use it while Kristina was away. She’d also generously told her to make full use of the car and not just save it for getting to and from her cleaning jobs. Stella’s mother might share the same first name with Bart’s mother, but there the similarities ended. The group of friends had often joked that the two women couldn’t have been more different if they’d tried, with Alice Hutton being kind and generouswhile Alice Forster had always been brittle and mean-spirited, particularly so with Jasmine.

By the time Friday evening arrived, Jasmine was glad of the chance to catch her breath.

The rhythmic beat of a bodhran accompanied by the jaunty lilt of a fiddle floated over the hum of chatter in the crowded bar of the Jolly as the local folk band launched into one of their most popular songs. Customers tapped their feet in time to the music, some singing along. The waiting staff, in their Jolly Sailors’ T-shirts, bustled back and forth, ruddy-faced, carrying plates piled high with the landlady’s legendary fish and chips, the delicious aroma filling the air and making Jasmine’s stomach rumble.

Jasmine blew her fringe off her brow as she settled herself into her seat at the friends’ usual table. She was glad of the breeze that was sneaking in through a nearby open window, brushing over her skin and offering welcome relief after the muggy warmth of outside. The heatwave of the last couple of weeks showed no sign of abating and, if anything, the temperatures appeared to be rising. It felt as if the earth had sucked every last drop of the sun’s heat and was now throwing it back into the evening air, making it stifling and heavy.

It had been the usual Friday evening race down to the pub for Jasmine since she’d needed to add the final touches to the current birthday cake she’d been preparing. Handling sugar paste wasn’t easy in such warm conditions, it made the icing sticky and difficult to mould, hence the extra time it had taken her to complete her latest commission. As usual, her hair felt tacky with the icing sugar that had been floating around her kitchen, though tonight there was a distinct lack of edible glitter and sparkles. It transpired that the boy’s birthday cake had been ordered for Zak’s new, football-mad friend Connor, and it wasdue for collection tomorrow morning, as was a viewing of her home. Jasmine hoped the two didn’t overlap.

‘I gather you’ve been having a bit of a week of it, flower.’ Maggie gave her a sympathetic smile from the other end of the table.

‘Yeah, you could say.’ Jasmine rolled her eyes. ‘Poor old Lark here had to contend with the fallout – really sorry about that, Lark.’ Jasmine cringed with embarrassment whenever she remembered that she’d actually sobbed snotty tears into her friend’s shoulder. And if that hadn’t been toe-curlingly embarrassing enough, it had happened in the street, with people watching. She shuddered at the memory.

‘No need to apologise, Jazz.’ Lark reached across and squeezed her arm. ‘Are the aromatherapy bits and bobs helping?’

‘Do you know what? I actually think they are.’ Whenever she’d found the stress creeping back, Jasmine had reached for the rollerball filled with essential oil Lark had given her, gliding it over her temples and dabbing it on her wrists. She topped it up with a couple of spritzes of the matching spray – being sure to avoid the kitchen and the birthday cake. And though she didn’t want to say it would take more than a room spray or pillow mist to help her sleep well, she had to admit she’d slept better these last couple of nights than she had for a while. Maybe there was something in it after all. Or maybe it was simply because her body had finally given in to the exhaustion that had been threatening to drag her under.

Lark laughed. ‘Don’t sound so surprised! I knew they would; the crystals will be helping, too.’

‘Yeah, why d’you think our Lark here is always so Zen and chilled?’ Florrie chuckled.

‘It’s cos she douses herself in the stuff,’ Stella added dryly.

Jasmine couldn’t argue with that, though she held back from airing her doubts about the efficacy of the crystals, reluctant to hurt Lark’s feelings or offend her.

‘I’m looking forward to hearing all the deets of your trip to Danskelfe Castle and the meeting with Lady Caro,’ said Maggie. ‘Catch your breath first, though, Jazz, the night is young.’

‘Yep, grab yourself a mouthful of this.’ Stella passed her a glass of freshly poured Pinot Grigio.

‘Thanks, Stells.’ Jasmine took a sip then pressed the cold glass to her cheeks. ‘Ooh, bliss.’ She sighed.

Maggie had sent her friend a text on Tuesday evening, asking how the meeting had gone and, with everything else that had been happening, Jasmine had sent a brief, and hurried, reply, saying she’d fill everyone in on Friday evening. She wasn’t sure how much they all knew, or if Lark had shared what had happened on Tuesday afternoon. Though, judging by the occasional concerned glance her pals were sending her way, she suspected she’d said something. Not that Jasmine minded, she knew it would have come from a caring place and not simply to share gossip. They all looked out for one another, as they had since primary school.

And then there was Max to discuss, now they were all together. Of course, Maggie had never met him, but she’d heard them mention him on numerous occasions. Maybe she’d finally get to put the face to the name.

A warm smile lit up Florrie’s face. ‘I’m not going to spoil Jazz’s news, but while we’re waiting, all I’ll say is that it isamazing.’ She’d already explained to the rest of the group about having to give Jasmine a lift and the reason for it before Jasmine had arrived, but she hadn’t said anything further, declaring it not being her news to share.

‘Yeah, it is; it went really well and I’m over the moon. And you should have seen our Florrie here. Anyone would thinkshe was my manager the way she got stuck in promoting me and bigging me up to Lady Caro.’ Jasmine giggled, a ripple of excitement rushing through her at the reminder.

‘I wanted to make sure her ladyship was fully aware of the fabulous reputation you’ve built up with your cakes and how lucky she’d be to have you make them for the castle’s weddings.’ Florrie turned to the others. ‘I also made a point of stressing that Jazz doesn’t charge enough.’

‘Go, Florrie,’ said Maggie, ice cubes clinking as she raised her glass of lemonade. ‘We’ve all been telling you that for ages, Jazz.’

‘I know! I hope you’ve finally listened,’ said Stella, the others all agreeing.

‘Before I launch into telling you all about it, I’ll first apologise to you, Lark, for having to hear it all over again, and to you, Florrie, since you were there and already know the outcome.’

‘Happy to hear it again, flower.’ Lark beamed at her.

‘Same here,’ said Florrie.

‘Unfortunately, a lot of other, not-so-good stuff’s been going on as well, but since it’s completely unrelated to the Danskelfe Castle meeting, I’ll start with the positive news first and get to that later.’ Jasmine went on to recount the details of their visit to the castle and her conversation with Lady Caro, the friends listening intently.

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