Page 33 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘That’s fantastic, Jazz!’ Maggie said when she’d finished.

‘Sounds to me like it could be the answer to all your juggling problems,’ said Stella, the star-shaped diamond earrings she always wore glinting in the light.

‘That’s what I’m hoping.’ Along with calming her worries, Jasmine’s chats with Lark and Stella had also freed up some headspace, and, on top of being able to give Lady Caro’s brief further consideration, it had also set other ideas racing through her mind. ‘Which is why I could really do with running a few things past you all, get your opinion.’

‘Fire away,’ said Maggie.

Jasmine inhaled deeply and shared her potential plans for giving up at least one of her part-time jobs. ‘I reckon I’d still have time to take orders for celebration cakes from other customers, and if I up my prices a bit – not by too much, mind, I don’t want to put people off – it should boost my earnings. Though I reckon I should be bringing my wedding cakes more in line with what Lady Caro’s going to charge. There’s a lot of work involved, and doing the costings for my meeting with her has made me realise what I currently ask doesn’t really cover the amount of time they take.’

‘It’s all sounding good so far, Jazz,’ said Stella.

‘Actually, that reminds me, I was going to ask about putting in a regular order for some of your tray bakes and cupcakes for us to sell in the tearoom at the bookshop. Would you be okay with that, Jazz?’ asked Florrie.

‘I’d be more than okay with that, flower. And, naturally, I’d give you mates’ rates.’

Florrie shook her head. ‘Ed and I have already discussed this in anticipation of you saying that, and we both agree that all deals are off unless we can pay the same as everyone else.’

‘But you?—’

Florrie held up her palm. ‘No buts, Jazz. It’s the going rate or nowt.’

‘Ooh, I love it when our little Florrie gets all assertive,’ said Maggie.

‘Yeah, it’s definitely a case of “don’t mess”,’ said Stella.

‘I’m thinking it’d probably be the cleaning job I’d give up, purely because of the number of Saturday shifts it involves; it’s a busy changeover day for the holiday cottages on Spick ‘n’ Sparkle’s books. Though I wouldn’t drop your mum in it and leave her short-staffed, Stells. I’ve been approached by a couple of the mums at school who’ve asked if I know if any shifts aregoing. I reckon they’d be okay.’ Jasmine had been to their houses to collect her children on several occasions, and could vouch that their homes were immaculate, which would suit Alice Hutton’s exacting standards.

‘Mum would be chuffed to bits to hear your reason for leaving is because of your cake decorating business. And she most certainly wouldn’t want you to be fretting about finding your replacement.’

‘I’d still want to clean for Hilda, though, if your mum would let me. I’d miss her too much if I stopped, plus it’s when I drop her shopping round, but regardless of that, she’s not keen on change. Poor old soul’s still devastated about losing Enid.’ Jasmine’s gaze fell to the table. ‘Come to think of it, so am I. Knocked the stuffing out of both of us.’

Hilda Jenkins and Enid Lambton had been lifelong best friends. In their mid-eighties, the widows were Micklewick Bay born and bred. Both prided themselves on being agile – or “as fit as a lop” as Hilda regularly said, using a Yorkshire variation of “fit as a flea” – and both had a fiercely independent streak. Whereas Hilda had a son and grandchildren who called on her every so often, Enid and her husband had never been blessed with children, and other than a cousin from Lincoln she mentioned with a vague wave of her hand, she had no close living relatives that Jasmine was aware of. As soon as Jasmine got through the door for her weekly cleaning shift, Enid would make a pot of tea and insist the younger woman sat down with her and had a catch up, both of them munching on the homemade shortbread biscuits Enid prided herself on, and sipping tea out of delicate china cups – ‘Might as well do it properly, lovey. I always think tea tastes so much better out of china,’ she’d say. As Jasmine busied herself tidying and doing the odd bit of ironing, Enid would entertain her with stories of her and Hilda’s antics from when they were younger, filling herin on the gossip that had been flying around town in the sixties and seventies. By all accounts they’d been a couple of live wires, full of spirit and fun. Enid had a wickedly sharp sense of humour and a mischievous twinkle in her eye which tickled Jasmine. She’d grown very fond of her elderly friend and found herself looking forward to her shifts there. The feeling was mutual, with Enid watching out of the window, waiting for her young friend’s car to arrive. Seeing her peering around the curtains had made Jasmine’s heart squeeze with affection for her.

Both ladies had shown an interest in the celebration cakes Jasmine made, encouraging her to consider it as a potential business, and priding themselves on spreading the word. Jasmine knew she’d got a whole tranche of commissions because of them singing her praises to their wide circle of friends, and she was inordinately grateful for their kindness.

It was last winter when Enid had struggled to shake off a virus and ended up in hospital that things had changed. Jasmine had called round for her usual shift to find her elderly friend slumped in her favourite chair, her breathing laboured and her skin waxy. ‘Oh, Enid, lovey, you don’t look at all well.’ She’d taken her hand, shocked at how icy-cold it felt. ‘And you’re absolutely nithered. You should’ve rung me as soon as you started to feel poorly, I’d have been here like a shot, brought you some nice warm soup round.’ Enid had squeezed her hand and smiled weakly, her once bright eyes now so dimmed it had startled Jasmine. She’d immediately called an ambulance, wishing with all her might for it to arrive quickly. While they’d waited, she’d set to, snuggling Enid up in a couple of blankets and doing all she could to make sure her friend was as comfortable as was possible in the circumstances. When the paramedics arrived, they’d wasted no time in whisking Enid off to Middleton-le-Moors hospital. Sadly, she died of pneumonia a week later, her loss hitting both Hilda and Jasmine hard.

And now she was considering giving up her cleaning job, there was no way Jasmine was going to abandon Hilda, who was slowly working her way through the grieving process by talking about her best friend, tears spilling down the paper-thin skin of her cheeks as she clung onto Jasmine’s hands. Just thinking about it brought a lump to Jasmine’s throat. She made a mental note to take a bunch of flowers and a couple of homemade cupcakes to her next shift at Hilda’s.

‘I’m sure Mum’ll be fine with that arrangement, Jazz. She knows you and Hilda are close.’

‘Yeah, I reckon she will.’ Jasmine pushed the shadow of sadness away. Stella’s mum had already expressed her concern about how withdrawn Hilda had become. Between them, they’d agreed to keep an eye on her. Hilda adored children and was always glad to see Zak and Chloe when Jasmine had popped in with them after school a couple of times, surreptitiously checking to make sure her friend was doing okay. Hilda had listened as Zak had told her all about his love of football and how he was hoping to be accepted for the Micklewick Lions’ junior team. ‘By, that sounds “mint”, young man,’ Hilda had said, picking up on the youngster’s term for something that was really good. She’d also listened to Chloe sing, and had even accompanied her on the piano. She’d clasped the little girl’s hands, saying, ‘You have the voice of an angel, lovey.’ Both children had grown fond of the older lady, with Chloe presenting her with a daisy chain she’d made on her last visit which had delighted Hilda no end.

‘Right then, onto my other news – unless you fancy a break from hearing me wittering on?’ Jasmine felt like she’d been talking for ages without giving her friends a chance to share their news.

‘Don’t be so daft, of course we want to hear what else has been happening,’ said Stella. ‘My week’s been quite tame so far, so I’ve got nothing much new to share.’

‘What with your work and your private life, I’d never associate the word “tame” with you, Stells,’ Maggie said, making them all chuckle.

‘That’s rum coming from you, Mags. Have you forgotten about last year?’ Stella replied. Maggie and Bear’s marriage had been tested to the limits by the unexpected arrival of her estranged cousin Robyn who had caused a whirlwind of trouble during her short stay with them. At one point, they’d been worried they’d never be able to get rid of her.

‘Ugh! Don’t remind me. I still can’t help checking over my shoulder, just to make sure she hasn’t returned with an evil glint in her eye.’ Maggie gave a shudder. ‘Anyway, that’s enough about her.’

‘Too right,’ said Florrie. Being the friend closest to Maggie, she and Ed had witnessed much of what had gone on, particularly just before Robyn had left.

‘Oh, aye, and I just want to mention that the lasses have brought me up to speed about an unpleasant character called Scraggo and his kids, and your friend called Max,’ Maggie told her. ‘Bear and me were really sorry to hear Zak and Chloe were having a hard time at school because of them. Bear was totally gobsmacked to hear that family were back in town. And I know I never met them, but I’ve heard plenty about them, none of it good. At least you’ve nipped it in the bud at school and Zak and Chloe are okay. It’s refreshing to hear the headteacher takes bullying seriously. Anyroad, you know where we are if you need us.’

‘Thanks, flower.’ Jasmine held on to the hope that the headteacher would keep a close watch on things. She went on to share her news about the letter from Bart’s parents, segueingstraight into how she needed to find somewhere new to live. Needless to say, these two updates weren’t as well received by the friends as the Danskelfe Castle news.

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