Page 34 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘First off – and I just want to get this out of the way, cos you already know how I feel about that family, particularly Gary flaming Forster – I honestly thought that miserable pair couldn’t stoop any lower, but this proves me wrong.’ Maggie shook her head in disgust, colour rising in her cheeks. She’d been involved in a road accident caused by Gary Forster when she was pregnant with Lucy and had ended up in hospital. He’d driven off and denied all knowledge, until a witness had come forward. Mercifully, both mother and baby were unharmed. ‘In the letter back, you should get old Mr Cuthbert to tell them you’ll take legal action if they don’t leave you alone and stop hounding you.’

‘I agree,’ said Florrie. ‘Shut them up, once and for all.’

‘That’s what I’ve advised her to do,’ said Stella.

‘As for you having to move house, I’ve been thinking about it and I reckon it might not be a bad thing in the long run,’ said Florrie. ‘I mean, your landlord always takes an age to fix anything.’

‘True,’ said Maggie. ‘That combi-boiler is as old as the hills and Bear says the only reason the window frames haven’t dropped out is cos you keep painting them, which I don’t need to remind you is actually the landlord’s job to sort out.’

Jasmine couldn’t argue with Bear’s assessment. As well as working for his parents at Clifftop Farm, Bear was an odd-job man and was highly regarded in the town. Micklewick Mansions used him to carry out repairs and paint the properties on their books – landlords permitting, of course. But Jasmine’s landlord was never keen to dip his hand in his pocket. Instead, he advised her and his other tenants he’d take care of such things himself. Which was something he rarely got around to doing.

‘Moving away from the Forsters, slippery landlords and the dreaded Scraggs, and in a bid to keep things light and positive,’ Lark chipped in, ‘I’ve got an idea that might solve your accommodation problem and add an extra dimension to your cake baking business, Jazz.’

‘Ooh, I’m all ears.’ Jasmine was glad to move the conversation away from the things that had given her so much grief that week, but she couldn’t begin to think what Lark was going to suggest.

‘Me, too,’ said Stella.

‘So, you know the old bakery on Mariner Street down here in Old Micklewick has just been sold?’

‘I’d heard that,’ said Florrie. ‘And I’d also heard that Dodgy Dick and his cronies were beaten to it, which is always good news.’

‘Isn’t it just?’ said Maggie.

‘What about the old bakery?’ Jasmine asked.

‘Well, if rumours are to be believed, it’s supposed to be coming up for rent.’

Jasmine blinked at her, not sure why her friend would think a former bakery would solve her accommodation dilemma, never mind add anything to her business. But Lark was all fired up, which had piqued her interest.

‘Go on,’ said Stella, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand.

‘I know that look, Jazz, but bear with me,’ said Lark, evidently picking up on her friend’s doubt.

‘You have my full, undivided attention,’ Jasmine reassured her.

‘Good. So, the property comes with living accommodation – three bedrooms – and a cute little garden area at the back.AndI’ve heard a whisper the landlord is keen to rent it to a local small business at an affordable price.’ Lark swept her gaze around thetable. ‘Apparently, it needs quite a bit of updating and the décor in the living quarters is supposed to be a bit on the grim side, but I was thinking, if you found out who the landlord is, then you could get in before anyone else, express an interest, potentially save them having to advertise. And, if you think it’d be any good, you might be able to have some input into the redecoration.’

Jasmine took in her friend’s excited expression. Loath as she was to pour cold water over Lark’s well-intended suggestion, she felt the need to rein things in a little. ‘I know you mentioned something about the price being reasonable, but isn’t it still likely to be out of my budget? I mean, with it being a business premises as well as living accommodation, wouldn’t we be talking twice the price? And I know rental property is virtually non-existent in Micklewick Bay, so I can see why you’d suggest it, but I’m not really sure why I’d want shop space as well. What would I use it for?’

‘That, dear Jazz, is where my idea to expand your business comes in.’ Lark reached for her glass of wine and took a sip, her eyes twinkling over the top.

‘Ooh, do tell,’ Florrie said, leaning in.

‘Okay.’ Lark set her glass down and flicked her mermaid plait over her shoulder, a wide smile spreading over her face, crinkling her eyes. ‘So, the obvious thing as far as I’m concerned is the baking equipment. I know the bakery was small so, though the food mixers and ovens, etc. are all commercial – I’m reliably informed they’re still there – they won’t be as huge as the equipment some bakeries have, which I think would be perfect for you. They’d be an upgrade in size without being ridiculously large, thus offering the potential to get more cakes made in one go.’

‘True,’ said Jasmine. Though she still wasn’t convinced, she was sufficiently interested to want to hear more.

‘And I reckon you could use the shop window to advertise what you offer. You know, prepare some dummy cakes and make an eye-catching display. After all, your cakes speak for themselves, Jazz.’

‘Ooh, Ed could help you out there!’ said Florrie. ‘He could construct a backdrop for you. He loves doing things like that and is full of good ideas.’

‘True.’ Jasmine nodded.

‘On top of that, you could even hold some cake decorating classes; I remember you said you’d been asked if you’d do that loads of times before and you quite liked the idea.’ She paused as if trying to read Jasmine’s expression. ‘Oh, and as far as the accommodation is concerned, I’ve been told it’s ever so cosy and cute, dodgy décor aside. The garden might need a bit of work, but we’d be happy to chip in with the old trowel and fork, wouldn’t we, lasses?’

All but Stella agreed. ‘I can’t say getting down and dirty in the mud’s my idea of fun?—’

Maggie snorted. ‘That’s not what we’d heard, Stells.’

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