Page 40 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

Jasmine couldn’t have been more relieved when half a dozen rosy-cheeked boys bounded into the kitchen, filling the room with their energy and enthusiasm, snuffing out the awkwardness that had started to swamp her. Hot on their heels was Ernest, his ears flapping, tongue lolling, and if his expression was anything to go by, he seemed to be having as much fun as the boys.

Spotting their visitor, Ernest raced over to her, but he was going at such a pace, he skidded straight past her and spun around on the polished marble floor, making everyone howl with laughter. Even Sabrina cracked a smile, albeit small.

With his paws scrabbling to gain purchase, Ernest finally reached Jasmine, pushing his head onto her lap, his fluffy tail wagging at great speed. She looked down at the two amber eyes gazing up at her and her heart melted. ‘Hello again, Ernest.’ She smoothed her hand over his soft head. ‘You having fun?’ Ernest’s tail wagging upped its speed and he gave a happy whimper. Jasmine gave him a tickle behind the ear.

‘You’ve made a friend for life if you keep doing that,’ Max said, folding his arms across his chest as he looked on.

‘Don’t know about you, Ernest, but I’d be happy with that.’ Jasmine giggled at the dog’s blissed-out expression.

In the next moment, Sabrina clicked her tongue and called for Ernest. ‘Come on, out you get, mister. You can’t go pushing yourself onto strangers like that, you know.’ She took him by the collar and led him away from Jasmine, and out into the garden. Sliding the large glass door shut, she left Ernest peering in at them, puzzled as to why he’d been banished.

Jasmine wanted to say she was a dog lover and really didn’t mind but thought better of it. She had a feeling such a comment wouldn’t go down well with Max’s PA.

‘Hiya, Mum.’ Zak appeared beside her. It hadn’t escaped Jasmine’s attention that his face had fallen as soon as he’d spotted her. ‘How come you’re here?’ he asked.

‘Just dropping off your sleepover stuff. You left your backpack in your bedroom.’

‘Ah, cool. Thanks.’ His expression brightened, lighting up his eyes. ‘We’ve been having a totally mint time and we’re going for a swim in the indoor pool after we’ve had some ice lollies. Connor’s got an inflatable dinosaur. Then after that we’re gonna watch a movie in the private cinema.’

‘Sounds like you’re having loads of fun.’ Her eyes landed on Connor. She was struck by how much he resembled Max at that age, from his hazel eyes, russet curls and cheeky smile. He even had a crop of freckles that danced over his nose and cheeks, just as his dad used to have. She wondered what part of him resembled his mother.

With the ice lollies devoured, the boys had changed into their swimming shorts and headed to the indoor pool which, Jasmine was informed, was in the basement and next door to the room that housed the cinema. Sabrina accompanied them to keep an eye on things and to make sure they played safely. Jasmine felt instantly at ease once she’d gone. If Max had noticed the atmosphere had lifted, he kept it to himself.

They slipped back into their reminiscences, keeping the topics light, skirting around the less palatable subjects, like Scraggo and Max’s father’s arrest. They were definitely best left for another day. Apart from the Friday evenings at the Jolly with her friends, she’d forgotten what it was like to switch off and have an impromptu chat like this. It felt good and reminded her of how Max used to be such easy company.

Jasmine’s eye caught the large clock on the wall, giving her a jolt. ‘Crikey, is that the time? I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to stay so long.’ She hoped she hadn’t interfered with Max’s plans for Connor’s birthday or over-stayed her welcome.

‘You’ve hardly been here any time at all. You’re welcome to stay for dinner, if you like?’ Was that a hopeful look in Max’s eye she detected? She wasn’t so sure the same welcome would be extended by Sabrina.

‘Sounds lovely, but I’d best get back. I’ve got another cake to make a start on.’ She jumped up, tucking the bar stool under the island. The unfriendly vibes that had radiated from Sabrina had unsettled her a little and she doubted her presence there any longer, never mind joining them for food later on, would go down well. Though things had improved somewhat, after the week she’d had, Jasmine still felt drained and would rather not have to spend her evening negotiating the PA’s hostility. ‘And I’ve pulled you away from Connor’s party way too much already.’

‘You really haven’t; he’ll be having a much better time without his uncool dad hanging around him and his mates and cracking sad dad jokes.’

‘Hardly. But I reckon Zak would prefer it if I went, so I’ll head back home.’

‘That’s a shame, we’ve still got so much to catch up on. I want to hear all about what you’ve been up to, hear about your parents, and Jonathan – how’s he doing, by the way?’ Max shoved his hands into the pockets of his shorts.

‘Jonathan’s fine.’ Mention of her big brother made her smile. ‘He’s still footie mad, much to Flic, his wife’s, frustration. They have their own building firm, live just outside of York in a house Jon built – with their two boys, who are also footie mad.’ An idea started circling around her mind.

‘Sounds like life’s treated him well.’

‘It has; he’s happy as Larry.’ She hooked her bag over her shoulder, fiddling with the zip as she made up her mind whether to share what she’d been thinking.

‘That’s good to hear. Tell him I was asking after him next time you see him.’

‘Will do.’ She loitered a moment. ‘Listen, this is just a suggestion, but why don’t you and Connor join us at my parents’ for lunch tomorrow? Dad’s doing a barbecue, there’ll be plenty of food to go round.’ She recalled how Max always used to get excited by her parents’ barbecues. ‘Like I said, they’d be over the moon to see you. They often mention you, wondering how you’re doing.’

‘They do?’

‘Of course. They thought a lot about you, Max.’ She looked up to see a pair of gentle eyes gazing back at her, faint shadows of the past lingering behind them. ‘You turning up with a Max mini-me would absolutely make their day,’ she said with a laugh. ‘Unless you’ve got other plans, of course.’

‘I’d love to see your parents again, and, if you’re sure it’ll be okay, tomorrow sounds perfect. We can all have a catch up together.’

‘Fab. They still live in the same house, believe it or not. Think you can find your way?’ she asked jokingly.

‘Jingilby, I could always find my way to your parents’ home.’ He held her gaze for several long moments.

After refusing his offer of a lift home, Max swept her into a tight hug, kissing her cheek. ‘I can’t tell you how good it is to see you again, Jingilby.’

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