Page 43 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘I saw it had started to rain and I remembered you didn’t have a coat, thought you might need a lift.’

She glanced over to the shiny vehicle she’d seen parked on the gravel at his house. ‘But I’m absolutely drenched, I’ll leave a soggy puddle in your car,’ she said through chattering teeth.

‘You think I’m bothered about that kind of thing?’ he asked, as thunder reverberated around them. ‘Come on, let’s get out of this crazy weather.’

Lightning lit up the sky again, illuminating the grey storm clouds that were angrily tumbling over one another. Max took Jasmine’s hand and they raced over to the car, her feet squelching in her sandals. He opened the door for her and she jumped in gratefully.

‘Ugh! I feel liked a drowned rat!’ She ran her hand over her hair that was plastered to her head. She was sure she must look a sight.

‘Well, you’re the prettiest drowned rat I’ve ever seen.’

‘No one’s ever said that to me before.’ They both burst out laughing at that. If there was a compliment in there, Jasmine chose to ignore it.

‘Right then, Jingilby, let’s get you home. It’s Rosemary Terrace, isn’t it?’

‘That’s right, the less salubrious part of town.’

He looked across at her but didn’t say anything.

With the wipers swishing frantically back and forth on the windscreen, she guided him along the streets to her home, thinking she’d never been in a car as fancy as this one. The seats – which had taken her completely by surprise by growing warm – were plush leather. ‘I make no apologies if I start steaming,’ she joked. The dashboard had a variety of screens that she thought were more akin to an aircraft’s cockpit. It was a far cry from the ancient little banger she drove – when it was working, of course. And then there was his mossy cologne that lingered. She inhaled deeply, her senses sitting up and taking notice.

‘Now, don’t be shocked by my home. I dare say it’s probably half the size of your garden shed,’ she said as they pulled up outside it.

‘Size isn’t everything.’

She gave him a sideways look, catching his eye. ‘Bet you say that to all the girls,’ she quipped, and they both burst out laughing.

‘I can’t believe I just said that.’ Max clapped his hand to his forehead. ‘I just meant something doesn’t have to be big to be… Ugh!’

Jasmine watched him squirm, her eyebrows quirking in amusement. ‘I get your point. Now, would you like to come in for a cuppa, or do you need to get back to the party?’

As grateful as she was for the lift and thought it only polite to invite Max in, she really wanted to make a start on planning her next cake or it was going to be another late night. She didn’t even want to think about the pile of ironing that would be waiting for her.

‘Much as I’d love to, I’m aware you’ve got things to do, and I should probably be heading back to Connor and his mates. I could drop Zak off in the morning, if you like? Or whenever suits, he’s welcome to stay with us as long as he fancies. I know Connor would love that. I could maybe grab a cup of tea then, do a bit more catching up, if you’ve got time?’

‘Sounds good.’ With the rain drumming on the roof of the car, Jasmine became suddenly acutely aware of her close proximity to Max. From her seat, the gold flashes in his hazel eyes were more noticeable, as were the freckles he’d evidently hung on to from boyhood. She felt a flutter in her stomach and was sure she could hear her heart thumping inside her chest. She hoped he couldn’t hear it, too. That would be mortifying! She found herself being torn between wanting to spend more time with him, and wanting him to leave. Fear of the unfamiliar feelings he’d triggered had unsettled her. She needed to regain an element of control, put them in order and get back to normal. Max Grainger is an old friend, you’re pleased he’s back, happy he’s doing well for himself. That’s all it is, nothing more.

‘Tell you what, we could always go to my parents’ house straight from here, if you like?’ she said. ‘Say, midday?’

‘Won’t the weather mean the barbecue’s cancelled?’

‘My mum’ll do a roast if it’s still raining; she’ll be keeping a close eye on the forecast, she likes to be organised.’

‘I remember,’ Max said fondly. ‘I’m really looking forward to seeing her and Uncle Steve again. And I’m not saying your mum’s Sunday roasts are the reason I came back to Micklewick Bay, but they were pretty legendary!’

‘I can’t wait to see their faces when they realise who you are.’ They both smiled at that, Jasmine wondering if Max would tell her what had brought him back to the town. ‘Oh, and Ernest’s welcome, too.’

‘You sure?’

‘I’m positive.’

‘You’re moving, or is that for next door?’ He nodded towards the For Sale sign.

‘No, it’s advertising mine,’ she said wearily. ‘The landlord’s decided he wants to sell up. He reckons property round here has suddenly become very desirable. Given me a bit of a headache to be honest; rental properties like this are hard to come by. I’ve already had one of the town’s most unsavoury businessmen sniffing round it. You might know him: Dick Swales, a.k.a. Dodgy Dick.’

‘Hmm. I know of him.’ Max paused for a moment, looking thoughtful. ‘I can imagine Victorian terraces like yours have retained a lot of their original features. They’ll be perfect for first-time buyers who have a bit of money in their pocket.’

‘I s’pose so.’Lucky them.

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