Page 44 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

After a couple of minutes’ small talk, she unclicked her seat belt. ‘Right, I’d best go, but thanks for the lift and helping me see Scraggo off.’

‘Hey, you had it all under control, you didn’t need any help from me.’ Max raised his hands, chuckling.

‘That may be so, but I appreciate the moral support all the same.’ Stella had seen to it that the group of friends had all attended self-defence classes. Her line of work as a criminal barrister had made her aware that there were some decidedly unpleasant characters out there, and she’d told her friends she wanted to make sure they could all defend themselves if necessary. Jasmine had enjoyed the empowering feeling it had given her, not that she’d ever had to put it to use. After her encounter with Jason Scragg, it made her glad to have it under her belt.

She went to open the door, but struggled to find the handle. ‘How the bloomin’ ’eck do I get out? It’s like some kind of mental agility test.’ She laughed.

‘It’s just here. S’cuse me.’ Max leant across as Jasmine pushed herself back into her seat, the skin of his arm brushing against hers.

‘Oh!’ His touch had sent an unexpected bolt of electricity shooting through her, briefly knocking her off kilter. She cleared her throat. ‘So, that’s where the handle is,’ she said, adopting a casual tone.

Their eyes met as he went to move back. Jasmine could feel the colour rise in her cheeks and dropped her gaze to her hands.

‘Well, um… thanks again for the lift.’

‘No problem.’

‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘You will, indeed.’ Max smiled, giving a happy sigh. ‘I know I keep saying it, but it really has been great to see you again, Jingilby. You and your family have never been far from my thoughts ever since I left.’ He leant across and kissed her cheek. ‘See you tomorrow.’

‘Yeah, see you tomorrow.’

How she’d managed the short walk across the pavement and into her house, Jasmine would never know. Her legs felt like they could buckle under her at any minute as she kicked off her sodden sandals and made her way down the hall to the kitchen. What was going on with her? Why was Max Grainger, her friend of over twenty years ago, making her feel all unnecessary after suddenly bursting back into her life? It made no sense.

And it wasn’t just that, but the feelings that were currently swirling around her, she’d switched them off years ago, swearing to herself she was never going to let another man in, that she wasn’t going to expose herself to hurt and heartache again. She’d built her walls so high, she could barely see over them. Which was just the way she liked it. It had been just her and the kids for the last seven years, and that was how it was going to stay.

She released a frustrated groan as she headed upstairs to get changed out of her wet clothes. She wasn’t ready to head down that route; she had too many other things to occupy her thoughts.

The Scraggo incident, for example. The reminder of her unexpected confrontation with her former nemesis had a sobering effect. She quickly made up her mind to alert the staff at school about what had happened, the threats he’d made. She wasn’t going to allow his bullying ways to intimidate her, and nor was she going to tolerate his children targeting Zak and Chloe because of the history between her and their father. He and they needed to get the message as soon as possible.

TWENTY-ONE

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear with a cerulean sky washed clear of the rain and storm clouds of the previous evening. The sun was shining brightly and the birds were singing. Jasmine had just finished hanging a load of washing on the line in the small backyard when she heard the sound of a car pulling up outside.

Moments later, Zak burst through the door, Connor close behind. Both were wearing their Micklewick Lions football strip.

‘Mum! Mum! Are Connor and Max really coming for a barbecue with us at Grandma and Grandad’s?’ Zak asked excitedly.

‘Hi, Zak. Hi, Connor.’ Jasmine smiled at the two boys. ‘Yes, they really are.’ Jasmine smoothed her hand over her son’s head. She resisted the urge to kiss him, not wanting to make him feel self-conscious.

‘Awesome!’ said Zak.

‘Mint!’ said Connor.

‘Connor’s dad has a really cool car. He said I can drive it when I’m old enough.’

‘Oh, wow! That’s kind of him.’

‘I know!’

‘Hi, Jingilby.’

Jasmine’s attention was drawn to the doorway to see Max standing there, Zak’s backpack in his hand, aviator sunglasses pushed back onto his head. He was looking casually stylish in a striped short-sleeved shirt and chinos, a pair of leather trainers on his feet. The smile he gave made her heart give an unexpected flutter.

‘Hi, Max.’ She smiled back at him.

‘Are the plans for today still on?’ he asked. Jasmine was sure she detected a hopeful gleam in his eye.

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