Page 56 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

Max stepped towards Scraggo, his eyes boring into him. ‘There’s no confusion. You picked on me mercilessly. And what was that less-than-charming nickname you gave me? Oh, yeah, “Rubbish”, that was it.’

‘It was just a daft joke. I didn’t mean owt by it.’

‘So you do remember. Thought you would.’

‘Aye, well, I was just messing around.’

‘“Just messing around”, a “daft joke”. Hmm.’ Max appeared to consider that for a moment. ‘Didn’t feel much like a joke at the time, or that you were messing around. And when you tipped the contents of a rubbish bin over me in front of everyone after school, or stuffed my new coat down the toilet after covering it in paint, were you just joking then, too? It didn’t feel very funny from my perspective.’

Oh, Max, thought Jasmine, the reminder of what he’d been through triggering an ache in her heart. She hoped facing such awful memories wasn’t too painful for him.

‘I–I– ’Course I was, what else would it’ve been?’ Scraggo swallowed audibly, clearly unnerved by Max’s calmly intimidating demeanour. ‘Come on, surely you can have a laugh about it all now, mate. We were just kids.’ He gave an uncertain laugh.

‘I’m not your mate. Never was, never will be.’

What goes around, comes around. This is what Lark would call karma.Jasmine looked on, transfixed by this version of Max.

‘I don’t know what you’re making all the fuss about, looks like you’ve done all right for yourself.’ Scraggo looked Max up and down, taking in his neatly barbered hair and expensively cut clothes.

‘Oh, I have. Done more than all right, actually. But I’ve worked damned hard for it. Looking at you, I doubt very much you’d know what a day’s work feels like.’

‘Oi, just watch what you’re saying.’ Scraggo’s anger resurfaced, and he puffed his chest out once more. Max had clearly hit a nerve.

‘Trust me, I’m being very considered about what I’m saying, and let me tell you this, if you go within an inch of Jasmine,or your kids give hers any more crap, then I’ll see to it that the police are informed about your nasty little drug dealing set-up, and how you’ve been stalking and intimidating a woman. I’ll tell them how I’ve witnessed it and make sure?—’

‘Aye, and so will I, you nasty piece of work.’ The three of them were startled to see Hilda standing outside the gate to her building. Her outfit of a light-blue cardigan over a summer dress in a cheerful, floral print was at odds with the upturned sweeping brush she was brandishing. ‘And if you don’t clear off and leave our Jasmine alone, I’ll take this to you, you scrawny little thug!’ She waved the brush at him. ‘And don’t be fooled, I know how to use it! You have no idea who you’re messing with.’

Jasmine briefly locked eyes with Max, a flash of humour fleeting across his face. She was torn between wanting to rush over and hug her elderly friend, and bursting out laughing. Scraggo saved her from having to make a decision as Hilda briskly headed towards him.

‘I don’t want owt to do with any of you.’ He jabbed a finger in their direction. ‘Just keep out of my way.’

‘What?’ Jasmine looked at him, incredulous. As if she’d want anything to do with him.

The three of them watched as he turned on his heel and strutted off, his ape-swagger in full swing.

Jasmine glanced between Max and Hilda. Despite the tense situation, she couldn’t help but smile at her brush-wielding friend.

‘You okay, Jingilby?’ Max rested his hand on her shoulder.

Jasmine nodded. ‘I am now he’s gone.’

‘Well, my goodness, what a start to the day that was.’ Hilda lowered her sweeping brush and peered at Jasmine through her large-framed glasses. ‘Are you sure you’re all right, lovey?’

‘I’m fine, thanks, Hilda,’ said Jasmine. ‘And I’m very grateful for you coming to my assistance, but you really should be careful of people like that.’

‘I agree, you shouldn’t approach the likes of him, you never know what could happen,’ said Max.

Hilda harrumphed. Though she only scraped five feet in height, she appeared even more petite with Max standing beside her. ‘Aye, well, I probably wouldn’t have done that if you weren’t there.’ Her eyes wandered up to his face, her brows hitched in interest. ‘And who’s this knight in shining armour, then?’

‘I’m Max.’ He held out his hand. ‘Not so sure about the knight in shining armour bit, though,’ he said.

Hilda slipped her hand into his. ‘And I’m Hilda Jenkins.’ She turned to Jasmine. ‘Ooh, your young man’s got a lovely handshake, strong but not overpowering.Verymanly.’

Max laughed. ‘Delighted to meet you, Mrs Jenkins.’

‘It’s Hilda to you, Max.’ Her eyes shone as she gave a coquettish giggle.

‘In that case, I’m delighted to meet you,Hilda,’ he said.

---