Page 58 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘You’re honoured, Max,’ said Jasmine. ‘Hilda doesn’t share her shortbread with just anyone, you know.’

Hilda started to chuckle, waving her hand in front of her face. ‘I’ve just remembered something your mum told me, Jasmine.’

‘You have?’

Hilda nodded, still chuckling. From the mischievous gleam in her eyes, Jasmine had a feeling she wasn’t going to like what she was about to hear next.

‘Come on, Hilda, don’t keep us dangling,’ Max said, laughing himself.

Hilda patted her chest, her laughter finally subsiding. ‘It’s something you said, Max, just before you left with your grandad. Mind, it was such a long time ago, you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t get the words in exactly the right order.’

Jasmine groaned inwardly, her heart plummeting all the way to the black trainers she wore for work. She gave Max a sideways look, noting his smile had fallen and he was squirming in his seat. It would appear that he remembered, too.

Hilda!

‘It was when you were walking down the path with your grandad, and you turned round and said something like. “Jasmine, I’m gonna make my millions, get a big, fast car and drive all the way back to Micklewick Bay so I can marry you.”’ Hilda pressed her hand to her mouth, her giggles resurfacing. ‘I always thought that was so sweet.’

An awkward silence hung in the air for what felt like forever, Jasmine racking her brains for something to say that was totally unrelated to Hilda’s bombshell. Of course, Jasmine had remembered it. In fact, she’d been thankful her parents hadn’t brought it up on Sunday when Max had joined them for the barbecue – or since, for that matter. Though she was going to have a serious word with her mum about sharing it with Hilda. She’d sworn both her parents to secrecy at the time, making them promise they wouldn’t tell anyone else what Max had said. Jasmine took a sip of her tea, taking sanctuary behind the cup and willing Hilda to change the subject.

‘I remember,’ said Max, keeping his tone light. ‘And it was Jingilby, not Jasmine.’

‘Jingilby? Oh, yes, of course, silly me. Now you mention it, I can recall Heather telling me you always used to call her Jingilby, and Jasmine would only allow you to use the nickname, no one else.’

Two dots of colour blazed on Jasmine’s cheeks. Much as she tried to resist, she felt the pull of Max’s gaze. Her eyes met his, the look she saw there setting her insides dancing in a way she hadn’t expected.

‘So, is that why you’re here, then, Max?’ Hilda asked, undeterred. ‘Have you made your millions and got yourself a fancy, fast car?’

Jasmine pinned her elderly friend with a warning glare. Unfazed, Hilda merely smiled sweetly as she awaited Max’s response.

Max laughed, clearly amused by Hilda’s mischief-making. ‘Well, I’m doing okay for myself, and I suppose I’ve got a nice enough car, but as far as?—’

‘Actually, Max, before I forget, Zak wanted me to ask if it’s okay for Connor to come for his tea one night soon.’ It wasthe first thing that sprang into Jasmine’s mind to send the conversation in a different direction.

‘Er, yeah, I know he’d love that.’

‘What were you going to say before Jasmine interrupted, Max?’ asked Hilda.

Jeez, Hilda! Talk about persistent.Jasmine ploughed on, ignoring Hilda’s question. ‘Great! I’ll check my calendar and we can fix a day. Oh, and how come you were driving along the top prom this morning? I thought you said your office was in Middleton-le-Moors.’ She always gabbled when she was nervous or uncomfortable.

‘Ooh, Middleton-le-Moors is a lovely little place, full of fancy shops. Not that I’ve been for a while,’ said Hilda.

Despite her discomfort, it struck Jasmine that she hadn’t seen Hilda so perky or her cheeks so rosy since before Enid had passed away. And though she would’ve preferred it if Hilda hadn’t reminded them of Max’s parting words, seeing her friend looking brighter, took the edge off her irritation.

‘It is a nice spot,’ said Max. ‘I’ll be heading over there later this morning. And, in answer to your question, Jingilby, the reason I was driving along the prom was because I was on my way to Old Micklewick. I’ve just bought the old bakery on Mariner Street. I’m meeting a builder there in’ – he checked his watch – ‘about ten minutes.’

‘Oh, right.’The old bakery? So Max is the mystery new owner.She wasn’t sure what to think about this information. Would she feel comfortable having Max as her landlord, or would it put her off enquiring if it would be available to rent? There was no doubting it would add another dimension to their friendship. That aside, apart from Campion’s of York, he didn’t appear to have hung on to any of his other businesses, which means he’d more than likely bought the old bakery to do up andsell, and therefore, have no plans to rent it out. Which would rule it out as a contender in the hunt for a new home anyway.

Jasmine felt an unexpected pang of disappointment, but remained quiet. She’d keep Lark’s suggestion to herself.

Max took a final sip of his tea before setting his cup and saucer down on the table. ‘Well, Hilda, thank you for the tea and the delicious shortbread, but I’d best be heading off. I don’t want to be late for my appointment.’

‘Of course, lovey, but don’t forget, you’re very welcome to call in any time, though you might prefer a Tuesday morning when our Jasmine’s here.’ Hilda gave him a conspiratorial smile.

‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ He pushed himself up, flicking a look at Jasmine who quickly busied herself gathering up the cups and saucers, deliberately avoiding meeting his eye. ‘It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Hilda, and I’ll be sure to call in again soon.’ He bent and delivered a kiss to the older lady’s cheek which seemed to delight her no end.

‘See you later, Jingilby.’

Jasmine jumped to her feet, tray in hand – setting the china and teaspoons clinking and clattering – putting some distance between herself and Max, just in case he was minded to kiss her, too. She wasn’t ready for such gestures in front of Hilda. ‘Yep, see you, Max. I’ll be in touch about Connor coming round.’

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