Page 64 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘Oh.’ Florrie’s hand froze over the tea caddy. ‘Sorry, Jazz, I thought it was later. How did it go?’

‘No worries, and it went well as far as the Forsters are concerned. Mr Cuthbert was really nice actually, suggested contacting the pawnbrokers where Bart was a regular.’

‘Why do I get the feeling there’s a but?’

‘It’s not really abutas such. While I was there, he brought up something else that took me completely by surprise.’

‘Right,’ Florrie said, drawing out the word.

She listened as Jasmine explained about the misplaced correspondence, clamping her hand over her mouth when Jasmine told her how Enid Lambton, the elderly lady she used to clean for, had bequeathed her a sum of money.

‘You’re joking? Enid, Hilda’s friend?’

‘I’m not joking at all. Look.’ Jasmine fished out the letter, handing it over to her friend. ‘It just doesn’t seem right, somehow. Makes me feel like I’ve done something a bit dodgy.’ Jasmine gave a shudder. ‘I’m not so sure I should accept it.’

Florrie handed the letter back to Jasmine, fixing her with a sympathetic look. ‘Listen, flower, I totally understand, it was the same for me when Mr H willed me a share in this place. I nearly didn’t take it for the reasons you’ve just stated.’

‘That’s why I’d appreciate your advice. I’d hate for people to think I only did her shopping and called on her just so she’d leave me something in her will. It’d honestly never crossed my mind. It’s the sort of thing that makes me feel I shouldn’t accept it.’

‘I’ll tell you what made me accept what Mr H had bequeathed to me,’ said Florrie. ‘It was being told that it was what Mr H had wanted, that he hadn’t made the decision lightly, that he’d given it considerable thought. And if I refused it, then I’d be going against his wishes.’

Jasmine nodded. ‘I remember you saying you’d been told that at the time.’

‘Enid thought a lot about you, Jazz, she used to come in here to get her books, telling us all about how kind-hearted you were, and how she used to look forward to your shifts, plus all the other times you called in to check on her, grab her some shopping, or drop a cake in for her. You brightened her days, and she’s chosen to remember you in her will to show you how much it meant to her.’

Jasmine hadn’t thought of it like that, she hadn’t given herself much of a chance to think of it at all really.

‘Do you honestly think that’s why she did it?’

‘’Course I do. There’s no other reason – and before you say it, no, I definitely don’t think she thought of you as a “charity case”.’ Florrie gave Jasmine a pointed look. ‘You need to stop overthinking, and accept Enid’s gift, just as I did with Mr H’s. End of, the lasses would tell you the same.’ She gave a wide smile. ‘Anyroad, change of subject, how’s things with you and Max? Tell all.’

‘Firstly, there is no me and Max.’ She gave Florrie a stern look. ‘But it would seem he’s going to be my new landlord, unless I find somewhere else to live, that is.’

Florrie’s eyebrows knitted together. ‘Max is going to be your landlord?’

‘Yup.’ Jasmine rolled her eyes. ‘He’s been buying up a load of property in the town and he’s put an offer in on my house and it’s been accepted.’

‘Okay.’ Florrie rubbed her fingertips over her brow. ‘There’s clearly a lot for us to catch up on, but that aside, how do you feel about him owning your home?’

‘I feel a bit niggled to be honest. Almost like I have to be grateful to him, which isn’t a nice feeling actually. My head’s all over the place with everything.’

‘Hardly surprising considering the last couple of weeks you’ve had.’ Florrie handed Jasmine a mug of tea before sitting down in the chair opposite.

‘How did you find out?’

As well as giving Florrie a highly abridged version of what had happened since she’d first seen Max, telling her she’d explain it all in more detail on Friday at the Jolly when the rest of the group were there, Jasmine relayed what had happened earlier that day. She kept out the matter of her feelings for her old friend; there was no point in sharing that now. Though the reminder of Dodgy Dick and his wife had made her blood boil all over again.

Florrie took a sip of her tea, contemplating what she’d just heard. ‘I can see that Max means well, but I can understand why it would make you feel uncomfortable. I reckon I’d be the same if I were in your shoes.’

Jasmine sighed. It felt good to know she wasn’t the only one who felt that way, that she wasn’t overreacting.

Florrie sat up straight. ‘Actually, you do realise you have a solution, don’t you?’

‘Do I?’

‘That little nest egg Enid left you, would you consider putting it towards the rent of a more expensive property?’

Jasmine took a moment to consider Florrie’s suggestion. She hadn’t even got as far as thinking about what she’d do with the money if she kept it. The house on Wilkinthorpe Road popped into her mind, making her feel suddenly brighter. ‘You know, that’s not a bad idea. Has anyone ever told you you’re a genius, Florrie?’

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