Page 71 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘Ah, he looks it too.’ Lark looked over at the two Labradors and smiled.

‘It would seem love is in the air,’ said Stella, a hint of mischief in her voice.

‘Don’t start,’ said Jasmine. She swallowed nervously as Florrie headed towards them, Max following up behind. Stella had hit the nail on the head, he was drop-dead gorgeous. Hemade her wayward heart flutter.Time to put your big girl panties on and face what he has to say to you.

‘Hi, Max.’ She smiled up at him, and was relieved when he smiled back.

In her role as host, Florrie dealt with the introductions in her usual friendly manner. ‘Max, you remember Stella and Lark, don’t you? They’ll have grown a bit since you last saw them.’

‘Of course I remember, it’s great to see you both again.’

‘It’s great to see you too, Max.’ Stella took off her sunglasses, giving him a full appraisal before getting to her feet and giving him a hug. ‘And you’ve definitely grown! I’d never have recognised you.’

He gave a deep laugh. ‘And you’ve barely changed.’

‘Yep, still a lanky-legs.’ Stella chuckled. She’d always been tall for her age and worn her blonde hair long.

‘Max, welcome back to Micklewick Bay, I was thrilled to hear you’d returned.’ Lark enveloped him in one of her fragrant embraces.

‘Thanks, Lark, I’m thrilled to be back.’

Feeling it would look unfriendly if she was the only one to remain in her seat, Jasmine got to her feet. Max turned to her, an uncertain look in his eye.

She reached up and wrapped her arms around him just as Stella and Lark had done, inhaling the clean fragrance of his cologne. ‘It’s good to see you, Max. I’ve been trying to get in touch.’ He slid his arms around her.

‘Work’s been busy.’ It tore at her insides that his voice was so flat because of her. She hugged him tight in a most un-Jasmine-like way.

‘Not too busy for a chat later, I hope,’ she whispered.

When she eventually released him, she asked, ‘So how come you’re here?’

‘I reckon he followed the smell of the barbecue,’ Ed called over.

Max laughed, the twinkle in his eyes reappearing and gladdening Jasmine’s heart.

‘Connor was after a book, so I took him to The Happy Hartes Bookshop and got chatting to the friendly young woman at the till, who turned out to be Florrie. She mentioned the barbecue and said we – including Ernest – were invited. Talking of my wayward hound, I’d better check he hasn’t been helping himself to food on the sly.’

A quick glance around revealed him to be sitting beside Gerty, the pair of them observing the barbecue with great interest and much drooling.

Max chuckled. ‘Seems he’s got himself a new lady friend.’

‘Reckon he’s not the only one,’ said Stella, sotto voce.

Jasmine shot her a look for her trouble.

They’d waited as long as they could for Maggie and Bear to arrive before serving the food, but a further text from Bear told them that baby Lucy was still fast asleep and now Maggie had crashed out such that he couldn’t wake her. He’d given them the go-ahead to start without them. Soon, everyone was tucking into plump sausages and burgers and piling their plates with salad and couscous, all the while quizzing Max about what he’d been up to since he’d left Micklewick Bay. He, in turn, caught up with what the others had been doing, listening with interest.

Zak, Connor and Chloe sat away from the grown-ups, sneaking bits of sausage to the dogs and giggling mischievously.

‘It’s so cool you’re all still such good friends,’ Max said.

‘Aye we’ve been together through thick and thin,’ said Jasmine.

‘We certainly have,’ agreed Lark.

‘Tell you what, I don’t know about Ernest, but Gerty’s looking like she could do with a bit of a leg stretch. With it being so hot earlier, she didn’t get a chance for one. It’s cooled down a fair bit now. I don’t suppose you’d mind taking her for a quick run on the beach, would you, Jazz?’ Florrie announced out of the blue. ‘Just while I get some of this cleared away.’

A quick run on the beach? Had her friend lost her marbles?Jasmine shot Florrie a look; she couldn’t have been more transparent if she’d tried.

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