Page 9 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘So what’s the thing that’s bothering you?’

‘Lady Caro’s asked if I can pop over there for a visit to discuss things further. She suggested Tuesday morning, but the only trouble is I’ve got a cleaning shift for then – it’s Hilda, who I can’t let down. And the rest of the week’s manic, and Lady Caro says she’s busy anyway. I haven’t got a clue how I could possibly squeeze anything else in, never mind driving over to Danskelfe Castle. I don’t have a minute to spare, not to mention the half day the meeting will probably take.’ What Jasmine didn’t say was that another concern had started to nibble away at the edges of her mind. Lady Caro had sounded so keen to get cracking with the wedding planning service, Jasmine’s worries that she’d offer the cake contract to someone else had been growing. It didn’t help that there was a cake decorator near Middleton-le-Moors whose creations Jasmine couldn’t help but admire.

‘I really hate to ask, Mum, especially with all you do for me already, but?—’

Heather didn’t miss a beat. ‘Simple solution, flower: I’ll cover your shift for you. I’ve known Hilda all my life, we get along like a house on fire. And it’s not as if it’d be the first time I’ve cleaned for her. I know I’ll be a poor second, but we both know she’ll understand, especially where your cakes are concerned – she’s always singing their praises.’

‘Are you sure, Mum? I know you’re already really busy as it is.’ Guilt crawled over her. Heather also worked for Alice as well as caring for an elderly neighbour.

‘Of course I’m sure. I’m not doing anything else on Tuesday morning, and even if I was, I’m never so busy that I can’t help out my super-talented daughter when an amazing business opportunity comes her way.’

‘Not sure about the super-talented bit.’

‘Well, I am. Lady Caro hasn’t contacted you for no reason. This could be too good an opportunity to pass up, Jasmine lovey. You never know, it could even mean you have the chance to give up your other jobs and focus on your cake decorating business full time. You’ve said numerous times that would be the dream.’ Heather dipped her head, looking directly into her daughter’s eyes. ‘It’s none of my business, but if you want my advice, you should grasp the opportunity with both hands, or at the very least hear what Lady Caro has to say.’

‘But—’

‘No buts, it’s sorted. I’ll cover your shift – you’ve helped me out in the past. Alice won’t mind as long as someone’s doing it, and Hilda will be just fine. I’ll fill her in on all the local gossip.’

Jasmine took a moment to mull over her mother’s offer. Her words about the possibility of being able to treat her cake decorating business as a full-time job filled her mind and made her pulse gallop. It really would be a dream come true. And if her mum’s prediction proved right, the meeting with Lady Caro could potentially result in an increase in her earnings in the long term. Jasmine gnawed on her bottom lip. Much as she could do with the money she’d earn from Tuesday’s shift, Jasmine told herself she should look on the meeting as an investment.

But then there was the fact that she was relying on her mum to help her out again. Her parents were always stepping in to look after the kids, whether it be picking them up from school or ferrying them to their various after school and weekend activities when Jasmine was working or pushed for time with a celebration cake to get finished. She didn’t know how she’d manage without them. The thought that they’d start to think she was taking advantage always lurked at the back of her mind, not that they’d ever given her the slightest hint that was the case, but all the same, it didn’t stop her from fretting about it. Andit didn’t help her guilt that her older brother, Jonathan, and his wife, Flic, had never asked them to look after their two boys.

‘And if you’re worried about losing the earnings from the shift, then you can keep them.’ Heather’s voice snapped her out of her musings.

‘Definitely not! It’s bad enough that you’re covering it for me without giving me your wages, Mum. I’m not a charity case,’ Jasmine said vehemently, her cheeks flushing pink. Much as she appreciated her mum’s gesture came from a good place, it didn’t stop her feeling a spike of annoyance. Her pride would never let her accept any financial help from her parents, not that it stopped them from offering on a regular basis. It made her resentful of her position at times.

‘Since when has accepting help from your own mother been charity?’ Heather asked softly.

‘It’s enough that you’d be getting me out of a tricky situation and covering my shift. If you’re sure, I’ll take you up on your offer, but I’m not taking money from you.’ Jasmine shot her mum a look that told her she wasn’t open to any further negotiation on the matter.

‘You’ve always had a stubborn streak.’ Heather rolled her eyes and shook her head affectionately.

‘Can’t think where I get it from,’ Jasmine said jokingly, her irritation all but forgotten.

‘Hmm. I reckon it must be your dad.’ A smile tugged at the corners of Heather’s mouth.

‘You reckon?’ Jasmine giggled. Stubborn was the last thing her easy-going dad could be described as. ‘Anyroad, thanks, Mum, I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you. I’ll call Alice, let her know, and Hilda, too.’ Relief that that particular problem was sorted washed over her, its strength taking her by surprise.

‘Hey, I’m just chuffed I can help, especially when an opportunity that’s too good to miss is concerned.’ Heather smiled fondly at her. ‘Particularly if that opportunity could make life easier for you. Don’t think your dad and me haven’t noticed how tired you’ve been looking recently, petal. You need to cut yourself a bit of slack before you run yourself into the ground.’

‘I’m fine, Mum, honest. At lot of things seem to have come at once, that’s all.’ Jasmine didn’t want her parents to start worrying about her. They’d done enough of that after Bart died. Then, their concerned expressions had just about torn her heart in two. Though, if she was being completely honest with herself, she’d noticed the usual feeling of tiredness that hit her by the end of the day had felt more like exhaustion recently, and it had been getting harder to drag herself out of bed when the alarm went off in the morning. ‘And don’t forget I was out with the lasses last night, which as you know, getting together with them is the perfect switch-off for me.’ Jasmine beamed at her mum, hoping to convince her.

‘Aye, and I’m glad to hear it. And while we’re on the subject, your dad and me were saying just the other day we hope your Friday nights out is something your work commitments don’t sneak into. You need a break and a bit of wind-down time with your friends. It’s important, especially now you seem to be working all hours.’

‘The only thing that bothers me?—’

‘And before you say it, your dad and me love having the kids and they love staying with us.’

‘Thanks, Mum.’ Jasmine smiled, her heart filling with love for her parents. It was true, Zak and Chloe loved spending time with their grandparents, heading out to the countryside for walks, or down to the beach crabbing and paddling, or even just spending time at their home, helping her mum bake, or her dad with odd jobs around the house and in the garden. Bothgrandparents and grandchildren seemed to thrive on the time they spent together which warmed Jasmine’s heart – and went some considerable way to assuaging her guilt.

The relationship couldn’t be more different to the one Zak and Chloe had with Bart’s parents. After their son’s death, Alice and Gary Forster had shunned Jasmine and Zak – Jasmine had been pregnant with Chloe at the time – saying they wanted nothing to do with any of them, that seeing them only served to remind them of the wonderful son they’d lost. Jasmine had struggled to get her head around such logic. The passage of time hadn’t made it any easier, nor helped to explain their lack of contact with her children.

But, right now, she had more pressing matters on her mind, not least the worry that her daughter was potentially being bullied at school. The thought made Jasmine’s blood run cold. Her children took priority over everything else and she was determined to get to the bottom of whatever it was that was bothering Chloe.

It was a couple of hours later, when she was preparing a quick picnic for her and the kids to have down on the beach, that a text from her mum landed. Jasmine reached for her phone and quickly scanned the message.

Her heart froze. ‘No!’ she gasped, pressing her hand to her mouth.

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