Page 9 of The Wedding Cake Wish
‘Really? Because of her parents?’
‘Well, partly. I mean, my grandparents were basically good peoplebut they moved in rather posh circles where appearance was everything. And theirdaughter just didn’t tow the party line.’
I laugh. ‘Marjery, a rebel. Ooh, do you know, I can actuallybelieve that.’
‘Can you? But she’s so strait-laced now.’
I grin. ‘Ah, but it’s the quiet ones, you know. So what didshe do? As a rebel?’
‘Oh, she got in with a bad crowd. Instead of socialisingwith the progeny of her parents’ posh friends, Mum preferred to decide forherself who she’d be friends with. And they tended to be kids whohadn’tgrown up with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths. So eventually, sheblotted her copybook in a big way and was immediately packed off to boardingschool.’
‘Gosh. What did she do?’
‘I’m not sure it was anything specific. Just generallymixing with the wrong folk, which ticked my grandparents off big time,apparently.’
‘Boarding school, though.’ I shudder. ‘I’m surprised you andRichard didn’t follow in the family tradition.’
Fen laughs. ‘Thankfully not. Mainly because Mum absolutelyhated her time there. She won’t even talk about it. I think she prefers to justleave it in the past. But anyway, as a result she swore she would never send achild of hers off to boarding school.’
‘Don’t blame her. Well I never. Marjery a rebel. Good forher.’
‘She’s not rebellious in the least now. Everything has to bejust so, down to the last detail.’ She looks at me anxiously. ‘So you’ll makeour wedding cake? One of your chocolate fudge cake specials?’
I smile. ‘It would be an honour, Fen.’
*****
When Hudson and I arrive at the Baker Street Café – ourregular place to discuss ‘the case’ – the café owner, Gordon, greets us at thedoor with his camera and a big smile.
I laugh. ‘What’s going on, Gordon?’ We know him quite wellby now, after so many visits.
‘Do you mind if I take your photo?’ he asks. ‘I’m organisingan advertising feature in the local paper and I want pictures of lots of mycustomershaving fun. Are you having fun yet?’
Hudson grins. ‘I think we might be about to if you’ve gotthose famous double chocolate muffins on today.’
‘Of course we have. Come on, then. The two of you together?Go on, Ruby, give him a kiss.’
I’m about to protest that we’re not actually together, butbefore I can say a word, Hudson slips his arm around my waist. I turn in shockand the kiss he likely planned to plant on my cheek crash-lands on my lipsinstead.
We glance at each other and I giggle awkwardly, tingles ofembarrassment and other feelings zinging along my veins. Hudson, lookingslightly taken aback, clears his throat and smiles at Gordon.
And a thought zips through my mind.
If only we could do that kiss again. But properly thistime...
Then I realise the café is crowded and people are staring atus. They’ve obviously been observing the little drama at the door withinterest. Presumably Gordon has already been around the tables, takingphotographs for the advert.
We look around for seats, and amid the hum of chatter, agirl’s voice – clear as a bell – reaches me.
‘...punching above her weight!’
Dazed, I glance over, just as a pretty blonde-haired girlwith a pixie cut bursts out laughing. Catching my eye and realising I’d justheard what she said about me, she grimaces, looks mildly embarrassed, and halfhides her face in her hands.
Hudson, who I’m hoping didn’t hear the catty comment, isalready squeezing between tables to grab two stools at the counter in thewindow, with a view over the high street.
With as much dignity as I can muster, I join him, deliberatelyignoring the blonde-haired girl and her friend as we pass by their table. Theheat in my face could keep the coffee in this place hot for a good few hours, Ireckon.
I know thatHudson, with his dark good looks, is outof my league. I knew that even before it was pointed out to me just now – acareless comment that will probably haunt me for weeks! I like my shoulder-lengthdark hair, especially when it’s blow-dried and shiny like it is now, and peoplesometimes comment on my hazel eyes. But apart from that, I’m quite ordinary,really.
