Page 15 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

EIGHT

Once back at Rosemary Terrace, Jasmine had sat Zak and Chloe down at the kitchen table and spoke calmly, telling them about her chat with their teachers.

Zak’s face had fallen at first, but once he’d realised his mum wasn’t angry, his regret for retaliating with Bruce Scragg had been as tangible as Chloe’s relief at getting her worries off her chest. ‘I want you both to know that you can tell me anything , even if you think you’ve done something wrong – especially if you’ve done something wrong.

It’s always best to get things out in the open rather than keeping it to yourself and worrying about it,’ Jasmine had said.

‘Worries have a horrible habit of somehow getting bigger if you do that. I’ve always told you I won’t be angry with you for being honest with me, and have I ever been cross with you for telling the truth? ’

‘No, Mum,’ Zak said, shaking his head.

‘No, Mummy,’ Chloe said. Their serious expressions made Jasmine’s heart ache with love for her children.

She reached for their hands, giving them each a squeeze.

‘And the last thing I want is for you to bottle up your worries. I’m your mum, and a mum’s job is to be there for her children.

I’m on your side, kids, I always will be, no matter what.

And, much as I don’t approve of you getting into a fight with that Scragg lad, Zak lovey, I can completely understand why you did it.

But in future, I think it’s probably best if you do all you can to ignore him, which I appreciate is easier said than done.

But the chances are, if he doesn’t get a reaction out of you, he’ll soon leave you alone.

He’s a bully and bullies need something to fuel their nasty behaviour.

And if you feel you can’t tell your teachers about what he’s been doing, you can always tell me.

I’ll make sure it’s sorted.’ She held back from saying she had a far worse story to tell of what she’d done to Bruce Scragg’s father when she was Zak’s age.

She’d save that for another day when they were older; she didn’t want to be accused of setting a bad example, or for Zak to copy what she’d done – Heaven forbid!

But she still didn’t regret what she’d done.

With that particular topic dealt with, she hugged them both close, doing all she could to quell her growing concerns at the return of the Scragg family to Micklewick Bay.

She knew the trouble with them was far from over.

In truth, she feared it had only just begun, but she couldn’t let her children sense that.

Pushing her doubts out of the way with a hefty shove, she gave a wide smile and said, ‘Right then, you two monsters, how about we head into town and grab a pizza from Pepe I just pushed my feet in my trainers,’ said Zak with a guffaw.

‘I reckon you’re right, Zak.’ Jasmine didn’t let on that she’d been deliberately slow at fastening her laces. She’d let Chloe win, thinking it would further boost her daughter’s mood and, judging by her smiles, it appeared to have done just that.

Once in the car, it took the key a couple of turns in the ignition before the vehicle coughed itself into action, reminding Jasmine she needed to book it into the garage for a long overdue check-over.

Her fears for the potential cost had meant she’d held off up to now, but this latest trouble in getting it started was becoming increasingly regular.

She knew ignoring it wasn’t going to solve the problem, and she was conscious it should feature highly on her list of priorities – especially since it was due its MOT next month, which was something she couldn’t afford for it to fail – but with so many other things to contend with, and concern as to the potential cost, it had kept slipping further down the list.

What made matters worse was that she needed her car to get around to her cleaning jobs.

Alice had a couple of Spick ‘n’ Sparkle work vans, but they were already being used by staff who didn’t have their own transport – those who used their own vehicles were given a fuel allowance by Alice.

Jasmine didn’t even want to think about the potential loss of shifts while her car was in the garage getting fixed – if, indeed, it was repairable.

That thought sent an anxious shiver running through her.

Don’t even go there! she told herself. That’s a worry for another day .

Her head was feeling as though it was ready to burst with so many thoughts that needed her attention.

There was barely any room to cram another one in there.

Along with the worries about the Scragg family, at the back of her mind guilt was blooming along with the growing concern that something about her job commitments needed to change.

Her parents were a good second to her as far as childcare was concerned, but recent events concerning the Scragg children meant Jasmine felt she needed to be more hands-on with Zak and Chloe.

She stifled a sigh, suddenly feeling the weight of being a single parent, not wanting to alert them of her internal battles.

She only hoped this meeting with Lady Caro tomorrow would provide the solution she needed.

But, right now, she was going to give her children her undivided attention.

There was going to be none of this spreading herself too thinly, or getting distracted by her commitments, or letting her worries cloud her mood this evening.

She was going to make sure they enjoyed themselves.

Something at the back of her mind told her it would do her good, too.

Once in town, she parked up on Endeavour Road and they made their way along the pavement to Pepe & Chiara’s.

Chloe slipped her hand into Jasmine’s and skipped along happily beside her while Zak raced ahead in his usual carefree way.

It was good to see both children behaving more like themselves again.

She only hoped it would last.

She found her mind wandering to Max, wondering if she’d bump into him again.

It would be good to hear his story, find out what he’d been up to since he’d left Micklewick Bay.

She hoped his adult life hadn’t been as tempestuous as his early childhood.

If anyone deserved to have a peaceful, settled life, it was Max Grainger.