Page 19 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

Jasmine smiled back. Florrie had been so taken with their Christmas visit there she’d been keen to get the friends together for another visit.

‘I know it might sound daft – and I really don’t want to tempt fate, which I know doesn’t sound like the sort of thing cynical old me would say – but I’ve got a good feeling in my bones about this meeting,’ said Jasmine.

Florrie slowed the car to allow a couple of the free-roaming sheep and their lambs the North Yorkshire Moors were known for to amble their way across the road.

‘It doesn’t sound daft at all, it’s exactly what Lark was saying yesterday morning when she popped into the bookshop.

And we all know Lark’s usually right about these things.

Anyroad, it’s not just you and Lark; we all think it, too. ’

Hearing that sent a buzz of excitement reverberating through Jasmine. ‘It would be so amazing to get the contract. I honestly think it would make a massive difference to the kids and me.’

‘No more rushing round like a headless chicken,’ said Florrie.

‘You’ve no idea how good that would be.’

She’d lain awake until the early hours the previous night, her mind running over just how much Lady Caro’s offer could change things for her and the children – when her worries about the Scragg family, or Max’s reappearance weren’t occupying it.

It had the potential to free up some time and allow her to focus on what she loved doing as a way of earning enough money to provide for the kids and pay the bills, which was a concept she hadn’t dreamt possible for herself.

The more she thought about the offer, the more she’d found herself desperately wanting it.

Jasmine knew it was why she felt so apprehensive today.

It had been a long time since she’d let herself get excited about anything and, she had to admit, there was something quite pleasant about the occasional bursts of anticipation that pushed through her whenever it popped into her thoughts.

She checked her folder again, making sure it was all in order.

After everything that had been happening with Zak and Chloe, she’d found herself distracted and had kept having to reassure herself that the photos she’d brought were her best ones and not some random images she’d quickly scrabbled together.

She could easily show Lady Caro the photos she had on her phone, but Jasmine had felt the need to take something physical.

She’d considered asking Lady Caro for her personal email so she could send a selection of her best photos beforehand, but Jasmine hadn’t wanted to appear pushy.

Plus, she’d be the first to admit she was a technophobe and didn’t have the first clue about putting the images into files or folders, or whatever you called them, rather than bombarding Lady Caro with a multitude of individual attachments – she was only just getting the hang of Instagram!

Jasmine knew Florrie would have happily helped her, but with time being tight it meant she’d had to settle for the photos she’d printed out and occasionally used to show customers.

She’d made time to draft some costings of a selection of her cakes to show Lady Caro which had taken longer than she’d expected.

Her eyes skimmed over the figures. Putting them together had made her realise with what she charged per cake, her profit margins were quite small, and that was without taking into account the amount of work she put into them.

But she’d been keen to be competitive and keep her prices low in order to attract custom.

After all, some of the celebration cakes available at the supermarkets were quite professional-looking these days.

Jasmine told herself it would be just as easy to pop one in a trolley while doing the weekly food shop, so she had to do something to make hers stand out and be more appealing.

She huffed out a sigh.

‘Is everything all right, Jazz?’ Florrie pulled her eyes away from the road, snatching a look at her.

‘You’re not worried about the meeting, are you?

I have no doubt it’ll go well. Don’t forget, it was Lady Caro who called you, not the other way round.

’ To the outside world, Jasmine gave off an air of confidence, but her oldest friends knew that beneath her tough veneer of self-assuredness, she was prone to worrying, doubting herself and her decisions.

Particularly so since Bart had died. That, together with the events that took place on the run-up to his death, had shot her confidence to pieces.

‘It’s not that… well, maybe it is a little bit. I can’t tell you how badly I want her to like my ideas and the photos of my cakes.’

‘She’ll love them, Jazz, like everyone does.’

‘I hope so.’ She paused for a moment. ‘But that’s not the only thing that’s bothering me.’

‘I thought there was something else. Do you want to talk about it?’

Jasmine heaved another sigh. ‘There’s been a bit of a situation with the kids and I’ve had to have a meeting at school with the teachers; the head was there, too.’

‘Goodness, sounds serious. Are Zak and Chloe okay?’

‘They’re fine – at least, I hope they will be.’ Thoughts of Jason Scragg and his son made her stomach twist. ‘You remember Jason Scragg – aka Scraggo – don’t you?’ she said.

‘Now that name’s a blast from the past. Not sure any of us could ever forget him. Why?’ Florrie said, her voice loaded with dread.

‘Well, it would seem he’s back in Micklewick Bay and he’s got a couple of kids in tow who, unfortunately, are the same age as my two, and let’s just say they’ve been making their presence felt.’

‘No way!’

‘’Fraid so. I had a brief chat with Stella about it last night – she saw me just after I’d been to school.

I was going to tell you, but didn’t want to mention anything until after the meeting with Lady Caro in case it affected my mood and she picked up on it.

I don’t want to risk her thinking I’m not interested or underwhelmed by her offer.

Seems I can’t keep it to myself though.’

‘Knowing you as I do, Jazz, I reckon you’re better off talking about it – bottling it up has never worked well as far as you’re concerned.’

Jasmine knew Florrie was referring to her relationship with Bart and the problems that had troubled it throughout.

They’d grown increasingly worse until their partnership could only be described as dysfunctional.

Jasmine hadn’t wanted to burden her friends by talking about it, or be disloyal to Bart, but it had taken its toll, with her becoming withdrawn and moody.

She’d even begun to distance herself from her friends, fearful that they’d drag the truth out of her.

It was something she’d sworn never to repeat, and the reason she’d remained single since Bart’s death.

‘Yeah, you’re right.’ Jasmine went on to give a brief rundown of what had gone on with the Scragg children, her friend listening quietly beside her.

When she was done, she blew out a noisy breath, feeling unexpectedly relieved to have shared it.

‘Well, it sounds like you can take comfort from the fact that the school are onto it and it won’t get out of hand like it did in our day. I’ve heard good things about Mrs Armistead, she’s a way better headteacher than Old Troutface ever was. I’m sure Zak and Chloe’ll be okay.’

‘Yeah, I did come away from the meeting having confidence in her and their teachers.’

‘Good.’

‘I still can’t believe Scraggo’s back in the town, though.’

Florrie stole a look at her, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. ‘I reckon he’ll be hoping you don’t see red if you know what I mean?’

‘See red?’ Jasmine’s brow crumpled. ‘Oh, you’re referring to that .’ She caught Florrie’s eye and they both spluttered with laughter at the memory of her covering Scraggo’s coat with red poster paint.

‘I’ll see more than bloomin’ red if his kids bother Zak and Chloe anymore.’

‘That, Jazz, I don’t doubt for a minute,’ said Florrie. A beat passed. ‘I wonder whatever happened to little Max Grainger? Scraggo used to make his life a misery.’

‘It’s funny you should say that.’ Jasmine had been waiting for a convenient point in their conversation to introduce the subject of Max.

‘Oh?’ Florrie briefly took her eyes off the road and stole a look at Jasmine. ‘Do I sense you have news?’

‘You do. I actually saw him last night. It was only brief, but I get the feeling he’s done well for himself. His clothes looked quite stylish – not that I know much about stuff like that – but he looked “well-groomed”, I think is the expression.’

‘Ooh, tell all.’

‘Let’s just say, he got a classic reminder of me at my most elegant best.’ She flashed Florrie a wide smile as she shared the details of how they’d run into one another, Florrie spluttering with laughter as Jasmine described her ungainly tumble over Ernest.

‘I wonder if he’s here for good, or just a quick visit?’ said Florrie, slowing down at a set of temporary traffic lights where roadworks were taking place.

‘Didn’t get the chance to ask. I daresay we’ll find out if he drops in on my parents.’

‘It’d be nice to have a catch-up with him. I remember him as a sweet lad, always so upbeat despite his circumstances.’

‘He was.’ Jasmine’s thoughts drifted to the times they’d played together, his worse-for-wear clothes and wild curls. ‘I hope he’s had a happy life, heaven knows he deserves it.’

‘I wonder if he’ll run into Scraggo?’ said Florrie. The traffic lights switched to green and she pressed down on the accelerator.

‘I wonder.’ From the glimpse she’d had of Max, she’d noted an impressive set of biceps under his short-sleeved shirt. She guessed he’d be pretty good at looking after himself now. The small, skinny kid had long gone.