Page 24 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘Yeah, I do, lovey. And much as I don’t like to think badly of them, especially when they’re Zak and Chloe’s flesh and blood, I honestly think you really are all better off without them, especially that Gary Forster, he’s a right nasty piece of work,’ Lark said vehemently.

‘I mean, that ring they mention in the letter was the one Bart gave you as an engagement ring, wasn’t it? ’

‘Aye, it was.’ Jasmine sighed. It was unusual to hear Lark make negative comments about anyone. She tried another sip of her tea and fought against pulling a face.

‘So even if you still had it, it should legally be yours.’

Their eyes met; they were clearly both thinking the same thing. ‘Provided he hadn’t taken it without them knowing,’ Jasmine said. ‘And I can’t imagine them ever admitting he’d done anything wrong, never mind accepting it. You know what they were like about him.’

‘Don’t we just! He really was their golden boy and they were totally blind to his failings.’

‘Which was why they blamed me for everything that went wrong for him.’

‘Hmm.’

A heavy sigh escaped Jasmine’s mouth. ‘I haven’t got the energy to fight them, Lark.

’ She looked at her friend through weary eyes.

She didn’t have the energy to do anything, least of all get excited about her Danskelfe Castle news.

She just wanted to hide under her duvet and escape all her problems, hoping they’d go away.

‘They’re never going to believe I haven’t got their stuff.

And even if I had, I’d have given it to them years ago to get them off my back if nothing else. ’

‘I know you would, flower.’

‘What am I going to do?’ Jasmine’s bottom lip wobbled.

Lark sat upright in her chair. ‘I’ll tell you exactly what we’re going to do.

After you’ve drunk your tea’ – she flashed Jasmine a wide smile – ‘I’ll make us a bite to eat – no arguments, you haven’t been eating properly recently which will’ve been contributing to you feeling rubbish – then I’ll contact Stells, tell her about the letter, get her legal take on it. How does that sound?’

‘Sounds good.’ Jasmine mustered up a watery smile. ‘Thanks for being such a good friend, Lark. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t found me.’

‘You were guided to me, flower; I was meant to be in Old Micklewick this afternoon, meant to find you, and meant to get some camomile tea down you.’

‘Compost heap juice, you mean.’

‘Mmm. I beg to differ!’

They grinned at one another before Lark wrapped her arms around Jasmine and squeezed her tight, her bracelets jingling away.

‘It’s going to be all right, Jazz. I promise.

Please trust me on this. You might not think so right now, but the rest of the year is going to be awesome for you.

’ She released Jasmine from her embrace and took a step back, her hands resting on her friend’s shoulders.

‘And when have I ever been wrong about these things?’

‘Can’t remember you ever being wrong, Lark.’ It was true – whenever Lark had one of her feelings or premonitions about something, she was invariably right. Though Stella and Jasmine gently teased her about it from time to time, the group of friends had learnt to trust her otherworldly instincts.

An hour later, Jasmine was feeling much better.

Lark had helped shape her worries into a manageable size which had been a huge weight off her shoulders.

On top of that, Stella had called back from a room tucked away in the court building at York, full of fury about the Forsters.

Lark had switched it to FaceTime, and the pair had peered at their friend dressed in her courtroom gear of black robes and white horsehair wig covering her blonde hair which was tied back into a ponytail. She made for an intimidating sight.

‘S’cuse the get-up but I’ve just come straight from a trial. I spotted your message and wanted to call straight away. So, what’s been going on?’

Jasmine had brought her up to speed with the details.

‘Despicable bullies! They’re just trying to intimidate you by going through a lawyer, but don’t let them,’ she’d said, her bold, no-nonsense tone filling the small living room.

‘If you like, I can call round tonight after the kids have gone to bed, help you draft a letter. The Forsters want putting very firmly in their place and to finally accept that their son wasn’t the little angel they hold him out to be.

I’m sorry he passed away, I can’t imagine what it must have been like for them to lose a child, but they need to stop clinging on to this sort of negativity.

It does no one any good. And, deep down, I’m sure they know you haven’t got those things. ’

‘I agree,’ Lark had said. ‘It’s as if by stirring up trouble, it somehow keeps his memory alive.

They don’t seem to realise that by acting the way they do, they’re not just hurting other people, they’re hurting themselves, too.

I’d feel sorry for them if it wasn’t for the fact they’re always so unkind to our Jazz. ’

‘It’s the way they are, Lark; they seem to feed off each other’s nastiness.

Anyway, Jazz, there’s always the option of using a solicitor to send a letter on your behalf, of course,’ Stella had added.

‘Thinking about it, receiving a reply with a solicitor’s letterhead might have a better effect than one directly from you – no offence.

Might give them the shake-up they need, make them stop hounding you. ’

‘None taken, Stells, I appreciate your advice.’ Jasmine had reached the point where she was prepared to do whatever it took. ‘They can come and search the house, I’ve got nothing to hide, and they won’t find any of that stuff hidden away. In fact, I wish they would, then they might leave?—’

‘Stop right there, Jazz.’ Stella’s authoritative voice had spliced through her words.

‘Do not, under any circumstances, suggest that to them or their lawyer. Knowing the Forsters, they’d be round before you could catch your breath, rummaging through your stuff, helping themselves to whatever they wanted. ’

Stella’s stern tone had sent a spike of alarm through Jasmine. ‘You don’t have to worry about that, Stells. It was just said tongue-in-cheek. I wouldn’t let them over the doorstep.’

‘Good. And don’t forget there’s the option of making an appointment with old Maurice Cuthbert at Cuthbert, Asquith we’ve all been there for each other, always will be. Anyroad, how about another calming cup of camomile tea?’

‘Lovely as the offer is, I’m fine for stewed compost right now, thanks.’ Jasmine had pulled a face.

‘Rude!’ Lark had said, chuckling.

‘Looking at the time, I reckon I’d best head back home. I’ve eaten such a big chunk into your afternoon, I daresay you’ve got a load of stuff to catch up on, and I’ve got a birthday cake to bake and a conked-out car to track down.’

‘You haven’t eaten a chunk into my afternoon at all, but I think I’ll head back into town with you. Nate said he’d drop by later to discuss our next sourcing trip.’

‘“ Sourcing trip ”, eh?’ Jasmine had put finger quotes around the words, nudging Lark with her shoulder. ‘Is that what you’re calling it these days?’

Lark had rolled her eyes good-naturedly as she’d swiftly changed the subject.

‘These are for you, they’re good for tackling stress.

’ She’d handed Jasmine a small silk purse containing two crystals.

‘One’s rose quartz to help with your stress levels, the other’s onyx which is for protection.

I’ve programmed them for you, all you need to do is keep them close and give them a rinse under the tap every now and then.

And this is a rollerball containing lavender and scented geranium essential oils.

Whenever you feel your stress levels rising, just roll it over your temples and your wrists, it’ll help bring them down.

And this room spray contains the same mix, it can be used as a pillow mist, too; should help you sleep better. ’

‘Oh, thank you, that’s so kind, flower.’ Jasmine never ceased to be amazed by Lark’s thoughtful nature. ‘I actually feel so much calmer for spending time here. Whatever it is you do, it’s working. Don’t suppose you fancy a lodger?’ She grinned at her friend, savouring the lighter feeling.

With the sun beating down on them, and the aroma of seaweed hanging in the air, the two friends made their way along the bottom prom to the one hundred and ninety-nine steps that gave access to the top prom and town.

They chatted away about the lack of affordable rental property in Micklewick Bay, the sound of the waves idly lapping against the shore in the background.

They were deep in conversation when a Land Rover pulled up beside them and Bear leant out of the window.

‘Now then, lasses. Need a lift?’ Maggie’s husband was built like a brick proverbial, his bushy beard and wild shock of chin-length wavy hair lending him a Viking-like appearance.

However, his striking looks belied the fact that he was a gentle giant, even more so since he’d become a dad.

‘Thanks, Bear, that’d be great.’ Jasmine leapt at the chance.

‘Thanks, Bear.’ Lark beamed at him.

The two women climbed into the rear of the vehicle, settling themselves down onto the benches.

‘So how come you’re down here? I thought vehicles weren’t allowed this far along the bottom prom,’ asked Jasmine.

‘I’ve just been having a look at the roof of one of the beach huts. The new owner said it had been leaking; wants me to fix it for her.’

‘Fair enough.’

As Bear indicated to pull out, Jasmine could feel the weight of Lark’s gaze opposite. She gave her a quizzical look. ‘What’s up?’

A mysterious smile twitched at the corners of her friend’s mouth. ‘I can’t shake the feeling that Max Grainger is going to feature heavily in your life again.’

Jasmine gave an easy-going roll of her eyes, hoping Bear hadn’t heard – he’d no doubt report back to Maggie who’d give her a right grilling about it.

‘Don’t get yourself carried away, flower.

You just concentrate on you and Nate.’ She flashed Lark a wide smile which was enough to stop her friend from pursuing her “feeling”.