Page 35 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

TWENTY-ONE

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear with a cerulean sky washed clear of the rain and storm clouds of the previous evening.

The sun was shining brightly and the birds were singing.

Jasmine had just finished hanging a load of washing on the line in the small backyard when she heard the sound of a car pulling up outside.

Moments later, Zak burst through the door, Connor close behind. Both were wearing their Micklewick Lions football strip.

‘Mum! Mum! Are Connor and Max really coming for a barbecue with us at Grandma and Grandad’s?’ Zak asked excitedly.

‘Hi, Zak. Hi, Connor.’ Jasmine smiled at the two boys. ‘Yes, they really are.’ Jasmine smoothed her hand over her son’s head. She resisted the urge to kiss him, not wanting to make him feel self-conscious.

‘Awesome!’ said Zak.

‘Mint!’ said Connor.

‘Connor’s dad has a really cool car. He said I can drive it when I’m old enough.’

‘Oh, wow! That’s kind of him.’

‘I know!’

‘Hi, Jingilby.’

Jasmine’s attention was drawn to the doorway to see Max standing there, Zak’s backpack in his hand, aviator sunglasses pushed back onto his head.

He was looking casually stylish in a striped short-sleeved shirt and chinos, a pair of leather trainers on his feet.

The smile he gave made her heart give an unexpected flutter.

‘Hi, Max.’ She smiled back at him.

‘Are the plans for today still on?’ he asked. Jasmine was sure she detected a hopeful gleam in his eye.

‘Very much so. I’ve been reliably informed by my mum that it’s full steam ahead for the barbecue.’

‘Great.’

‘I still haven’t told them about you and Connor, though, I want to keep it as a surprise for them.’

‘I hardly slept a wink for thinking about today,’ he said. ‘It has something of a monumental feel to it, almost like returning to your roots, if that doesn’t sound too melodramatic.’

‘It doesn’t at all, I can totally get where you’re coming from.’ She held back from adding that the last few weeks before he’d left so suddenly had been a heck of a build-up for a young child. She’d leave it to Max to bring that up when he was ready.

‘No Ernest?’ she asked.

‘He’s still in the car. I thought I’d better double-check he was still welcome to go to your parents’. Ernest and barbecues are a deadly combination.’

‘It’ll be the Labrador in him. And, honestly, he’ll definitely be welcome at my parents’. He’s got bags of personality, they’ll love him.’

‘Let’s hope he treats them to his full charm offensive then.’

It hadn’t crossed her mind to invite Sabrina.

She felt a twinge of guilt at that. Though, in fairness, as far as she was concerned, Sabrina was Max’s PA and hadn’t been introduced as anything more, so no one would expect the invitation to be extended to her.

It hadn’t been intended as a snub. And Jasmine had a feeling Sabrina wouldn’t enjoy such a get-together anyway, especially if it was filled with chats about shared memories of which she had no involvement or knowledge.

She’d brace herself for an extra frosty reaction the next time their paths crossed.

The smoky tang of a barbecue filled the air as they all headed down the path of number eight Arkleby Terrace.

The two boys headed in first, dashing through to the back garden, leaving Jasmine – whose hands were full with a large homemade strawberry cheesecake covered in foil – and Max with Ernest on a tight lead.

Jasmine noted Max give his old home nothing more than a cursory glance.

She understood why, it being a place of unhappy memories for him, unlike her parents’ house.

‘Are you sure your mum and dad won’t mind having two unexpected mouths to feed, not to mention me turning up with a rather lively hound?’ Max asked, looking uncertain as they stepped into the kitchen.

‘I’m positive. Stop fretting, they’ll be overjoyed to see you.’ Jasmine slid the cheesecake into the fridge so it wouldn’t melt before they were ready to tuck into it.

Just then, Chloe skipped into the hallway, her strawberry-blonde hair in a long plait down her back, her face shiny with sunblock. ‘Hi, Mummy.’ She wrapped her arms around Jasmine’s middle, peeking shyly at Max before switching her gaze to Ernest whose tail was wagging hard.

‘Hello, sweetheart, did you have fun last night?’ Jasmine kissed the top of her daughter’s head, which felt warm from her playing in the sun.

‘Yes, thank you. The film was really good, but Grandad fell asleep and started snoring. It was so loud it made people laugh.’ She covered her mouth with her hand and giggled.

‘Not again! What’s your grandad like, Chlo?’

‘I know.’ Chloe stole another look at Max.

‘Hi there, Chloe.’ Max smiled and raised his hand in a small wave. Ernest whimpered, eager to make friends.

‘Hello.’ She leant into her mum and whispered, ‘Who’s that?’

‘This is Connor’s dad. He’s a friend of mine from way back when I was your age and even younger.’

‘Oh, okay. And now Connor’s a friend of Zak’s.’

‘That’s right.’ Jasmine loved how accepting young children could be.

‘I like your dog,’ said Chloe. ‘What’s he called?’

‘He’s called Ernest, and I think he likes you, too, he’s keen to say hello.’ Max let Ernest’s lead out a little so he could reach Chloe. ‘He’s a big fan of tummy tickles and ear ruffles. Oh, and watch him with your ice creams. I’m afraid he’s been known to steal them given half a chance.’

Chloe giggled at that. ‘Hi, Ernest.’ She let him sniff her hand before giving his ears a quick scratch. Jasmine looked on, smiling.

‘Come on, let’s go through and see Grandma and Grandad.’ Jasmine guided Chloe through to the kitchen, Max and Ernest following. Turning to Max, she said, ‘I can’t wait to see their faces.’

The back garden was bathed in sunshine, with the flowerbeds a riot of colour, and the small lawn area neatly trimmed.

A football net sat at the furthest end. The picnic table had already been set, and cheery music played from the speakers next to the barbecue where Jasmine’s dad was poised ready to take charge in his role as head chef.

Her mum had a plate piled with raw burgers and sausages in her hand as she chatted to Zak and Connor.

‘Hi there, folks,’ Jasmine said, in a bid to get her parents’ attention.

‘Hello, lovey. Tell you what, I aren’t half glad that rain stopped.

I thought I was going to have to—’ Her mum turned, her face a picture of confusion as she took in the tall man standing next to her daughter, the large dog on the end of a lead.

‘Oh, hello there,’ she said, addressing the stranger, her eyes flicking back to Jasmine who could only imagine as to the questions currently racing through her mum’s mind, and she found herself having to stifle a giggle.

Her dad pulled his gaze away from setting out the barbecue utensils. ‘Ey up, who’ve we got here, then?’

‘Mummy’s got a new friend,’ announced Chloe.

‘Has she now?’ said Heather.

‘And he’s got a dog called Ernest.’ Chloe treated Ernest to a scratch between his ears.

‘Mum, Dad, I’ve got a surprise for you,’ said Jasmine.

‘You do?’ Heather said, confusion clearly putting her at a loss for words. She set the plate down on the food preparation table next to Steve.

Jasmine couldn’t help but laugh. They were completely thrown by the concept of her bringing a man to their home, but, she supposed, it had been a while.

‘You remember little Max Grainger, don’t you?’ she said.

Heather glanced from Jasmine to Max, then to her husband, before settling on Jasmine again. ‘Aye, course I do. Why?’

Jasmine stood aside. ‘Max is here, Mum. This is Max. He’s moved back to Micklewick Bay. He’s Connor’s dad.’

‘Hi, Auntie Heather, Uncle Steve.’ Max gave an apprehensive smile. ‘It’s good to see you. I hope you don’t mind us gate-crashing your barbecue.’

The uncertainty in his voice tugged at Jasmine’s heartstrings. She watched as her parents’ expressions morphed from utter shock to unbridled delight as this new set of circumstances sank in.

‘Well, I never,’ said Steve, dropping his barbecue tongs.

‘Max? Little Max Grainger? Oh, my goodness! I can’t believe it!’ Heather clapped her hands to her face. ‘Oh, lovey, come here.’

She hurried over to Max, sweeping him into her embrace, kissing his cheek, just as she’d done when he was a small boy, tears trickling down her face.

‘What a wonderful surprise! It’s so fantastic to see you, my love.

’ Keen to be part of the welcome, Ernest nudged at her legs, his tail swishing from side to side.

The three children looked on, giggling before turning their attention to the small paddling pool Steve had filled earlier for them to have a splash about if they got too hot.

Max dropped Ernest’s lead and returned Heather’s hugs with equal warmth, bending to wrap his arms around her.

‘It’s so good to see you, Auntie Heather.

I’ve been wanting to come and see you for a long time.

’ His voice cracked. ‘I wanted to thank you and Uncle Steve for always being so kind to me.’ Ernest trotted over to the children, jumping straight into the paddling pool and making them hoot with laughter.

‘Get away with you, there’s no need to thank us, but it isn’t half grand to see you, sweetheart.

Now, let me look at you.’ She took a step back, taking his hands in hers as she surveyed him.

‘My goodness, it’s hard to believe you’ve grown so tall, you were always such a little scrap of a lad.

And I’d recognise those twinkly eyes anywhere.

Steve, see what a fine-looking young man our little Max has grown into. ’

‘Max, welcome back.’ From the way her dad was beaming, anyone would be forgiven for thinking he’d won the lottery. ‘By ’eck, it isn’t half good to see you, lad. You’ve made our bloomin’ day.’ Steve hugged him close, patting him soundly on the back, his eyes dancing with happiness.

Jasmine looked on. It was a scene she never thought she’d ever witness: Max Grainger returning to her parents’ home, all grown up with no trace of the skinny little boy he used to be.

Both she and her parents had assumed they’d never see Max again, that he’d be swallowed up by a new life, with new friends over in Harrogate, and forget all about them.

Their greatest wish for him was that he would be happy and feel settled with his grandfather.

It felt good to know that had evidently been the case.

‘It’ll be just like old days,’ said Heather, through happy tears. ‘You always used to love it when your Uncle Steve got the barbecue going.’

‘I remember.’ Max smiled fondly at her, his eyes damp. ‘All of my happy memories as a child are of being here, with all of you, and hanging around with Jingilby.’

‘Oh, aye, I remember that nickname you had for our Jasmine.’ Steve chuckled. ‘She used to go mad if anyone else ever dared use it. “Only Max is allowed to call me that,” she’d say.’

‘Really?’ Max said. ‘I had no idea.’ He looked over at Jasmine.

‘Oh, aye, your Uncle Steve’s right. The pair of you were very close. We always used to say there was a special bond between you.’ Heather reached for the nearby kitchen roll, pulled off a square and dabbed at her eyes.

Thanks for that, Mum and Dad! Jasmine hoped Max wouldn’t notice her blushes, but judging by the way he was scrutinising her, she suspected the chance of that was slim. She was relieved when her mum spoke.

‘Right, we have a load of catching up to do, so I suggest you get yourself comfy, lovey. Our Jasmine can fetch you a drink and then you can tell us all about what you’ve been doing right from when you left here that day, sobbing your little heart out, up to the day you moved back to Micklewick Bay. ’

‘Aye, I reckon the food can wait a bit longer, while we give Max our full attention. I’ll pacify the kids with an ice pop each,’ said Steve, before heading in the direction of the kitchen.

Sitting in the shade, a glass of shandy in his hand, Max’s chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath.

Jasmine and her parents looked on. She felt a thrum of anxiety reverberating around her, preparing herself for what she was about to hear.

She’d always hoped Max’s new life had been a happy one, that the hard times he’d been through had been left behind in Micklewick Bay.

She really hoped she wasn’t going to hear something to the contrary.