Page 43 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘I don’t know what you’re making all the fuss about, looks like you’ve done all right for yourself.’ Scraggo looked Max up and down, taking in his neatly barbered hair and expensively cut clothes.

‘Oh, I have. Done more than all right, actually. But I’ve worked damned hard for it. Looking at you, I doubt very much you’d know what a day’s work feels like.’

‘Oi, just watch what you’re saying.’ Scraggo’s anger resurfaced, and he puffed his chest out once more. Max had clearly hit a nerve.

‘Trust me, I’m being very considered about what I’m saying, and let me tell you this, if you go within an inch of Jasmine, or your kids give hers any more crap, then I’ll see to it that the police are informed about your nasty little drug dealing set-up, and how you’ve been stalking and intimidating a woman.

I’ll tell them how I’ve witnessed it and make sure?—’

‘Aye, and so will I, you nasty piece of work.’ The three of them were startled to see Hilda standing outside the gate to her building.

Her outfit of a light-blue cardigan over a summer dress in a cheerful, floral print was at odds with the upturned sweeping brush she was brandishing.

‘And if you don’t clear off and leave our Jasmine alone, I’ll take this to you, you scrawny little thug!

’ She waved the brush at him. ‘And don’t be fooled, I know how to use it!

You have no idea who you’re messing with. ’

Jasmine briefly locked eyes with Max, a flash of humour fleeting across his face. She was torn between wanting to rush over and hug her elderly friend, and bursting out laughing. Scraggo saved her from having to make a decision as Hilda briskly headed towards him.

‘I don’t want owt to do with any of you.’ He jabbed a finger in their direction. ‘Just keep out of my way.’

‘ What ?’ Jasmine looked at him, incredulous. As if she’d want anything to do with him.

The three of them watched as he turned on his heel and strutted off, his ape-swagger in full swing.

Jasmine glanced between Max and Hilda. Despite the tense situation, she couldn’t help but smile at her brush-wielding friend.

‘You okay, Jingilby?’ Max rested his hand on her shoulder.

Jasmine nodded. ‘I am now he’s gone.’

‘Well, my goodness, what a start to the day that was.’ Hilda lowered her sweeping brush and peered at Jasmine through her large-framed glasses. ‘Are you sure you’re all right, lovey?’

‘I’m fine, thanks, Hilda,’ said Jasmine. ‘And I’m very grateful for you coming to my assistance, but you really should be careful of people like that.’

‘I agree, you shouldn’t approach the likes of him, you never know what could happen,’ said Max.

Hilda harrumphed. Though she only scraped five feet in height, she appeared even more petite with Max standing beside her.

‘Aye, well, I probably wouldn’t have done that if you weren’t there.

’ Her eyes wandered up to his face, her brows hitched in interest. ‘And who’s this knight in shining armour, then? ’

‘I’m Max.’ He held out his hand. ‘Not so sure about the knight in shining armour bit, though,’ he said.

Hilda slipped her hand into his. ‘And I’m Hilda Jenkins.’ She turned to Jasmine. ‘Ooh, your young man’s got a lovely handshake, strong but not overpowering. Very manly .’

Max laughed. ‘Delighted to meet you, Mrs Jenkins.’

‘It’s Hilda to you, Max.’ Her eyes shone as she gave a coquettish giggle.

‘In that case, I’m delighted to meet you, Hilda ,’ he said.

Charmer! ‘Max isn’t my young man, he’s an old friend .’ Jasmine gave Hilda a look to emphasise the point, and Hilda returned one that said, ‘ And who are you trying to kid, young lady? ’

‘Well, I don’t know about you, but I think I need a cup of tea after all that excitement.

’ Hilda made to head back to her home. ‘And I expect you to join us, Max, you’ve earnt yourself one and some of my special homemade shortbread biscuits, what with you being all chivalrous and seeing off that obnoxious individual. ’

‘You had me at homemade shortbread, Hilda, I’d be delighted to join you.

’ Max treated her to one of his heart-melting smiles.

‘And you’re giving me way too much credit for getting rid of “that obnoxious individual”.

I think between you and Jingilby, you had him quaking in his boots.

I just seized the opportunity to remind him of what he did all those years ago. Call it closure.’

‘Well, I hope you got it, lovey,’ Hilda said kindly, patting him on the arm.

‘I sure did.’

Jasmine wasn’t sure whether or not she was glad Max helped carry her cleaning equipment into Hilda’s apartment.

Granted, it saved her making two journeys, but on the other hand, she wasn’t sure how she felt about the whole “damsel needing the help of a man” scenario that seemed to be the case whenever Max showed up and intervened in an altercation she’d been having with Scraggo.

She was used to being independent as far as things like that were concerned, used to sticking up for herself.

She’d never felt the need for anyone to do it for her before, and she didn’t now.

But it was Max, and she told herself he wouldn’t have been able to stand by and watch without stepping in.

It would have been the same if the tables had been turned.

After all, she’d done just that when they were children and Scraggo had picked on Max.

And as far as helping carry her stuff into Hilda’s house, she’d have done the same for him. Stop overthinking, woman!

‘Jasmine and I always start our Tuesday mornings with a cuppa, don’t we, lovey?’ Hilda padded over the carpet, armed with an extra cup and saucer she’d fetched from the kitchen, setting it down on the small table in the high-ceilinged living room.

Despite its classic Victorian proportions, the room was cosy and welcoming thanks to Hilda’s comfy furnishings. Pictures of family were dotted about the space along with a couple of her much-missed friend, Enid.

‘We do, we put the world to rights.’ Jasmine was glad her elderly friend hadn’t taken long in the kitchen.

Her head had been swimming with the Scraggo incident, and she hadn’t known what to say to Max.

She didn’t feel it was right to discuss what had happened all those years ago in front of Hilda in case it made him feel uncomfortable.

Though, in fairness, he’d appeared lost in his own thoughts as he’d gazed silently out of the large Victorian window and onto the view of Thorncliffe and the sea.

She wondered what had been running through his mind, hoping the interaction with Scraggo hadn’t resurrected painful memories.

‘Can’t think of a better way to start the day than with a cup of tea and a good old chat.’ Max turned, a smile fixed to his face. ‘That’s a grand view you’ve got of the cliffs and the sea, Hilda.’

‘Aye, ’tis that. It’s one I never tire of, lovey.

Seems to look different every day. And I like to sit in that seat just by you there, and watch the world go by.

Anyroad, young man, come over here, make yourself comfortable.

You can tell me all about yourself and how you know our lovely Jasmine while she pours the tea. ’

‘It’s little Max Grainger, Hilda. Surely you remember him?’ Jasmine said, the teapot poised in her hand. ‘He lived over the road from us when I was a kid.’

Hilda leant towards Max, who was sitting in the chair opposite, and studied his face for what felt like an age. Max sat unflinching throughout, a hint of a smile on his lips.

‘Oh, my goodness!’ Hilda clapped her hands to her face. ‘It is you!’

‘Yep, Hilda, it is me.’ Max grinned.

Well, I never, little Max Grainger. It isn’t half lovely to see you, sweetheart. Mind, you’re not so little now, are you?’ She gave a delighted chuckle. ‘So, what’s brought you back to Micklewick Bay, and do you intend to stay?’

Jasmine added a dash of milk to the three cups of tea – it had somehow stuck in her mind that when he’d made them both tea at his house, he’d added just a splash to his own mug then.

Max sat back and breathed deeply. ‘I’d always planned to return, but wanted the time to be right. And, yes, I intend to stay. My son, Connor, has settled in well at the local school so there’s no way I’d uproot him.’

‘You have a son?’

‘I do.’

‘And is your wife here, too?’

‘I’m not married, it’s just Connor and me.’

‘Ahh, I see,’ said Hilda. You could almost hear the cogs of her brain whirring. She picked up the plate of shortbread, offering Max a piece. ‘You must try some, Max.’

‘Thank you, Hilda, it looks delicious.’ He took a square and bit into it, the elderly lady watching his reaction closely as he chewed. ‘Mmm. Oh, wow, Hilda! This is sublime! It’s so buttery with the perfect amount of crunch. I can honestly say, I’ve never tasted better shortbread.’

Hilda couldn’t have looked more thrilled if she’d tried. A huge smile lit up her face and she clapped her hands together. ‘That’s very kind, Max. I knew you’d like it.’ She lowered her voice. ‘It’s a secret family recipe.’

‘Well, I’ll tell you what, I wish I was a part of your family, Hilda, with a recipe as excellent as this one.’ With the square finished, he leant forward, his hand hovering over the plate of shortbread. ‘May I?’

‘Of course, sweetheart. You dive in, a big lad like you needs filling up.’

Jasmine watched the interaction, touched by Max’s kindness. She knew this would make Hilda’s day and she’d be talking about it, singing Max’s praises for weeks afterwards.

‘In fact, you’re welcome to call in for a cup of tea and some shortbread any time.

I don’t go out much, and when I do, it isn’t far.

It’d be lovely to see you. I’ve got one of them mobile telephone things, so if you remind me to give you my number before you leave, you can just give me a little tinkle if you fancy popping in, make sure I’m home.

Not that I go far, mind,’ she said. ‘Ooh, and you could bring your son, too.’