Page 48 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

THIRTY

Jasmine had left the solicitor’s office in a daze, wondering when the roller coaster that her life had become was going to slow down or preferably stop so she could get off and find somewhere quiet where she could gather her thoughts.

She needed time to absorb this latest piece of information, but her head was so full of other things, she was struggling to find a space for it.

She glanced at her watch, then over at The Happy Harte’s Bookshop.

The bakery, where she was due to start her shift in just over half an hour, was two doors down.

She could do with talking this new development over with Florrie before then; her friend had found herself in a similar situation a few years ago, though on a slightly larger scale.

A moment later, the bell above the bookshop door jangled noisily as Jasmine stepped inside, the inimitable smell of books rushing at her.

‘Hi, Jasmine.’ Leah, the young assistant, beamed at her from the counter where a small display of stationery and bookmarks had been artfully arranged.

‘Hi.’ Jasmine smiled back.

Gerty, the bookshop’s resident Labrador, heaved herself out of her bed by the counter and trotted over to greet Jasmine.

‘Hello there, Gerty.’ She bent and smoothed her hand over the Labrador’s velvety head.

‘Jazz! Great to see you.’

Jasmine followed the direction of the voice to see Florrie peering around a bookshelf, a clutch of paperbacks in her hand.

‘Hi, Florrie, don’t suppose you’ve got a minute? I could do with running something past you.’

‘’Course, I was going to take my lunchbreak just after I’d put these on the shelves. Give me two ticks, we can head through to the back.’

Jasmine gazed around the bookshop while Florrie finished her task.

The salvaged staircase they’d had fitted had totally transformed the space, its ornate ironwork spindles and the rich patina of the handrail adding character.

It led to the newly created tearoom located in the converted living quarters. Florrie and Ed were thrilled with it.

‘Right, that’s that done,’ said Florrie, emerging from the romance section. ‘Come on, I’ll pop the kettle on and you can tell me what’s on your mind.’

Arriving at the tiny kitchen, Florrie didn’t waste a moment. ‘So, is this about Max?’ Her eyes sparkled behind her tortoiseshell glasses.

Her question took Jasmine by surprise. ‘Well, it wasn’t, but maybe it could be.’

‘I see, I think.’ Florrie laughed as she reached for a couple of mugs. ‘Park your bum, missus, and tell me all about it.’

‘I’ll start with my original reason for being here.’ Jasmine pulled out a chair at the small table. ‘You know I had an appointment at Cuthbert, Asquith there was no point in sharing that now.

Though the reminder of Dodgy Dick and his wife had made her blood boil all over again.

Florrie took a sip of her tea, contemplating what she’d just heard. ‘I can see that Max means well, but I can understand why it would make you feel uncomfortable. I reckon I’d be the same if I were in your shoes.’

Jasmine sighed. It felt good to know she wasn’t the only one who felt that way, that she wasn’t overreacting.

Florrie sat up straight. ‘Actually, you do realise you have a solution, don’t you?’

‘Do I?’

‘That little nest egg Enid left you, would you consider putting it towards the rent of a more expensive property?’

Jasmine took a moment to consider Florrie’s suggestion.

She hadn’t even got as far as thinking about what she’d do with the money if she kept it.

The house on Wilkinthorpe Road popped into her mind, making her feel suddenly brighter.

‘You know, that’s not a bad idea. Has anyone ever told you you’re a genius, Florrie? ’

‘Not nearly often enough.’ They both hooted with laughter at that.

‘Yikes! Have you seen the time?’ Jasmine glanced at the clock and got to her feet, downing the dregs of her tea. ‘I’ll be late for work at this rate.’

‘Just as well you don’t have far to go.’ Florrie giggled, scooping up the mugs and popping them into the sink.

‘True. Thanks for listening to me moaning, and for your fab advice, flower. If I don’t see you before, I’ll see you at the Jolly on Friday.’

‘You’re welcome. And I’ll look forward to hearing all about Max and the stuff you didn’t share today.’

Don’t go there! ‘Don’t build your hopes up, there’s nowt to tell.’

‘Then why is your body language telling a different story?’

Jasmine shook her head. ‘You’re seeing things. Anyroad, I’m off, see ya.’

She dashed out of the bookshop before her friend could say anything further, calling a goodbye to Leah and Gerty as she went.