Page 52 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

THIRTY-FOUR

SUNDAY

With the last load of washing hung on the line in their poky backyard, Jasmine scooped up the tin of caramel brownies she’d baked that morning and whose indulgent chocolatey aroma still permeated the whole house, and grabbed her keys.

‘Zak, Chloe, time to go,’ she called up the stairs.

Seconds later Zak thundered down from his bedroom, almost crashing into his mum when he reached the bottom.

‘Go steady, Zak, these brownies nearly ended up on the floor.’

He pulled a mock horrified face, making her laugh just as Chloe appeared and skipped her way towards her. ‘I’d still eat ’em,’ he said.

‘I don’t doubt that for a second.’

The little garden at Samphire Cottage was a cheery suntrap, the flowerbeds spilling over with brightly coloured blooms. Bunting in pastel shades was festooned along the walls and around the shed, while a floral cloth was thrown over the trestle table that was groaning with food.

Smoke from the barbecue swirled around on the light whisper of a breeze, tormenting Gerty.

Stella and Alex were already there, as were Lark and Nate, with the two men chatting to Ed at the barbecue. They all called over their hellos to Jasmine and the kids.

‘Maggie and Bear are running late, baby Lucy’s having a nap and since she was up most of the night, they don’t like to disturb her,’ explained Florrie.

‘Don’t blame them. I can remember those times, hopefully Mags’ll grab some sleep while she’s got the chance,’ said Jasmine.

‘What can I get you to drink, Jazz?’ asked Florrie. She was looking cool in her mint-green knee-length sundress.

‘Ooh, I think I’ll have a have a glass of cider, thanks.’

‘Kids, how about you? We’ve got some ice pops in the freezer if you fancy one of those each.’

Florrie’s suggestion was enthusiastically received by Zak and Chloe who followed her into the kitchen.

Jasmine headed over to the table and made a space for the tin of brownies.

‘Now then, Jazz, please tell me that contains something delicious baked by you,’ said Stella, looking coolly sophisticated as always in her cream linen knee-length dress that showed off her long, coltish legs.

Her straight, blonde hair was swept back in a loose ponytail while dark sunglasses shielded her eyes.

She had a glass of what Jasmine guessed was a spritzer in her hand.

Stella invariably had prep to do for her cases on a Sunday, so limited her alcohol intake.

‘Caramel brownies today,’ said Jasmine.

‘Ooh, heavenly,’ said Lark, whose silver-threaded fine cotton dress created the illusion she was shimmering in the sunlight. Her wavy blonde locks were woven into two plaits and arranged on top of her head in a bid to keep her cool.

‘So, how’s things?’ asked Stella. She and Lark were sitting on all-weather chairs in the small, paved area of the garden.

‘Things seem to have calmed down over the weekend. Touch wood.’ Jasmine tapped her head before flopping into one of the empty seats. ‘The viewing went well yesterday, so I’m just having a think about that. I told the agent I’d ge?—’

‘Who’s that ?’ said Stella, sitting up straight and cutting Jasmine off.

‘Who?’ said Jasmine.

‘Who? The drop-dead gorgeous bloke standing next to Florrie, that’s who!’

‘Ooh, he is very attractive,’ said Lark.

Jasmine followed their gaze. ‘Oh, my days. What’s Max doing here?’ Her thoughts went into overdrive and she didn’t know which one to tackle first.

Stella and Lark exchanged confused looks.

‘That’s Max?’ said Stella.

‘I can’t believe it!’ Lark sounded as stunned as Stella.

‘Yep, it’s him,’ said Jasmine as Zak and Chloe ran by on their way to greet Connor. This wasn’t the way she’d expected to introduce Max after all these years.

‘That must be his son, he’s the double of Max when he was that kind of age,’ said Stella.

‘Isn’t he just?’ agreed Lark.

‘Yes, Connor’s his son,’ said Jasmine, her heart going like the clappers. ‘And the Labrador crossed with something fluffy that Gerty’s currently making eyes at is Ernest who’s a real sweetheart.’

‘Ah, he looks it too.’ Lark looked over at the two Labradors and smiled.

‘It would seem love is in the air,’ said Stella, a hint of mischief in her voice.

‘Don’t start,’ said Jasmine. She swallowed nervously as Florrie headed towards them, Max following up behind. Stella had hit the nail on the head, he was drop-dead gorgeous. He made her wayward heart flutter. Time to put your big girl panties on and face what he has to say to you.

‘Hi, Max.’ She smiled up at him, and was relieved when he smiled back.

In her role as host, Florrie dealt with the introductions in her usual friendly manner. ‘Max, you remember Stella and Lark, don’t you? They’ll have grown a bit since you last saw them.’

‘Of course I remember, it’s great to see you both again.’

‘It’s great to see you too, Max.’ Stella took off her sunglasses, giving him a full appraisal before getting to her feet and giving him a hug. ‘And you’ve definitely grown! I’d never have recognised you.’

He gave a deep laugh. ‘And you’ve barely changed.’

‘Yep, still a lanky-legs.’ Stella chuckled. She’d always been tall for her age and worn her blonde hair long.

‘Max, welcome back to Micklewick Bay, I was thrilled to hear you’d returned.’ Lark enveloped him in one of her fragrant embraces.

‘Thanks, Lark, I’m thrilled to be back.’

Feeling it would look unfriendly if she was the only one to remain in her seat, Jasmine got to her feet. Max turned to her, an uncertain look in his eye.

She reached up and wrapped her arms around him just as Stella and Lark had done, inhaling the clean fragrance of his cologne. ‘It’s good to see you, Max. I’ve been trying to get in touch.’ He slid his arms around her.

‘Work’s been busy.’ It tore at her insides that his voice was so flat because of her. She hugged him tight in a most un-Jasmine-like way.

‘Not too busy for a chat later, I hope,’ she whispered.

When she eventually released him, she asked, ‘So how come you’re here?’

‘I reckon he followed the smell of the barbecue,’ Ed called over.

Max laughed, the twinkle in his eyes reappearing and gladdening Jasmine’s heart.

‘Connor was after a book, so I took him to The Happy Hartes Bookshop and got chatting to the friendly young woman at the till, who turned out to be Florrie. She mentioned the barbecue and said we – including Ernest – were invited. Talking of my wayward hound, I’d better check he hasn’t been helping himself to food on the sly. ’

A quick glance around revealed him to be sitting beside Gerty, the pair of them observing the barbecue with great interest and much drooling.

Max chuckled. ‘Seems he’s got himself a new lady friend.’

‘Reckon he’s not the only one,’ said Stella, sotto voce.

Jasmine shot her a look for her trouble.

They’d waited as long as they could for Maggie and Bear to arrive before serving the food, but a further text from Bear told them that baby Lucy was still fast asleep and now Maggie had crashed out such that he couldn’t wake her.

He’d given them the go-ahead to start without them.

Soon, everyone was tucking into plump sausages and burgers and piling their plates with salad and couscous, all the while quizzing Max about what he’d been up to since he’d left Micklewick Bay.

He, in turn, caught up with what the others had been doing, listening with interest.

Zak, Connor and Chloe sat away from the grown-ups, sneaking bits of sausage to the dogs and giggling mischievously.

‘It’s so cool you’re all still such good friends,’ Max said.

‘Aye we’ve been together through thick and thin,’ said Jasmine.

‘We certainly have,’ agreed Lark.

‘Tell you what, I don’t know about Ernest, but Gerty’s looking like she could do with a bit of a leg stretch.

With it being so hot earlier, she didn’t get a chance for one.

It’s cooled down a fair bit now. I don’t suppose you’d mind taking her for a quick run on the beach, would you, Jazz?

’ Florrie announced out of the blue. ‘Just while I get some of this cleared away.’

A quick run on the beach? Had her friend lost her marbles? Jasmine shot Florrie a look; she couldn’t have been more transparent if she’d tried.

‘I reckon you’re right, Florrie, Ernest’s overdue a walk,’ said Max. ‘Fancy joining me, Jingilby?’

Jasmine could feel several pairs of eyes boring into her like laser beams.

‘Yeah, why not?’ It would give them the perfect opportunity to have a chat and for Jasmine to apologise.

Jasmine and Max took a left out of the gate at Samphire Cottage, the dogs on the end of their leads, trotting along at a jaunty pace, a welcome breeze drifting in from the sea. It wasn’t long before they’d reached the top prom.

‘Get the feeling we’ve been set up?’ Max asked, smiling.

‘Er, just a bit.’ She laughed. In the next moment her expression turned serious.

She couldn’t keep it in any longer, it had been churning around inside her ever since he’d arrived at Florrie and Ed’s.

‘Listen, Max, I want to say how sorry I am for the way I spoke to you at my parents’ house the other day.

It was horrible of me, you’re the last person I’d want to upset.

I’m not trying to excuse myself, I take full responsibility for what I said, but all I can say is it’s been a stressful couple of weeks and I lashed out.

’ She turned her head to him. ‘I’m really sorry, Max. ’

‘Of course I accept your apology, Jingilby. I’m not going to say your words didn’t hurt, because they did. I’d never want to make anyone feel I was “lording it over them” as you described it. And if I gave that impression, then I should apologise for that.’