Page 7 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

Jasmine recalled hearing that Ali’s maternal grandfather suffered from dementia. ‘You poor things, I hope he’s okay. Did you manage to find him?’

‘We did, thank goodness. He’d taken a wander down to the bottom prom and had been trying to persuade Ando Taylor to teach him how to skateboard, of all things. It was Ando who kindly contacted Mum, told her Grandad was with him.’

‘Blimey, that’s quite a morning you’ve all had.’

‘Aye, just a bit.’ Ali smiled as she rolled her eyes.

It crossed Jasmine’s mind that Ando may be a bit daft when he’d had a drink or two, but, ultimately, he had a good heart.

It still wasn’t enough to make her want to spend an evening with him, sharing his jar of pickled eggs and “Gut Rot” homebrew, though.

She couldn’t imagine anything would ever tempt her to do that.

‘The cake’s just through here. I hope you like it.’ Jasmine led the way to the kitchen.

‘I have every faith in you, Jazz. I know it’ll be awesome without even looking at it.’

Since Ali was running so late, she declined Jasmine’s offer of unboxing all the tiers of the cake so she could take a peek at each one, and was happy to just see the top one decorated with the roses.

‘Oh, my God, that’s stunning, Jazz! You’re so talented. Have you thought about giving up your other jobs and focusing on this full time? I reckon you’d be inundated with orders.’

‘That’d be the dream,’ Jasmine said, the praise making her cheeks flush as her thoughts went to her meeting with Lady Caro, though she didn’t want to jinx it by saying anything to Ali.

‘So, here are the instructions of how to put the cake together – it’s very straightforward – and here’s a bit of edible glue to keep the tiers in place.

It’s best to do it once you’re at the venue, that way you don’t risk it getting damaged en route. ’

‘Thanks, Jazz, you’ve thought of everything. Right, I’d best dash.’

‘Time for a cuppa, Mum?’ Jasmine asked once Ali had gone.

‘Aye, a quick one, lovey. Your dad’s going to whisk me over to York this afternoon and I need to get changed.’

‘How nice.’ Jasmine reached for the kettle as her mum headed over to the small table.

‘Did you see, there’s another house gone up for sale out there?’ asked Heather.

‘What, on this street?’

‘Mm-hm. Number twelve’s got a For Sale sign on it.’

‘I reckon over half the street must’ve gone on the market this year.’ Jasmine hoped her landlord wouldn’t be tempted to jump on the bandwagon and sell this place; affordable rental houses were hard to come by in Micklewick Bay.

‘And you’ll never guess what else I’ve just spotted,’ Heather said, her green eyes, so like her daughter’s, dancing with the news she was about to share. ‘It’s going to cause a right load of gossip and speculation, I can tell you.’

‘What is?’ Jasmine looked up, thoughts of Lady Caro’s offer slipping to the back of her mind.

‘Go on, have a guess.’

‘Er, someone’s painted the station building bright blue with pink stripes.’

‘Granted, that would generate a bit of gossip.’ Heather chuckled. ‘But nope, you’re way off.’

‘In that case, you’re going to have to enlighten me.’ That her brain had been wrestling with so many other thoughts, meant conjuring up random guesses felt nigh on impossible to Jasmine right now.

‘Well,’ said Heather, hooking her bag over the back of a dining chair, ‘as I was driving by the Micklewick Majestic this morning, I noticed there was a sold sign fixed to the gatepost; it was hard to miss actually.’

‘No way?’ This was news. The Micklewick Majestic was a once grand hotel that had been known as the jewel in Micklewick Bay’s crown until recent years when its owner’s fortunes had taken a turn for the worse.

The imposing Victorian building had stood empty, falling further and further into disrepair as the years went by, ending up a pathetic and forlorn shadow of its former self.

‘Yes way.’ Heather nodded.

‘It’s been on the market for that long, I’d actually forgotten about it.’ The For Sale sign had long since succumbed to the wind blowing in from the North Sea and now lay in several pieces on the ground.

‘Aye, I know what you mean. Mind, whoever’s bought it has their work cut out for them.’

‘You’re not kidding, especially if the exterior is anything to go by. Last time I passed the place, it looked as if the grounds were being used as a local dumping site.’

‘I think they have been.’

Despite her mum’s news, Jasmine’s thoughts quickly switched back to the phone call from Lady Caro and the dilemma it posed of how she was going to squeeze in a meeting with her.

‘Ooh, this looks interesting.’ Jasmine turned to see her mum admiring the latest sugar paste decoration she’d been working on while she was waiting for the kids to land back.

Her open sketchbook was beside it, showing her design of a fondant cruise ship set on a vibrant blue sea, complete with white, frothy waves and dolphins cavorting amongst them.

She’d enjoyed thinking up the design and had even included a small sandy island with a palm tree.

‘It’s for a client from out of town who’s stipulated a cruise ship design. It’s not due till next week, but I thought I’d make a start on the elements now.’

‘You’re so creative, lovey.’

‘Thanks.’ Jasmine gave a distracted sigh.

‘Everything okay, lovey?’ her mum asked, a frown furrowing her brow.

‘Yeah, it is, it’s great actually.’ She flashed her a smile. ‘Well, it would be if it wasn’t for one thing.’

‘Oh?’

Jasmine recounted the details of the phone call from Lady Caro as her mother sipped her tea.

‘Oh, sweetheart, that’s wonderful news!’ Heather pressed her hand to her chest. ‘I’m so proud of you, and your dad will be, too, when he hears about it.’

‘Thanks, Mum. My mind’s been racing with ideas for cakes since the call.

It’s all I’ve been able to think about.’ Jasmine sat back in her seat.

Though talking about it had set excitement coursing through her veins again, it was tempered by the concern of whether her increasingly busy schedule was sustainable. She puffed out another sigh.

‘So what’s the thing that’s bothering you?’

‘Lady Caro’s asked if I can pop over there for a visit to discuss things further.

She suggested Tuesday morning, but the only trouble is I’ve got a cleaning shift for then – it’s Hilda, who I can’t let down.

And the rest of the week’s manic, and Lady Caro says she’s busy anyway.

I haven’t got a clue how I could possibly squeeze anything else in, never mind driving over to Danskelfe Castle.

I don’t have a minute to spare, not to mention the half day the meeting will probably take.

’ What Jasmine didn’t say was that another concern had started to nibble away at the edges of her mind.

Lady Caro had sounded so keen to get cracking with the wedding planning service, Jasmine’s worries that she’d offer the cake contract to someone else had been growing.

It didn’t help that there was a cake decorator near Middleton-le-Moors whose creations Jasmine couldn’t help but admire.

‘I really hate to ask, Mum, especially with all you do for me already, but?—’

Heather didn’t miss a beat. ‘Simple solution, flower: I’ll cover your shift for you.

I’ve known Hilda all my life, we get along like a house on fire.

And it’s not as if it’d be the first time I’ve cleaned for her.

I know I’ll be a poor second, but we both know she’ll understand, especially where your cakes are concerned – she’s always singing their praises. ’

‘Are you sure, Mum? I know you’re already really busy as it is.’ Guilt crawled over her. Heather also worked for Alice as well as caring for an elderly neighbour.

‘Of course I’m sure. I’m not doing anything else on Tuesday morning, and even if I was, I’m never so busy that I can’t help out my super-talented daughter when an amazing business opportunity comes her way.’

‘Not sure about the super-talented bit.’

‘Well, I am. Lady Caro hasn’t contacted you for no reason.

This could be too good an opportunity to pass up, Jasmine lovey.

You never know, it could even mean you have the chance to give up your other jobs and focus on your cake decorating business full time.

You’ve said numerous times that would be the dream.

’ Heather dipped her head, looking directly into her daughter’s eyes.

‘It’s none of my business, but if you want my advice, you should grasp the opportunity with both hands, or at the very least hear what Lady Caro has to say. ’

‘But—’

‘No buts, it’s sorted. I’ll cover your shift – you’ve helped me out in the past. Alice won’t mind as long as someone’s doing it, and Hilda will be just fine. I’ll fill her in on all the local gossip.’

Jasmine took a moment to mull over her mother’s offer.

Her words about the possibility of being able to treat her cake decorating business as a full-time job filled her mind and made her pulse gallop.

It really would be a dream come true. And if her mum’s prediction proved right, the meeting with Lady Caro could potentially result in an increase in her earnings in the long term.

Jasmine gnawed on her bottom lip. Much as she could do with the money she’d earn from Tuesday’s shift, Jasmine told herself she should look on the meeting as an investment.