Page 116 of The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery

She’d sell loads of books and loads of bakes and the bookshop bakery would feel like the beating heart of the Applethwaite community, just as it had been when it was a bakery with her mother and grandmother at the helm.

And Maddie would finally realise that Theo is not the man for her, and she’d fall madly in love with Tom from the Red Lion and they’d live happily ever after too.

Perhaps Elizabeth could have some romance in this mythical scenario as well. Why not? She’s only sixty-five, and she’s been a widow for years now. Why shouldn’t she meet someone? Assuming she wants to, that is.

Not Richard though. Louise knows her mother has a crush on Richard, but in this fantasy of hers, she wants Elizabeth to find someone with more integrity.

And Anna. She’s still getting over her marriage breakdown, but maybe in time, she’ll be ready to meet someone again.

But right now, there’s no sign of any happy-ever-afters – for any of them.

Jack hasn’t gone back to London – which is great, obviously – but he hasn’t spoken to his father either.

And he hasn’t made love to her again. Or even kissed her.

After the grand opening, that night in the glass dome, he read to her as he’d promised. His voice with its soft accent and sing-song rhythm did indeed relax her; so much so that she nearly drifted off.

‘You could narrate audiobooks,’ she murmured. ‘You’ve got a gift.’

He laughed softly. ‘Yeah, right. No end to my talents, eh?’

‘I don’t think there is, no. You are a very talented man.’

He put down the book then and gazed at her, and she saw something in his eyes that she thought she recognised. It wasn’t lust. She knew that look well. This was something else entirely. If she wasn’t very much mistaken, it was love.

But he didn’t say he loved her. Didn’t lean over and kiss her. Nothing.

He watched her for a few seconds, then stood up and held out his hand. ‘Come on. You should get to bed. It’s been a busy day.’

She accepted, allowing him to help her to her feet. He was right. She should get to bed; she was bone-weary.

They walked through the bookshop bakery together, cutting through the kitchen and through the shop itself, where some of the tables and chairs were askew. The sign on the front door still read ‘open’, though it clearly wasn’t. She locked up as she went, killing the lights before heading up the stairs to her flat.

As she put her key into the door of the flat, Jack simply said, ‘Goodnight, Luisa. And well done for today.’ And that was it.

She played the memory over in her head, kicking herself for not saying something. Anything.

And to add to the disappointment, she’s hardly sold any books.

The till is empty.

Well, not really. The bookshop bakery is doing a brisk trade in scones, cakes and coffees and enormous pots of tea, but most of the books remain firmly on the shelves.

The other day, Louise sold only one book. The most pristine copy of The Silent Garden. And the author herself bought it.

And she waited till Louise was out and Anna was on the till.

Louise texts Maddie:

No-one’s buying books.

Maddie’s reply comes back immediately.

Okay, leave it with me. I’ll get onto the socials.

The first influencer arrives the following morning, all hair extensions and perfect make-up, making Louise feel instantly scruffy. She’s carrying a designer handbag that probably cost more than the bookshop bakery’s monthly takings.

Not that the bookshop bakery has been open a month yet, but more than Louise imagines her monthly takings might be.