Page 123 of The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery

Awkward in a hopeful kind of way.

‘Just wondered if …’ he falters. ‘Maddie, would you like to come for a drink?’

‘In the Lion?’ Elizabeth says. ‘I think that’s a very good idea. And Richard and I will come too. I think Jack and Louise probably have things to talk about.’

‘Great,’ Tom says, though he’s clearly baffled by what just happened.

‘The drinks are on Richard,’ Maddie says, as the four of them leave the bakery.

‘Poor bloke,’ Louise says when they’ve gone.

‘Babbo? He brought all this on himself.’

‘No, I meant Tom. He’s got a major crush on Maddie and she just can’t see it.’

‘She’s still with Theo?’

‘As far as I know.’

‘So the bookshop is staying open?’

‘Yeah. It’s staying open. But more importantly, are you staying in Applethwaite? It’s a big move. And now your father’s better…’ Her voice trails away.

‘I think so. I want to be here. I fell in love with Yorkshire the moment I stepped out of the van. I guess it’s in my blood. And yes, Dad’s better, but he’s on loads of medication and he’s not getting any younger, and I’d like to spend some quality time with him, you know?’

She does know. She feels the same about Elizabeth.

‘And I want to spend some quality time with you,’ he adds.

‘We’ve only just met.’

‘Which means the fun part is still to come. The bit where we really get to know each other.’

He’s staying. He’s really staying.

‘Now I need to buy a book,’ he says. ‘I must be the only person in Applethwaite who hasn’t.’

‘Actually, I have a book for you. But it’s a gift. You can’t buy it.’

She stands up, and goes behind the counter. She rummages around on the shelf where the clean mugs are all stacked until she finds a small padded envelope.

‘I was going to wrap it,’ she says, walking back to their table, ‘but it’s only just arrived and I haven’t had time.’ She slides the book out of the envelope and hands it to him.

‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,’ he says. ‘You remembered.’

‘First edition, no less. I got lucky on eBay.’

‘Thank you.’ He stands up and plants a kiss on her forehead, then pulls her towards him, cradling her. They stand there for a few moments, before he says, ‘Actually, there’s another book I want.’

Louise pulls back and looks at him. ‘There is?’

‘It’s on the top shelf,’

She laughs. ‘I’ll get the stepladder.’

‘No, allow me.’

Jack leaves the bakery, but returns two minutes later with his still broken stepladder. Louise climbs up, conscious that she’s wearing a skirt this time, but glancing down, she sees Jack has averted his eyes, ever the gentleman.