Page 88 of The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery

‘He was born and bred in Yorkshire, so he can drink out of a mug like the rest of us,’ she says, a little brusquely.

The door opens, and Tom from the Red Lion comes in, clutching a bottle of wine.

Maddie rushes over to him, relieving him of the bottle. ‘Didn’t think you’d come.’

‘I switched my shifts. Couldn’t possibly miss your leaving do. Besides, I wanted to talk to your stepmother about something.’

Oh God, Louise thinks. Please don’t let him be another person with a book idea.

But before Tom can corner her, Hazel and Heather arrive, unwinding scarves and removing gloves.

‘Such a cold evening!’ Hazel says. ‘Still, nothing like a party to warm you up.’

‘And we’ll have the grand opening soon too,’ Heather adds. Over Heather’s shoulder, through the window in the door, Louise spots Elizabeth. She hadn’t noticed her mother leaving and isn’t sure why she’s just standing there rather than coming in, but she goes to open the door for her anyway.

Elizabeth is holding a tray laden with wine glasses. ‘I borrowed these from the pub.’ She sees Louise’s expression and adds, ‘Well, it’s a special occasion, darling.’

Most people already have a mug of champagne, so Louise isn’t quite sure what her mother is expecting them to do – tip it from the mug into the glass perhaps? She shakes her head and turns away.

Anna is handing round a selection of delightful canapés, all made to her own recipe. It had been her idea. ‘Cakes don’t really go with champagne. And it’ll make a nice change to bake something savoury.’

Across the room, Richard is examining the bookshelves, running his fingers along the spines. Louise watches as her mother goes over to him, deftly removes his mug and replaces it with a glass of champagne.

‘It’s a very good selection,’ Richard says. ‘Your daughter has good taste.’

‘She gets that from me,’ Elizabeth says. ‘My late husband wasn’t much of a reader. I was always encouraging her to read as a child. Shakespeare, Dickens…’

Louise makes a sound, a kind of cross between a snort and a laugh. Her mother’s idea of a good read is Hello magazine.

‘Louise!’ a voice beside her says. It’s Tom again. ‘Louise, I wanted to ask you… I wondered if…’

She nods encouragingly.

‘I write poems. And I wondered if you’d take a look at them. Tell me if they’re any good. Or if I’m wasting my time.’

‘D’you enjoy writing poems?’

‘Yes, I love it.’

She pats his arm. ‘Then you aren’t wasting your time. Keep writing your poems.’

He reaches into the back pocket of his jeans, and pulls out a tatty piece of paper. ‘I’ve got one here. Would you like to—’

‘Louise!’ Anna appears at her elbow. ‘Could you help me in the kitchen? Running low on canapés.’

‘Of course. Excuse me, Tom. We’ll talk more later.’

Anna ushers Louise into the kitchen. Despite the unexpected number of guests, there are still several plates of canapés ready to be served.

‘You looked like you needed rescuing,’ Anna says.

‘You’re an angel. I did. He’s very sweet but… I just want this evening over with.’

‘It must be hard, Maddie leaving?’

‘It is. And…’ She stops herself. She’d been about to say ‘Jack too,’ but then the man himself appears, steps in carrying a stack of empty mugs. ‘Your mother’s made everyone tip their wine into the glasses. D’you have a cloth? And possibly one of those “Caution! Wet Floor!” signs?’

Louise rolls her eyes. ‘I knew she’d do that. I just knew it. I’ll get a mop.’