The Cosy Little Cupcake Van: A deliciously feel-good romance

by Annette Hannah

  Ged handed her the shredded duck and wrapped up his pancake expertly before preparing to take a bite. ‘I could just tell the way you were looking at each other that there was definitely some unfinished business going on. He couldn’t take his eyes off you and you looked pretty smitten with him too, if you don’t mind me saying.’ He bit into the pancake to let her absorb what he was saying.

  ‘Was it really that obvious?’

  ‘You couldn’t miss it. There were literally sparks flying off the pair of you.’

  She shook her head. ‘Well there shouldn’t have been because he’s been seeing someone in Canada. I really don’t even want to get back into it with him, as he broke my heart last time so this whole conversation is pointless.’ She bit into the pancake, her hunger getting the better of her, and chewed quickly so she could carry on talking. The backs of her eyes were stinging, and the pancake had to manoeuvre its way past a lump in her throat. She felt foolish but didn’t want to cry. ‘I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I’m telling you all this.’ Thick tears ran down her cheeks and she swiped them away angrily.

  Ged looked sympathetic and passed her a tissue from the box on the table. ‘Because we’re friends – that’s why. Look, I’m not making any excuses for him but us blokes sometimes don’t know how to handle situations so well. I mean I try and be upfront with girls I’ve been with when I say I don’t want a relationship and they tell me it’s fine. But then they can’t handle it. Like Gina today, they always want more than I can give.’ He rubbed his forehead with his hand.

  I feel terrible about it, but I can’t do the relationship and kids thing. I’m too much of a free spirit but I never hide it.’ He took a swig of beer; she leaned forward and sipped her wine. ‘If it’s any consolation, judging purely by the way he looked at you and the way he looked at me like he wanted to punch me, I would say that it was far from over between you two.’

  Camilla glanced at him; full of hope. ‘Do you think?’

  ‘Look, you’re far too beautiful and intelligent and independent to be worrying about all this so why not just wait and see what he has to say for himself? This guy would be crazy to walk away from you.’

  ‘He did it before,’ she snapped but immediately felt disloyal to Blake, ‘although that was because he was in another country and his dad died. I’m probably not being fair to him, but I just can’t hide my disappointment.’

  Ged sat next to her on the couch and put his arm around her. ‘Look, how about we strike up another deal?’

  She rested her head on his shoulder. He smelt delicious, like coffee beans.

  ‘What sort of deal were you thinking of?’

  ‘I was thinking that if you don’t get back with him then you buy a round-the-world ticket and join me on my trip. I’ll be going in a couple of months and it will be unbelievable.’

  She lifted her head to look in his face. He was smiling.

  ‘Are you serious?’

  He nodded enthusiastically, brought his bottle of beer to his mouth and took a refreshing swig.

  ‘I’m deadly serious. We can even go to Canada and blow raspberries at him and his stupid girlfriend if you want.’ He blew a raspberry with his thumb on his nose, his fingers waggling above. She laughed at the display of childishness and copied him. He continued, ‘We can have cocktails in Koh Samui, go dancing in Da Nang and scuba-dive in the Seychelles. It’ll be so much fun. What do you say?’

  The wine had already begun to infiltrate her brain so there was only one answer she could give.

  ‘Yes, why the hell not.’ She clinked her wine glass against his beer bottle and they both toasted their new deal.

  He kissed her on the top of the head. ‘Now I don’t know about you but I’m ready for that fillet steak.’

  Feeling happier, she jumped up and skipped into the kitchen to collect their main meals from the oven whilst Ged replenished their drinks.

  ‘How’s the charity event plans coming along?’ She asked as she placed the dishes on the coffee table.

  ‘Not bad thanks, although I’ve just been let down on a local venue, the village hall in Nexton has flooded apparently so all their events have been pushed back?’

  ‘Oh no, would you like me to phone Lucy and ask her if we can use the Signal Box Café?’

  ‘Yes please that would be brilliant if you’re sure.’

  ‘No problem,’ Camilla called Lucy and after a couple of minutes chatting she hung up with a huge smile on her face. ‘Right that’s all sorted then, your charity event is being held in Bramblewood at the Signal Box Café. Lucy was delighted to help.’

  ‘Thank you and thank Lucy too. I’m co-ordinating a few of these events in different areas and could do with some more volunteers to take over the organising. I don’t suppose you’d like to get involved would you?

  ‘I’d be honoured to and I’m sure the girls would love to help too.’

  Camilla grabbed a notebook and pen to jot down a to do list as they bounced ideas around with one another.

  Chapter 24

  ‘Ah, I thought the smell and sound of sizzling bacon would bring you back to life,’ said Camilla the next morning. Ged threw back the throw he’d used as a blanket, stretched his legs and stood up.

  ‘Did you sleep well?’ Camilla asked.

  ‘Yes, fine thanks,’ he said, although the way he was rubbing at his lower back told a different story.

  The bacon spat noisily as she turned it over in the pan. She brought Ged a cup of steaming coffee. ‘I know it’s not as good as yours but this should wake you up, sleepyhead.’ As she placed it on the coffee table for him her robe fell open. She wrapped it around herself again and did up the belt. Luckily she had her matching pyjamas on underneath so she didn’t need to be too embarrassed.

  A loud pop and the sound of the smoke alarm going off sent her running back into the kitchen where she removed the pan from the heat and wafted a tea towel underneath the detector until it was silent.

  ‘Are you okay in there?’ he shouted.

  ‘All good thanks. Don’t worry, it was just the pan smoking. The bacon is just right. You do like it crispy, don’t you?’

  ‘Is there any other way of having it?’ he replied taking a mouthful of coffee.

  ‘Red or brown?’

  ‘Ah I see you are fluent in the international language of bacon sarnies; definitely has to be brown for me please.’ Within seconds she handed him a small plate with a bacon sandwich oozing with melting butter and brown sauce. ‘Thanks, this looks delicious.’ As he bit into it she walked in with her own plate and a paper towel each.

  ‘Ooh looks like I’m just in time with this,’ she said as she wiped the butter from his chin.

  His eyes rolled up to the ceiling. ‘See now, here’s me thinking you were just the cupcake queen when in fact you’re the bacon butty queen as well. Who knows, you could be the one who finally makes an honest man out of me and marches me up the aisle.’

  She laughed. ‘What and leave a trail of heartbroken women in the world? I don’t think so. Don’t worry, I’m happy to be your best mate, aka cupcake slash bacon butty queen, aka possible travelling round the world companion.’

  He winked at her and flexed his muscles. ‘There’s a lot of women who would love to get the shackles on this and my coffee is to die for so let me know if you change your mind.’

  ‘Believe me I know how many women are after you. I’ve seen the trail of heartbreak you leave behind. And although those Irish eyes of yours are always smiling, I know that if we stay friends then I’ll get to keep you for longer.’

  ‘Oh yes and how do you work that one out?’

  She smiled at him. ‘Because the inevitable breaking up wouldn’t have to happen and I can cry on your shoulder for evermore.’ She took a hearty bite from her sandwich and giggled as sauce appeared on her cheek.

  He looked at her and screwed his face up in pretend disgust. ‘Oh if I’d known that I would have never offered to let you waltz me up the aisle.’
>
  ‘Known what? That I’m a messy eater?’

  ‘No! The fact that you’re a red.’

  She looked at the napkin she’d just wiped her face with to see the bright red sauce and pretended she was going to wipe it on him.

  Laughing, he laced up his boots. ‘Thanks for last night. It was lovely and relaxing. Thanks for sorting out the venue for the charity event and for your offer to help. I’m sure it will be an amazing do.’

  ‘No problem, it’s such a worthwhile cause, I’m really looking forward to it. Thank you for keeping me company and for talking me down about Blake. Can you please forget everything I said. I realise in the cold light of day that I was just wishing for something that had long gone. It must be my hormones or something.’

  ‘If you say so,’ he replied, not looking a hundred per cent convinced.

  ‘Oh, wait a minute.’ She ran into the kitchen and pulled a carrier bag out of the fridge, which she brought through and handed to him. ‘Leftovers from last night. There’s another couple of meals in there.’

  ‘Are you sure you don’t want them?’

  ‘No it’s fine honestly; I’m going to Carrie’s later for a roast so it’ll only go to waste.’

  ‘Okay if you’re sure.’ He shrugged on his coat, took the bag from her and opened the front door then leaned in to kiss her lightly on the cheek.

  She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tight. ‘Thank you again for the shoulder to cry on.’

  ‘Anytime, darling. As I said that’s what friends are for.’ He returned the affectionate squeeze and as she opened her eyes, her chin snuggled comfortably on his broad shoulder, she could hardly believe the sight in front of her and her heart almost stopped beating.

  ‘Blake,’ she said weakly. She watched as he stood at the bottom of the path, his pained eyes darted from her to Ged then back to her. She looked down and realised that her belt had come undone again so she quickly covered herself and tried to tie it in a double knot. Her eyes locked with Blake’s, she shook her head and knew it looked defensive. She also wanted to utter: “It’s not what it looks like,” but knew how clichéd that sounded. He stood still as though not quite being able to take in the scene.

  Ged had started walking down the side of the house where his van was parked. He looked back and asked her if she was okay. She nodded to him and gestured with her hand that he should go.

  ‘Don’t go on my account, mate.’ Blake handed her a paper bag ‘I asked Mrs Ashcroft if I could get into your mom’s house just to see if anything was left there.’ His voice was thick with something. Was it anger or jealousy? She waited for his face to break into the usual beautiful smile he wore whenever he saw her. It was normally involuntary and accompanied by eyes filled with love and warmth, but now they were filled with accusation and hurt. ‘I’ve got to go, bye Cami.’

  ‘Blake,’ she called, her voice croaky, as though she had forgotten how to talk. ‘Do you want to come in for a coffee?’ She faltered.

  ‘No, thanks. I need to get back to work.’

  He didn’t even look back as he strode down the path to his hire car, jumped in and drove off. Camilla slammed the door shut so hard that the windows rattled. Hot tears of frustration and hurt streamed down her cheeks. He had no right to be angry when he was the one who had left her feeling lost and abandoned once more. Just when she thought everything was going to be all right there was another hurdle to get over. Her phone beeped with an incoming text. She dived on her bag to retrieve it and rummaged through it with shaky hands. She could never find the phone in this bloody bag. Running out of patience she tipped it out over the coffee table. The contents spilled over the table and clattered to the floor. Typically the last thing to fall out was the phone. She hoped the message was from Blake but when she saw Ged’s number, she at least felt grateful that he cared.

  ‘I’m parked just further up your road in case you needed me. Have just seen him drive off, are you okay? Ged x’

  She quickly typed in a reply telling him she was fine.

  Chapter 25

  Organising the charity event for the homeless provided the perfect distraction and kept Camilla and most of her friends busy. The Signal Box Café had been booked for the night and all the tickets sold. A champagne reception and delicious hot buffet would be followed by a fun auction, whereupon guests were invited to bid for services that ranged from babysitting to gardening, photography to cake making.

  Having advertised in the local paper they had received a fantastic response from people who were keen to help. A dance would follow the auction and continue until the early hours. Many of the local businesses had provided goods and services for free and it promised to be a brilliant night, which should raise thousands for the charity. The organising along with the cakes she was constantly making ensured that Camilla slept at night regardless of any worries she might have. Since her appearance in the newspaper with Jackson her workload was getting heavier and heavier and she knew she needed help in the kitchen. After a conversation with Ged, he had suggested she meet with a friend of his who needed a job.

  At four o’clock precisely the doorbell at Cupcake Cottage rang and she answered the door to a pretty young woman holding a Quality Street tin in one hand and the hand of her young daughter in the other. Camilla flung the door open widely and welcomed them in.

  ‘Hi, you must be Angela,’ she addressed the woman, who nodded and released her daughter’s hand so she could shake Camilla’s. As she did so the little girl stamped her feet in protest at losing the comfort of her mummy’s hand and she wrapped her arm around her mum’s leg instead and gripped her little pink teddy tightly.

  Camilla bent down to her level and spoke kindly. ‘Hi, my name’s Camilla. What’s yours?’

  The little girl didn’t answer, instead hiding her face in her mum’s legs.

  ‘Don’t be silly, Tillie, say hello to the nice lady,’ Angela said as she tried to lift the little girl’s face up to see Camilla.

  ‘No don’t worry she’s fine. Anyway do come in. Are they your samples?’ She pointed to the tin in Angela’s arms.

  ‘Yes, they are.’ Angela looked nervously down at the tin before handing it over and walked into the cottage, dragging the leg with Tillie attached to it. She was very accomplished at doing so, which alerted Camilla to the fact that this was a regular occurrence. She beckoned them through to the dining room and sat them down so she could put the kettle on.

  A few minutes later when she came through with the tea tray she saw Tillie sitting on a chair of her own with some colouring books and coloured pencils. She was concentrating very hard as she scribbled on the page, her tongue sticking out and hair flopped over her eyes. Her mum unclipped the slide at the top of Tillie’s head, swept the errant wispy curls into it and clipped it shut again.

  Camilla set out the cups and poured the tea. Tillie had her own water bottle so hadn’t wanted anything else to drink.

  ‘So, tell me all about yourself,’ she said, placing a plate of her delicious lemon meringue cupcakes on the table between them all.

  Tillie’s eyes opened wide. The cupcakes were huge. She shook her head before looking down again, hiding her face with her hands when Camilla asked her if she would like one.

  ‘Yes please, I’d love one,’ replied Angela. Camilla placed one on the plate in front of her and another on Tillie’s plate.

  ‘I know you said you didn’t want one, Tillie, so this one’s for your teddy.’

  Tillie’s head shot up and she eyed up the cupcake again. She picked Teddy up from the chair next to her and sat him on the table in front of the cake where she proceeded to feed him with the spoon that Camilla had placed near the plate. As Teddy couldn’t manage much to eat, Tillie had polished off the remnants of every spoonful whilst Camilla and her mum talked.

  Angela picked the cup of tea up and sipped at it before speaking. ‘Not much to tell I’m afraid. I haven’t worked since I’ve had Tillie for various reasons, but one main one is
because we had to relocate due to the nature of the relationship I was in with her D. A. D.’ She spelt out the last word. Angela looked tearful so Camilla offered Tillie the chance to watch telly. She nodded shyly and allowed Camilla to lead her by the hand after first checking that her mum said it was okay, then she curled up quite contentedly with Teddy on Camilla’s sofa watching cartoons.

  Camilla rejoined Angela, placed a box of tissues on the table and they resumed their chat.

  ‘I used to work in a busy office before becoming pregnant with Tillie but my ex made me quit because he didn’t want “his woman being leched over by a bunch of pervs in an office”.’ She held her fingers up to represent quotation marks as she spoke then pulled a tissue from the box. ‘He eventually controlled my every movement and even punched the doctor who was helping me to give birth.’

  Camilla’s hand flew to her mouth as her jaw dropped open. She also took a tissue from the box as she absorbed Angela’s pain.

  ‘He was in and out of jail for violence and when he hit me in front of Tillie just six months ago, I knew I had to leave once and for all.’ She blew her nose, shrugged her shoulders as if to shake off her troubles and continued, her voice much stronger.

  ‘So now I just need a job that I can do around Tillie and when I saw Ged at the shelter he mentioned you were looking for someone to help you. I thought maybe I could help with the dishes or something. I’ll do anything. I’d really like to get out of the refuge we’re in and find a decent place to call home.’

  Angela’s determination to do the best for her child reminded Camilla of her mum working hard all her life and she immediately felt a bond with her.

  ‘I certainly need some help. I’m rushed off my feet these days as my business is growing so fast. It’ll only be a few hours at first but will progress as things get busier, so yes I’d like to offer you the job.’

  Angela shrieked, jumped off the chair and hugged Camilla hard.

  ‘Thank you so much; you won’t regret it I promise,’ she replied.

  ‘Oh wait, I forgot to taste your samples,’ said Camilla reaching for the tin.