‘My grandmother might not even want a lodger.’
Molly tilted her head, her eyes wide as she flashed a hopeful smile at Cam.
‘I’ll think about it … okay?’
‘That’s all I ask,’ she replied with a huge beam on her face. Cupping her hands around his face she planted the biggest kiss on his lips. ‘But I’m still intrigued to know what caused Lilian Allen to flee in the middle of the night.’
‘Maybe we should ask Martha,’ joked Cam.
‘Maybe we should ask her what recipe you’re going to bake for the competition.’
‘I’ve been thinking about this and I think I’m actually going to enter the Layers Treats recipe. Let’s see what reaction we get from Barney Miller, especially when he realises who I am.’
‘Very controversial,’ replied Molly.
‘But I don’t think Bree needs to know about the baking scandal from the past. It’s our business.’
‘Agreed,’ said Molly. ‘And let’s get George to bed tonight before we tell Bree about Lilian.’
‘Sounds like a good plan; she might be a little emotional.’
Indeed, Molly was already feeling somewhat emotional herself on Bree’s behalf, picturing her watching films and photographs of her mum that she’d never seen before.
‘Cam, I don’t like the thought of Bree going back to the shelter. She just fits in so easily here. Please, let’s ask Dixie what she thinks about having a lodger.’
‘I’ve told you I’ll think about it.’
‘But if there’s no need for her to go back to the shelter … and she’s already proved she has the skills to bake…’
Cam surrendered and held up his hands in defeat. ‘As you say, there’s no harm in asking Dixie, see what she thinks…’
‘I love you,’ Molly exclaimed, flinging her arms around his neck.
‘She might say no.’
That was something that Molly wasn’t even going to think about. She skipped towards the door.
‘Where are you going?’
‘To ask Dixie.’
Molly’s footsteps could already be heard pattering down the stairs.
‘I thoughtIwas going next door? I’ll take over the shop, then, shall I?’ Cam bellowed after her but there was no answer. He heard the back door slam before he finally got up off the bed.
Chapter Seventeen
‘Idon’t want to go to bed. It’s not fair!’ George stamped his foot and looked around the room. ‘I want to stay up with the grown-ups.’
Molly smiled at George. ‘I promise you, you can stay up as late you want when you are a proper grown-up.’ She placed her hands lightly on his shoulders and guided him towards Dixie. ‘Now give everyone a kiss and Daddy will read you a story.’
‘He’s so cute when he’s grumpy,’ remarked Bree, watching George with amusement as Cam lifted the boy clean off the floor and swung him over his shoulder. George was now dangling down the length of Cam’s back towards the floor, giggling uncontrollably as Cam made his way up the stairs.
‘I’m going to bring the drinks and nibbles in,’ declared Molly, disappearing into the kitchen and then returning with her hands full and placing everything down on the coffee table.
‘What are we watching?’ asked Bree, looking at the carrier bag at the side of Dixie’s chair.
Dixie glanced at Molly and the look didn’t go unnoticed by Bree.
