With a history like ours we were never going to be best friends; there will always be a chasm between us that can never be crossed. And being forced together in the flat is like bringing the same poles together on magnets – the proximity only increases the force that drives us apart.
And I’m really not one to hold a grudge. In my normal life I prefer to make the best of even the most difficult situations and move on in a positive way. But with Ross it’s as if he’s hanging onto the darkest parts of his past, feeding on the negativity. Knowing he’s still harbouring so much venom and animosity towards me has not just made me defensive; it’s changed how I feel towards him too. Before this I’d lost all respect for him and was happy to pretend he didn’t exist. But now I’d secretly like to flatten him. Which is why it’s especially hard having him around this evening.
As I stare past his muscled forearms to the car I appreciate he’s working like an actual removal man here entirely for my benefit, but Sophie pushed him into it, not me. Despite already making a massive number of journeys to the kitchen that’s my temporary base for tonight, the boot still seems as rammed as a student’s on their way to uni. It’s a few cupcakes, so why the hell is most of Clemmie’s flat here with me? I meant to stick to one word only, but I’m suddenly doubting myself.
‘I’ve brought too much, haven’t I?’
‘I didn’t say that.’ He drops his eyes for a second, then his face breaks into a grin. ‘You’ll soon learn what you can leave behind. Next time you can bring a half-size removal lorry, not a full-sized one. Come on, let’s get this lot in.’
I let out a groan. ‘Saxifrage Cottage may be about to burst.’
‘Or it could just fall into the sea due to being overloaded with every kind of spatula known to man.’ He pushes open the door and glances back over his shoulder. ‘I’ll re-park the car, then once you’ve sorted out what you need I’ll hide the rest away.’ At least that way the paying customers might not notice.
Luckily for me the mermaids have kept their word and delivered a kitchen with a huge wow factor. Beyond the frontage the cottage is like a Tardis, and the living room opens out onto a wide extension at the back with a smooth limestone floor, windows onto the sky and views across the bay.
The last couple of days, as I baked a hundred one’s-I-made-earlier cupcakes, practised my delivery non-stop and made an extra effort to look good, I’ve mostly been preoccupied with dodging Ross. But now I’m here and the fear is freezing my brain, it’s hitting me that I should have worried more.
I smile at Chloé, the host and cottage owner, who’s hugging the wall and looking as terrified as me. ‘What a fabulous kitchen. I love your hanging plant holders.’ From the on-trend pea-coloured units, it has to be new.
Chloé gives a shy shrug. ‘The macramé is done by a local woman. She sells on the St Aidan For Sale and Wanted Group on Facebook.’
Plum gives me a nudge as she passes. ‘You should take a look on there, it’s a treasure trove.’
Chloé pulls a face. ‘I’m afraid the kitchen hasn’t had much use. I don’t want to sound like a cliché, but it’s usually meals-for-one in the microwave.’
Nell gives a chortle. ‘Cressy will christen it in style.’ Then she shoves me into the utility and hisses in my ear. ‘Chloé’s one of our more difficult-to-place singles, we’re counting on a complete change of mood and pace to work wonders for her tonight.’
I let out a cry. ‘You’re using this evening formatchmaking?’
Nell puts a finger to her lips, reminding me to keep my voice down. ‘Not everyone’s as happy on their own as you are. For anyone lonely who would rather be a couple, every social interaction is an opportunity.’ Clemmie wasn’t exaggerating when she wrote about Nell being a singles-club evangelist, then. Nell beckons me closer. ‘We think Chloé may like Gavin. So anything you can do to help that along…’
More fool me for thinking people were coming because they wanted to learn to make cupcakes. And I know I was desperate to stay independent, but I’m hugely grateful that Diesel is safe, watching TV with George round at Nell’s place.
With so much still to do it’s also a relief that Sophie’s the one trying to prise words out of a very reticent Chloé while Nell puts the fizz in the dedicated wine fridge and sorts the glasses. As I set up my mixer and get out my bowls and ingredients Plum’s filling the tiered cake stand and arranging Clemmie’s pretty, mismatched plates opposite the six stools already around the island unit.
Then Ross comes in and whisks everything I don’t need off to the utility room. He stops by the bank of ovens as he comes back in. ‘You’ll be wanting both of the big ones on. What temperature would you like?’
‘A hundred and sixty, please.’ I already noticed the fan symbol on them.
Millie’s not here tonight, but I can still see her standing right behind Ross giving me an ‘Isn’t he a treasure?’ thumbs up. What’s more, with everyone rushing around it’s completely possible that without his prompt I’d have forgotten to pre-heat. I shudder at how that would have wrecked my schedules, but there’s no time to think because the ship’s bell outside the front door is already ringing with the first guest.
Nell glances at her watch and raises her eyebrows at me. ‘Ten minutes early shows how much they’re looking forward to it!’
Plum waltzes over to me. ‘I think you’re all set.’ She flaps some fabric out from behind her back. ‘Here you go, your very own pink and white stripy apron for our St Aidan version of Cressy.’
Shit, how did I forget my apron? I slip the new one over my head and push my pile of cue cards in the pocket, thinking that’s something else I need to add to my early-warning checklist for next time, as well as turning the oven on. Then as I look down at my front I notice a plain patch of fabric with embroidered writing.
Plum grins at me. ‘Cressy Cupcake at The Little Cornish Kitchen.We hope that’s okay for you?’
I’m swallowing hard as I squeeze Plum’s hand. ‘Thank you, it’s perfect.’
Sophie’s behind me, straightening the collar of my red flowery dress as she ties my apron strings and frees my hair. ‘And you’re perfect too, Cressy! Be your very wonderful self and you’ll knock them off their stools.’
And then it’s happening! The guests – Gavin, Tash, Harry, Fi and Josh – are clambering up into their places around the island unit with Chloé, and I’m standing at the end telling them how lovely it is to see them. Then I say, ‘I’m Cressida Cupcake, I’m here with The Little Cornish Kitchen bringing the baking love to St Aidan.’ As I stop to gasp for air I catch sight of my white knuckles. ‘Tonight I’m going to show you how to make cupcakes, so would anyone like a drink while you’re watching?’ As I carry on my echoing voice sounds slightly more like my own and I dare to let go of the hammered metal work surface.
And that’s it. Nell hands round the fizz, Plum follows her giving out mini cupcake tasters and I’m straight into weighing and mixing and giving my running commentary. And I already know from Kittiwake Court that the minute they start to join in with some banter I’ll be fine from there. Except they don’t join in. Where there should be a clamour of questions and comments it’s more silent than a Latin class. I send them a beam.
‘How about an ice-breaker whilst I beat the butter and sugar together! Favourite cupcakes, anyone?’
