Page 32 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

‘Yikes!’ Hannah placed a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh.

‘Put it this way, Darryl would be walking very gingerly for several months.’ The two women gave in to their giggles.

‘Now that I’d like to see. But, in all seriousness, I appreciate you doing that for me.’

‘Right, now we’ve got that out of the way, I know I mentioned us getting together over cake and a cuppa, but feel free to choose whatever you fancy. I’m not sure how peckish you are. Oh, and there’s a specials board over by the counter and a display of cakes as well which, having a sweet tooth, I can highly recommend.’

Hannah took the proffered menu, scanning it with interest. ‘Wow, there’s all sorts on here.’ Reading all the delicious-sounding descriptions she felt suddenly famished, with the chicken and pesto open sandwich on sourdough drawing her attention. From the description, she saw it came with an array of salad and accompaniments as well as a portion of twice-cooked chips. The mere thought was making her salivate, but she didn’t want to dive in and get anything too substantial if Florrie was just going to opt for cake.

‘You know what? I’m starving, so I think I’m going to go for the coronation chicken open sandwich with all the trimmings, and I’m even going to indulge in something sweet afterwards. In fact, there’s a piece of salted caramel brownie with my name on it,’ Florrie said, helping Hannah with her decision. ‘Jasmine makes them – did I mention she’s a professional celebration cake maker and designer?’

‘I don’t think you did.’

‘Ah, well, she’s super-talented. She makes the wedding cakes for Danskelfe Castle – Lady Carolyn Hammondeley from there actually headhunted her. Jasmine’s creations are amazing, you should have a look at her Instagram photos. Anyroad, we get a baking tray of her homemade brownies delivered fresh every day, and let me tell you, they’re wickedly good.’

‘In that case, I’m going to have to try a slice.’ Hannah laughed, just as a server came to take their order.

When she’d gone, Florrie popped her elbow on the table, rested her chin on her hand and said, ‘So, how’s things with you after your trip to see Mr Cuthbert?’

Hannah noted the kindness in the other woman’s eyes had made a reappearance. ‘I’m good, thanks. Way better than I was last week – I’m really sorry about the tears and looking like such a snotty mess; you didn’t catch me at my best!’ She felt her cheeks flush at the memory.

‘Hey, there’s no need to apologise.’ Florrie reached across the table and rubbed the back of Hannah’s hand in a friendly gesture. ‘We’ve all been there. I cried buckets when my bosses here passed away – d’you remember Mr and Mrs H?’

Hannah nodded. ‘’Course, they were a lovely couple, always really friendly and welcoming.’

‘They were, they were like grandparents to me. I adored them. Mrs Harte passed away a few years before Mr Harte and he missed her terribly – it was heartbreaking to see. I reckon that’s why he filled his empty days trying to play cupid with Ed and me.’ Florrie smiled at the memory.

‘Is that how you got together?’

‘It is. And it’s him who bequeathed us the bookshop, which hasn’t gone down well in certain quarters, namely Ed’s parents, but that’s a story for another day. They’ve gone quiet for the moment, for which we’re both enormously grateful.’

Hannah got the sense there was a bit of a story behind that, but felt it wasn’t right to dig further. ‘That actually resonates with me.’

‘It does?’ Florrie looked surprised.

‘Mm. It’s the reason I’ve had appointments with Mr Cuthbert. My aunt’s will has thrown up quite a few surprises, or maybe shocks would be a better word – certainly for some people anyway, me included.’

‘Well, if it would feel better to get it off your chest, I’m happy to listen. I know you were fine with me telling the lasses about what had happened with your parents, but if you’d rather I kept the stuff about your aunt’s will a secret, then you have my word I won’t say anything to anyone.’ Florrie leant in, peering at her through her glasses as she spoke softly. ‘You have no idea how many secrets I keep for other people at any one time! Regulars often call in to pour their hearts out, and I’m always happy to listen if it helps. Oh, and I should say, Mr Cuthbert is a brilliant, well-respected solicitor. He drafted Mr H’s will and the various documents relating to it, which I’m aware was pretty complicated. He’ll have made sure everything is above board and watertight.’

‘That’s good to know.’ Hannah had a flashback of Mr Cuthbert having a chuckle at her aunt’s description of his work. She paused, contemplating Florrie’s offer of lending an ear. ‘I’ve got a horrible feeling things are about to kick off – in fact, I think it’s probably started already.’

‘You mean with Darryl and his calls to you?’

‘Yeah.’ She went on to describe the situation regarding the ownership of Midsummer Haven.

Florrie’s expression grew increasingly concerned as Hannah spoke. ‘Wow! I had no idea it hadn’t gone to Polly. I just assumed it must’ve gone to her after your dad passed away, with them being married – not that I gave it much thought, to be honest, or any, for that matter.’

‘I assumed the same thing, which is why it’s come as such a shock. But that’s not all, there’s a fair bit of⁠—’

Hannah was cut off by the server who’d returned with a pot of tea and a brace of cups and saucers in mismatched vintage china. ‘Your food won’t be long,’ the woman said with a friendly smile as she set everything out.

‘Thanks, Sue,’ said Florrie.

When Sue had gone Hannah continued while Florrie poured the tea. ‘As I was saying, there’s quite a bit of property included in my aunt’s estate. Some of it’s a bit bizarre for want of a better word. It’s filled my thoughts since I found out and I keep chopping and changing my mind about whether I should sell it or whether I should hang on to it.’ She kept to herself that her aunt had made a certain request about one of the properties, how it had set her mind whirring.

‘Sounds like you’ve got a lot to think about.’ With the tea poured into the cups, Florrie nudged the milk jug in Hannah’s direction. ‘Milk?’

‘Thanks.’ Hannah picked it up and added a dash to her cup before passing it back to Florrie. ‘Actually, speaking of Darryl, when I mentioned his name last week, I kind of got the feeling you’re not his biggest fan – it’s not a criticism and I hope you don’t mind me bringing it up. I’m just curious, that’s all; wondered if there was anything more than what you said when we FaceTimed the other night.’