Page 110 of The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery

Anna wrinkles her nose. ‘You just like uniforms.’

‘Nah,’ Maddie says. ‘It’s the chiselled chin. And the broad shoulders. And the dog.’

‘Okay, enough,’ Louise says.

She notices that behind Sheila and the handsome policeman are two of her other authors, Diane Kellaway and Zara Okonkwo. And behind them are Carrie and Roisin from Austen and Green. Her old colleagues. What are they doing here?

She stands frozen to the spot. Her past is about to meet her present. This is going to be… awkward. After the way she walked out.

Only it isn’t awkward. Sheila hugs her, introduces the policeman and the dog but Louise fails to catch the policeman’s name again because she’s too distracted, and then one by one, the authors and her former colleagues hug her and tell her they missed her, and doesn’t the bookshop bakery look lovely and they can’t wait to see inside, but she’s much missed as an editor and if it doesn’t work out…

‘Of course it’ll work out,’ Sheila says quickly.

‘Yes, of course,’ Zara says. ‘It looks incredible.’

‘Wait till you see the book nooks!’ Louise says. ‘They’re the best thing. My stepdaughter Maddie has created the most gorgeous interiors.’

A ripple of excitement passes through the crowd of locals.

‘That’s Sheila Penhaligon,’ someone whispers.

‘And Diane Kellaway, and isn’t that Zara… I can’t remember her surname.’

‘Three real-life authors here in Applethwaite!’

A photographer from the local paper arrives and starts snapping away.

Louise hands Sheila the scissors and says, ‘I think it’s time.’

Sheila stands in position beside the door. ‘Welcome everyone, to the grand opening of the Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery. For those who don’t know, I’m Sheila Penhaligon, author of the O’Leary and Thor series of books, amongst others, and Louise was my editor for many, many years. And a brilliant editor she was too. I owe much of my success to her. We authors were all very sad when she made the decision to leave publishing…’

Made the decision? Legged it like a frightened rabbit, more like, Louise thinks.

‘…but we’re very excited that she’s opening this gorgeous bookshop and can’t wait to see our books on the shelves. We wish her every success. Now, without further ado, I’m going to cut the ribbon. I have always wanted to do this – it makes me feel like a real celebrity!’

There’s a titter of laughter.

Louise focuses on the blades of the scissors, wanting to preserve forever in her mind the exact moment when the broad pink ribbon is cut. It’s over in a second, the two ends dangling on either side of the doorway. And then Sheila opens the door and steps inside, and everyone follows.

Inside, Louise finds herself surrounded by excited people. She battles her way towards the kitchen to collect the trays of canapés, hearing snatches of conversation as she goes.

One of the Geriatric Mean Girls saying, ‘I can’t quite believe that little Louise Dearnley has pulled this off.’

Her mother saying, ‘I always knew she’d come and work in the bakery one day.’

‘Bookshop bakery,’ Louise murmurs under her breath.

And Richard saying to someone, ‘My son built all of these shelves. Such craftsmanship! He’s an architect really, but he enjoys being a bit more hands-on from time to time.’

She shakes her head.

As she hurries out of the kitchen with two trays of canapes, Theo appears from the back door. ‘Oh, did I miss the ribbon cutting?’

‘Yes, you did,’ she says crossly. ‘Now make yourself useful and hand these round.’ She thrusts one of the trays into his hands.

‘Like a waiter?’

‘Yes, exactly like a waiter. Polite and convivial with a smile on your face. Oh, and don’t let anyone take more than three at a time. It’s a little snack. They’re not here for their tea.’ She sees the puzzled look on his face and adds, ‘Dinner. Supper. Evening meal. Whatever you want to call it. They call it tea round here.’