Page 38 of The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery

‘I thought I’d come and clear the air after last night,’ he says. ‘How are you, Louise?’

‘Tired,’ she says. ‘You?’

‘I’m tired too. I didn’t sleep much.’

‘Coffee?’

‘Cappuccino please.’

‘Coming right up.’

She turns away from him, pops a mug under the coffee machine, and reaches into the fridge for the milk. She didn’t sleep much either, running over the options in her mind. Go with Jack and his sheds idea. Ask him to come up with a design for the big glass extension that she really wants but, according to him, probably can’t afford. Or find another architect. Far easier to reject an idea if you don’t know – and like – the person who’s come up with it.

Yes, finding another architect is definitely the best option.

She pours the frothy milk onto the top of his coffee and turns back to him. ‘Chocolate?’

‘Please.’

Focusing on the chocolate shaker, she says, ‘Jack, I’ve been thinking. I don’t want this to be awkward.’

‘Me neither.’

‘But I feel we’re on different pages – in a completely different book even – with our ideas for this place.’

‘We are, but—’

‘And I think really it would be better if I found someone else for the job.’

‘Oh.’ Jack looks shocked. ‘I wasn’t expecting that.’

‘It’s just that—’

‘No, no. You don’t have to explain. It’s your money, Louise.’

‘Well, my mother’s really but…’

Jack looks at his watch. ‘Could I possibly have that coffee to go?’

‘To go?’

‘To take out.’

Louise looks round wildly. ‘I don’t have takeaway cups.’

‘Then I could take it in this mug, and bring it back later.’

‘Sure. Listen, I hope there’s no hard feelings. I just think that this might be—’

‘No hard feelings. You know, on reflection, it’s probably better you get someone else anyway. You see, I…’ He pauses.

Louise waits expectantly, but whatever Jack was about to say, he seems to think better of it.

‘You know, it doesn’t matter. Thanks for the coffee.’ He puts four pound coins on the counter, then turns away, coffee in hand, almost bumping into Maddie in the doorway.

‘I wondered when you were going to surface,’ Louise says.

‘Yeah, well, I didn’t sleep.’