Page 40 of The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery

‘Right,’ Maddie says, moving two empty mixing bowls and shoving them into the sink. She grabs a cloth and begins cleaning the work surface, before throwing the cloth down again and saying, ‘Actually, I think we’d better do this in the front room.’

Louise follows her and they sit down at the table in the window. Maddie has a cardboard folder in her hands and an expression on her face that Louise recognises; her stepdaughter used to look exactly like this when she brought something home from school that she was particularly proud of.

Maddie opens the folder, and spreads its contents across the table. ‘What d’you think?’

Louise gasps. Maddie has created a whole collection of pencil sketches, some in black and white, others with splashes of soft colour. They’re like illustrations from a children’s storybook, the kind that make you want to step inside the page.

The first shows the garden from above, viewed from the kitchen window of the flat. Half a dozen small structures are scattered throughout, each one painted in subtle, muted shades – duck egg blue, soft sage green, dusty pink, faded cream. They remind Louise of beach huts that have been weathered by salty winds. Bunting zigzags between them, and tiny dots of light suggest fairy lights or lanterns. At the back, Maddie has sketched the river with loose, flowing lines, and a small bridge arching over it.

‘Maddie, this is…’ Louise can’t find the words. ‘This is… amazing. Incredible.’

‘Look at this one.’ Maddie gestures towards a second picture, showing the garden from ground level, with golden light filtering through the trees. Small tables and chairs beside the river. Jam jars with candles sit on each table, and wildflowers spill from vintage teapots. It’s the type of place you’d see on Instagram and immediately want to visit.

‘And I did some interiors. Look.’ Maddie shuffles the pictures around a little, so different ones are on the top. She’s drawn several different book nooks, each with its own character. One has floor-to-ceiling bookshelves crammed with books, two armchairs facing each other, a small table between them. Another has a window seat with cushions, throws draped over the back, books stacked on the floor. A third has bean bags and fairy lights strung across the ceiling. They look cosy. Inviting. Spaces where you’d want to curl up and lose yourself in a story.

‘Maddie,’ Louise says quietly. ‘These are incredible. I mean, you were always good at art at school, but I had no idea you could draw like this.’

Maddie shrugs, but she’s clearly pleased. ‘I used to think I’d like to be an artist but Dad wasn’t exactly encouraging. Anyway. I haven’t done much lately. But once I started today, I couldn’t stop. Once I saw it in my head, I had to get it down on paper. Here’s the Love Shack. Otherwise known as the romance section of the bookshop.’

Louise looks at the drawing Maddie is indicating. Another cosy interior, with subtle shades of pink. A cream love seat with rose-coloured throw and a heart-shaped cushion. Two bookshelves in the background, one with chilli pepper fairy lights across the top, the other with roses.

‘I love this,’ Louise says. ‘It’s perfect.’

This isn’t her original dream. This isn’t sleek and modern, glass and steel. This is a million times better. It’s unique. It’s much more Applethwaite. And it’s much more Louise too.

This is the kind of place that people would talk about to their friends. That would make customers feel like they’d discovered a secret.

‘I feel silly now,’ Louise says. ‘This is exactly what Jack was suggesting, but until you showed me these, I couldn’t picture it.’

‘Yep,’ Maddie says cheerfully. ‘I think you’d better call him.’

Louise pulls out her phone, then hesitates. ‘What do I even say? “Sorry I sacked you because I was too scared to try something different?”’

‘Yeah, you should definitely start with an apology. Then perhaps admit you were wrong and ask him to come back and be your architect?’

‘Good plan.’

Louise is scrolling through her contacts when there’s a knock at the door. Both women turn. Through the glass they can see Jack, holding the mug in one hand and what looks like a portfolio under his other arm.

Louise opens the door.

‘I, um, brought the mug back,’ Jack says eventually.

‘Thank you.’ Louise takes it from him, their fingers brushing. ‘I was just about to ring you.’

‘Oh?’

‘Yes, I wanted to apologise.’

‘It’s fine. Really. I get it. You want someone who gets your vision. But before you make up your mind, I wanted you to see…’ He stops mid-sentence, his gaze catching on the drawings spread across the table. He steps inside, moving closer. ‘Are these…?’

‘I was just messing about,’ Maddie says. ‘Trying to show Louise what I thought you meant when you described your idea. So she could see that your sheds are really book nooks. Gorgeous little book nooks!’

Jack picks up one of Maddie’s drawings, studying it carefully. A smile spreads across his face – the first genuine one Louise has seen from him this morning. ‘Book nooks! I love it! I’d like to pretend that this is what I envisaged, but it’s way better. The colours, the bunting, the way each space has its own character. This is…’ He looks up at Maddie. ‘You’re really talented. Have you thought about doing this for a job? These look like illustrations in a children’s book.’

Maddie blushes. ‘Thanks, Jack. I did want to be an artist, but Dad said there was no money in it.’

‘Fathers,’ Jack says, and there’s a touch of venom in his voice. ‘They should really let their kids get on with what they want to do.’