special apricot, brandy and almond tray bake for you, Arthur, and I’ve done some doggie biscuits for Daisy too.’ She handed him his boxes.
‘Oh, my dear girl, you shouldn’t have! My favourite! And Daisy will love hers too.’
‘Chocolate and marshmallow for you, Zoe. Natch!’
‘Natch!’ Zoe answered and took her cake. ‘Thanks, Mil, that’s ace. Think Mum might nick a bit of this.’
‘She’s more than welcome.’
‘And Sean, I hope you don’t mind sharing but I’ve made you all some cupcakes. I know Tessa and the boys like them too.’
Sean took his box, then put it back down on the table and enveloped Millie in a bear hug. ‘Thanks so much, Millie,’ he whispered in a voice gruff with emotion. ‘What Mum did to you was wrong. I told her, you know. I’m dead against this new job.’
For the first time Millie could see what Zoe saw in him. Letting him hug her in his scrawny grip for a second, she fought against tears. ‘Thank you, Sean. I appreciate that.’
Millie picked up the last boxes and handed them to Zoe. ‘Scones with cream and jam for Biddy and shortbread for Elvis. Could you get them to her?’
‘No prob. Sean and I will drop them off on the way home.’
‘Thanks, Zoe, and thank you all so much.’
‘Yeah yeah, we get the picture,’ Zoe said, stopping the mood getting maudlin. ‘What does Biddy always say about people who cry too much?’
‘Eyes too near the bladder,’ Arthur supplied.
‘That’s it. She wants to see you, Granddad, by the way. I think flowers are the order of the day, don’t you? Come on,’ she slipped an arm through his. ‘We can order them online. Next-day delivery and she’ll be made up. After you’ve said sorry, of course.’
‘Zoe, my girl,’ Arthur laughed. ‘How did you get so wise so young?’
‘Dunno,’ she replied wide-eyed. ‘It’s just a genius talent I have.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘Or good genes.’ With Sean trailing in their wake, carrying the mountain of cake boxes, they wandered off in the direction of the promenade. As they went, Millie could hear Zoe instructing Arthur on just how best to win Biddy round.
‘Well, Emilia Fudge,’ said Jed coming to her and slipping his arms around her. ‘I think this weekend has been a success.’
Glancing into the café and then refocusing on him, she agreed, ‘Well, Jed Henville, I think you might just be right.’
The kiss that followed was as sweet and satisfying as any of the cakes she baked.
Sweeter.
‘Can you stay for supper tonight?’ Millie tried to keep it light, not wanting to seem desperate. She’d kept the hurt that Tessa had inflicted to herself all day. Had been too busy to dwell on it, but now all the work was finished, she felt the tension in her shoulders soften and, with it, a need for human comfort. The tears threatened a return.
‘I think that’s an offer I can’t resist.’ Jed grinned boyishly. ‘And of course I’m –’
‘Starving. Of course you are!’ She laughed. ‘Taken as a given. Reaching up, she tweaked a long lock of hair that flopped over his tanned face. ‘You have the most fetching streak of white paint.’
Jed pulled a face. ‘Do I?’
‘And another smudge of it on your nose.’ Millie reached up to kiss it.
‘I might need to borrow your shower.’
‘I think that can be arranged.’
He followed her up to the flat, with Trevor weaving between their legs and getting in the way.
Millie unlocked the door and, feeling self-conscious, led him into the sitting room. It must be very different to the places he was used to. She needn’t have worried. Jed went straight to the window and stood, hands on hips, drinking in the view.
‘What a fantastic place to live!’ He turned to her, eyes alight. ‘You look right out over the sea. You must never tire of it.’
Millie joined him. It was true. She nodded. ‘The view’s never the same two days running. But I love it best in the winter when it’s stormy.’
Jed put his arm loosely around her shoulders. ‘I can imagine. Do the storms ever reach you up here?’
‘They can do. I’ve had one or two windows smashed by pebbles thrown up by the sea. It’s not much of a sacrifice to live here, though.’
‘I can see why you love it so.’ Jed turned her to him and pulled her closer. His mouth found hers and his hand cupped her breast.
She pushed him away. Reluctantly. Much as she wanted this man, she needed a shower first. ‘I’ll sort you out some towels.’
Jed nodded but the desire in his eyes was unmistakable. ‘And then food. I’ve an idea I’ll need all my stamina for later.’
Millie went first, leaving Jed engrossed in the news on TV. While he showered, she frowned over the meagre contents of her kitchen cupboards and wondered what to cook.
When Jed emerged, with wet hair and smelling of her almond-blossom shower gel, she nearly jumped on him there and then. Practicalities won by a nose.
‘Just salad and some new potatoes, I’m afraid,’ she explained, as they sat at her tiny table in the kitchen. ‘But I’ve made some mango chicken to go with it.’ She tried to concentrate on the food and failed. Jed looked gorgeous with his hair damp and curling around his collar. The thought of all that clean, tanned skin under his shirt and chinos was making her weak with desire.
‘Sounds great. And we’ve cake for pudding!’ Jed was obviously only thinking of one type of hunger.
‘Oh yes, your sponge cake. Hope it’s okay. I rather threw them together late last night.’
‘It’ll be perfect,’ Jed declared confidently. ‘Everything you touch is perfect.’
Millie laughed, embarrassed. ‘Not sure about that.’
He reached over and took her hand. ‘It’s true,’ he said, simply, gazing into her eyes.
They knew what was coming. The promise of it vibrated in the air. Thrummed between them. And they both knew that the longer they deferred it, the sweeter it would taste.
‘I’ll open some wine, shall I?’ he added.
Millie couldn’t speak. Could barely breathe. Was hollowed out with desire for the man. She managed a nod.
He
