Page 75 of The Pop-Up Cake Shop

He nodded. ‘That’s true. It wouldn’t have to sound like I was asking her out on a date.’

‘It wouldn’t.’ I smiled. ‘Instead of avoiding her because you’re a bit shy, you should just talk to her and see what happens?’

‘Maybe.’ He still looked uncertain.

Suddenly, I spotted Judy herself, hurrying over to the van.

‘I thought I was going to miss you,’ she gasped, laughing and clasping her hand over her chest. ‘I haven’t run that fast since Woolworths were offering knock-down prices on Betamax video recorders!’

Bob laughed. ‘Ah, remember Betamax. I was a VHS person myself.’

‘Well, so was I. Eventually,’ grinned Judy. ‘Ooh, chocolate brownies. I’ll take four, please.’

‘Same order as Bob!’ I smiled as I popped the goodies into her paper bag.

‘Do you still have your video recorder?’ Bob asked her, and as I was serving another late customer, I was cheering him on inside.Yes!Keep going, Bob!

But after sending another pleased customer away with two large cheese and thyme scones, I realised the conversation between the two had dried up and Bob was about to say his goodbyes and walk off.

A plan formed in my mind. I had to act quickly.

‘Oh, no!’ I slapped my hand on my forehead. ‘I gave her the wrong change.’ I stared after the customer who’d just left. Then I turned back. ‘Listen, would you both look after the van for me while I run after her?’

Looking a little surprised, of course they agreed, and I dashed off after the unsuspecting customer. Luckily, after a while she turned right into another street and disappeared from view, so I was able to lurk at the corner out of sight of Judy and Bob, and observe what was happening back at the van.

It was looking good. Bob was essentially a prisoner now, so he washavingto talk to her. And with a bit of luck, after my pep talk, maybe he’d pluck up the courage to ask Judy the million-dollar question...

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The following week seemed to drag, and I eventually realised I was subconsciously waiting for Wednesday so that I might see Caleb again.

I plopped down on the sofa with a sigh.

What a saddo I was, desperate for a glimpse of a man who was completely unattainable because a certain Loretta person had already dug her beautifully manicured claws into him!

But I was longing to talk to Caleb, mainly to find out how he really felt about Loretta. Because there was a tiny part of me that actually doubted that he could be that keen on her if it had been so easy to take me into his bed. It was becoming increasingly obvious to me that Caleb was a kind and caring man. So why would he do that to Loretta if they really were getting back together?

I needed answers.

So on the Wednesday, I dressed in my best feel-good outfit and I made sure I arrived at the Lockley Meadow market ten minutes early. I would find Caleb, get the answers to my questions and then I’d be able to get on with my life instead of constantly wondering...

But when I walked over to Ivan on-site and asked where Caleb was because I needed a word, he grinned and pointed up at the roof of the house we were standing next to. And when I looked up, I immediately recognised the blue-jean rear view of the man up the ladder, apparently examining one of the gutter pipes.

‘Someone to see you, boss,’ called Ivan.

Caleb looked down with a frown. ‘Katja. What is it? I’m a bit busy just now.’ His gruff tone matched his disgruntled expression, and I was half-tempted to just walk away. This wasn’t the reception I’d been hoping for.

But I’d come this far, so . . .

‘I... well, it’s a bit awkward, really,’ I called up, not quite knowing where to start, especially with Ivan loitering there, all agog for gossip. The noise of a drill started up somewhere on the site, hammering into my head.

‘Sorry? You’ll have to speak up,’ called Caleb, twisting round on the ladder and still looking none too pleased about the interruption.

I gave Ivan my best hard stare, and to my relief he grinned at me and sauntered off.

The drilling stopped so I took my chance. ‘I was... well, I was wondering if what Loretta told me was true.’

‘Ifwhatwas true?’

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