Page 81 of The Pop-Up Cake Shop

He looked so comical walking along and shouting into that old antique loud hailer of his that I burst out laughing.

‘What on earth’s going on, Ivan?’ I demanded with an embarrassed smile because everyone was staring at us.

‘I’ve been wanting an excuse to try this thing out.’ Grinning, he held up the weird contraption. ‘It works pretty well, don’t you think?’

‘It does. But why do I need to report to the portacabin?’

Was this something to do with Caleb? He seemed to conduct meetings in there, although I preferred not to think about how long he was closeted in there with Loretta the previous Wednesday...

Ivan shrugged. ‘Actually, you don’t. I made up the bit about reporting to the portacabin. No, I was just wondering if you’d like that tour of the eco house that I promised you?’

‘Oh.’ My heart sank a little.

‘You did say you usually had some spare time before going on to Primrose Wood?’

‘Yes. I... normally have a bite to eat in a lay-by on the way.’ I shrugged and smiled. He looked so hopeful. ‘I suppose I could eat my sandwich as you’re showing me around?’

‘Lunch is all taken care of.’

‘It is?’

What did a builder’s lunch consist of? Doorstep meat sandwiches, probably. (Now who was being sexist.)

‘Yup. So I’ll meet you back at the site when you’re finished here?’

‘Okay. Two minutes.’

I felt bad for wishing it could be Caleb showing me around the eco house. Ivan was doing his best and he’d definitely grown on me. He always made me laugh.

But where was Caleb today? Off with Loretta somewhere, probably.

I finished packing up the van then drove it over to the site and luckily, there was a parking space nearby. Ivan had abandoned the loud hailer, thankfully, and was waiting for me at the entrance.

‘Come on. Lunch is ready and you haven’t got much time.’ He set off, his long legs striding over the distance so fast, I had to keep breaking into a little run to try and keep up with him.

He walked right past the showhouse, which I thought was a bit weird, and we finally stopped outside another house, which was furthest from the entrance to the site.

The front door was slightly ajar.

Ivan ushered me straight inside. ‘This is the kitchen,’ he said, walking down the hallway and pushing open a door at the end. ‘Lunch first, tour after. The chef has been very busy.’

‘Thechef?’ I breathed in the delicious herby aroma filling the room and felt my tummy rumble in response. A pan on the hob was covered with a lid and two plates were laid out with cutlery alongside. ‘Crikey, Ivan, is this how you greetallthe people who come to look at these houses?’

He chuckled. ‘No. The boss is very particular about who he cooks for.’

‘Theboss?’ I stared at him. Then, hearing someone coming in the front door, I swung round just as Caleb walked in.

‘Katja, hi. Sorry, I meant to be here but my meeting ran over.’ He looked a bit distracted. Not his usual calm self at all. ‘Thanks, Ivan.’

‘No problem.’ He winked at me and melted away.

‘So... have you got time for some lunch?’ Caleb looked at me rather sheepishly, and I suddenly realised he was nervous.

‘Er, yes. That would be lovely,’ I said, bewildered. I felt as if I’d walked into another dimension.What on earth was going on?

Caleb removed the pan lid and my gaze fell on what looked like two homemade burgers with mozzarella cheese melted on top. He removed the lid of another dish to reveal two split burger buns. ‘All the trimmings?’ he asked. ‘Tomato, lettuce, mayo, jalapeno peppers?’

‘Er, yes to everything, please.’

---