Page 45 of The Pop-Up Cake Shop

I glanced across at her. She looked pale today and her eyes were puffy. ‘You must be worn out, though.’

‘A bit.’ She gave a huge yawn. ‘But I’ll catch up on sleep at some point.’

‘You didn’t need to come on today’s cake run, you know. I’m sure I could have managed it myself.’

‘I know. But to be honest, I’m really enjoying coming out with you.’ She grinned. ‘I think even when you’re doing it yourself on a regular basis, I might still join you on the odd Wednesday.’

I nodded, pleased. ‘That would be great.’

‘We’re organising a little housewarming party, by the way. I’ll let you know as soon as we’ve decided on a date. It’ll just be for a few close friends and family, though. Nothing big.’

‘Sounds lovely. I can’t wait to see what the house looks like all renovated and with all your furniture in. What about your mum’s china? I was going to help you with that.’

She nodded. ‘The guys moved practically everything out of the rented house apart from the dresser and all the plates and cups and saucers displayed on it. We’ve got the rental for another two weeks so I can take my time getting it all packed up.’

‘What about tonight after the cake run? I’m not doing anything. I could pack while you direct proceedings.’

‘Really? You wouldn’t mind helping?’

‘Of course not. I said I would. But are you prepared to trust me with that precious china?’

She laughed. ‘I think so. But honestly, Katja, it’s been on my mind that I really need to get it done. It would be brilliant if I could get it out of the way.’

‘Right. Let’s do it tonight, then.’

‘Great!’

We drove along in silence for a while, then I brought her up to speed on what had happened when Mo and Dot joined our charity run training session the day before.

‘It certainly took my mind off Richard and how miserable I’ve been feeling about the break-up. That Mo isfierce!’

Ellie chuckled. ‘Do you think she’ll be waiting for the cake van to arrive?’

‘I doubt it. She’s probably nursing a massive hangover this morning. She didn’t drink any water on the run and then she went straight onto the double vodkas in the pub. She must have had three in the space of an hour. Her friend Dot was driving.’

‘What’s Dot like?’

‘Quiet. The opposite of Mo. I really liked her.’

Sure enough, when we arrived at Henley Green, while there was a queue of about ten people waiting for us – some of them brand new customers (the word was obviously spreading) – Mo was nowhere to be seen.

At Risley Common, though, two faces that were very familiar to us by now were there in the queue: Rosie and her little girl, Amelie.

As we served the waiting people, I was aware that Rosie was deliberately hanging back. Once we’d waved the last customer off with their cakes in a box, she delved into the bag that washanging over the pushchair handles and produced what looked like two takeaway cartons topped with lids.

Flushing slightly, she smiled and said, ‘You’ve been so kind to us, I wondered if you might like to try my latest recipe – it’s Thai curry. I used chicken thighs, which are cheaper than the breast, and I slow-cooked them with lots of lovely garlic and ginger and spices.’

‘Oh, wow.’ Ellie took the carton Rosie held out to her. ‘That sounds like my kind of food.’

‘Mine, too.’ I smiled. ‘Thank you so much, Rosie. I have a feeling I’m really going to enjoy this.’

‘You’re very welcome. I hope you do... enjoy it.’ She smiled. ‘Thai food was my husband’s favourite. We lost him two years ago to MS but we talk about him all the time, don’t we, Amelie?’

The little girl nodded. ‘My daddy’s up in heaven,’ she said matter-of-factly.

There was a shocked silence. It was all so much to process.

‘I’m so sorry.’ Ellie and I both said it at once.

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