Page 10 of Cupcake

‘What about the boyfriend and the girlfriend?’ said Alice, pointedly.

‘Them too,’ smiled Emilia, cocking her head curtly. ‘It’s really nice to have met you both, and if you need anything please do ask, Alice will get a message to me.’

‘Thank you,’ said Anna, standing up. ‘We ought to get going too.’

Elsie’s face flashed with disappointment as Anna looked toward her. ‘Thank you, Anna. You’ve been so kind.’

‘It’s no trouble, erm,’ she glanced back towards the two sisters, still standing in the doorway.

‘Oh you do want us out for a minute?’ said Alice, grinning and tapping her nose. ‘No problem.’

Emilia stepped into the corridor dragging Alice back and pulling the door shut as her nosy sister peered through the rapidly closing crack.

‘Sorry, I just… Is it okay if I ask for your number?’ said Anna, awkwardly. ‘You seem like a really nice couple and I’d be much happier knowing that you’re okay.’

‘I’d love that,’ she said, reaching for her phone. ‘Can I have your’s too?’

Anna beamed and nodded, and then looked down at her phone screen as Elsie’s contact sharing invite appeared on her screen. ‘Thank you.’

For a moment the two of them looked at each other, smiling awkwardly and then Anna took a deep breath and walked across the room to give Elsie a hug, wrapping her arms around her tight.

From the doorway, a familiar voice hissed… ‘Kiss her.’

‘We really must get going,’ laughed Anna, shaking her head as she stood back up. ‘Your friend is funny.’

‘She’s bonkers.’

‘I’ll go round up my family, and see what’s left of your garden.’

‘I’m off,’ said Emilia, leaning through the door and waving.

‘Thank you, all of you. I really appreciate it.’

As Anna left the room and Emilia and Alice hugged in the doorway, Elsie felt a familiar sensation in her stomach. One that she hadn’t felt in almost a year.

She smiled to herself and gently bit down on her bottom lip.

She had a new crush.

And there was a chance - just a chance - that it might be mutual.

Ooh la la, indeed.

*

CHAPTER TWO

‘WELL THEY WERE nice,’ said Alice, she grinned as she closed the door and turned around slowly.

‘What do you mean?’ said Elsie feigning innocence as she leaned back against the hallway cabinet, unable to hide the blush forming on her cheeks.

‘I’m just saying they were nice,’ repeated Alice as her smile widened. She tilted her head meaningfully. ‘Perhaps you should invite them over for dinner? Get the fire going…’

Elsie’s crimson cheeks brightened, shaking her head. ‘They were lovely, but no.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because…’ her mouth stayed open as she tried to think of a retort. ‘Just, because.’

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