Had he wanted her to invite him along? Olivia had no idea what Simon wanted, what he was thinking, and suddenly she decided she was too old for these kinds of games. As they neared the shop, she stopped and turned to him.

“So, Simon, why did you want me to know you were single?”

He blinked, and then took her abrupt question in his stride. “Because I wanted to ask you out,” he answered with an easy smile.

Oh. Well, then. Excitement flickered through her, and yet even so Olivia couldn’t banish a stirring of unease. “You haven’t been to buy a cupcake in days.”

“I know.” He glanced away briefly. “I meant to, but...”

She shook her head. “It’s not a big deal.” It really wasn’t, and yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something Simon wasn’t telling her. Something he didn’t want to tell her. And yet she had no idea what it could be.

“Anyway,” Simon said, injecting a bright note in his voice. “If you fancy a drink at The Three Pennies one night...”

Did she? Of course she did. Whatever Simon wasn’t saying, and perhaps it was nothing, she still fancied a drink with him. “Yes, of course,” she said. “Whenever you’re free...”

“Tomorrow night?”

Excitement flickered again, stronger this time. “Yes, okay.”

He smiled, and then nodded towards the shop. “Any cupcakes left?”

She nodded, smiling back. “Today was toffee apple.”

She pushed open the door, blinking in the bright light of the shop as Simon followed her. Her mother had tidied up, clearing tables and tucking in chairs, but Olivia couldn’t see her anywhere.

“Mum...? Are you here...?”

“Back here.” Her mother sounded distressed, and with her heart leaping into her throat, Olivia hurried towards the kitchen.

“Mum...!” Her mother was slumped against the counter, cradling her arm to her chest. “What happened?”

“It was so silly of me...” Tina shook her head, tears of pain as well as shame smarting in her eyes. “I was pouring the mulled wine and I didn’t see... I managed to slop it all over myself.”

“Oh, Mum.” Gently Olivia took hold of her mother’s arm, wincing at the sight of the red, blistered burn from her wrist to her elbow. “This needs to be seen to, Mum—”

“I don’t want to make a fuss—”

“It looks serious.” Panic cramped her stomach as she gazed at the burn. “Let me drive you to the hospital in Witney.”

“Oh, no—”

“Please, Mum.”

“Why don’t I drive you?” Simon said unexpectedly. “Then you can focus on your mum, Olivia, and I can manage the driving and the parking. My car’s parked just down the road.”

“Oh...” Disconcerted, Olivia couldn’t think how to respond. The offer was so surprising and yet also welcome. Olivia was shaken herself, and her mum needed all her attention. And, she realised, she liked the idea of having some support. “Only if you want to...” she started, trailing off uncertainly, only to have Simon give a firm nod.