Thankfully Harriet had been quick to agree, and she strolled into the shop at quarter to eleven, looking worried.

“Is everything okay, Olivia? What’s up with your mum?”

“Just a burn that needs checking.” Olivia didn’t want to go into the cognitive testing bit just yet; it felt like a betrayal of her mother, and it wasn’t really her news to share. “Thanks for helping out.”

“Of course, I’m delighted to. I would more often if you wanted me to.”

“I know.” Olivia gave her a rather guilty smile, knowing it was her emotional issue that kept her from leaning on her friends more. Harriet glanced around the shop.

“This place really does look fab, so Christmassy. I love the mistletoe.” She glanced at the cake stand in the front window. “What’s the cupcake for today, then?”

“Raspberry cheesecake.” Which might have been a bit more miss than hit, but Olivia was trying for a wide variety of flavours.

“It looks delicious. Are those crystallised raspberries on top?”

“Yes, and a bit of red glitter to make it that much more festive.”

“You do such an amazing job.” Harriet looked at her seriously. “You deserve massive success, Olivia.”

“Thanks.” Whether she would get it or not was another matter, but for once Olivia didn’t have financial worries in the back of her mind. The cupcakes had been picking up, and staying open for the tree-lighting ceremony had been a definite plus. She’d had more inquiries about the evening do she was planning next week, as well. In any case, it was her mother she was worried about today.

“And what about Cupcake Man?” Harriet asked. “Has he come in again?”

Olivia rolled her eyes, simply because the question was so lovably predictable. Ellie had texted her about “Cupcake Man” that morning, and Ava had asked her about him when she’d picked up a coffee and muffin before jetting off to work. Olivia hadn’t told either of them about her drink with Simon, mainly because she didn’t want to make it into a bigger deal than it actually was. Now, under Harriet’s beady eye, she found she couldn’t quite dissemble.

“Actually, he has a name, and we’re going out for a drink tonight.”

“Oh, wow!” Harriet clapped her hands, genuinely delighted. “So what is his name, out of interest?”

Olivia hesitated for a second, uncertain whether to unleash her friends’ inquisitiveness on her fledgling love life. “Simon Blacklock.”

“Simon...” A funny look came over Harriet’s face, making Olivia’s fragile hopes start to waver.

“Why are you looking like that?”

“Like what?” Harriet blustered, and Olivia pursed her lips.

“Like you’ve just tasted something sour. What is it? Do you know him?”

“I don’t know him exactly...” Harriet began, and Olivia’s stomach roiled unpleasantly. This was sounding worse and worse.

“So what do you know?”

“It’s just hearsay and rumours, really,” Harriet said hurriedly, which only made Olivia feel even more worried. She’d known there had been something Simon had been holding back. Of course it was all too good to be true.