“Are you sure? Aren’t you going to sell them?”

Olivia shook her head. “Doubtful. It’s already getting dark and I’ll be lucky if I get a handful of customers for the rest of the day. Plus I made them this morning and they’ll go stale by tomorrow.” And if she gave them to Mallory, she wouldn’t eat them herself. Already comfortably round, she certainly didn’t need to start scoffing cupcakes—or three—on a daily basis.

“All right,” Mallory said, taking the box. “Thanks, Olivia. But that’s even more reason to do the cupcake thing, isn’t it—new ones every day since the old ones won’t keep.” She hoisted her backpack on one skinny shoulder, cocking her finger and thumb at Olivia in a trust-me gesture. “I’m telling you, this is it. Your big break. Will you give me a bonus if you make it big?”

“Unlimited cupcakes for life,” Olivia promised. “In whatever flavour you want.” Smiling, she watched Mallory flounce out, her phone out and thumbs working madly before the door had closed behind her.

Olivia had known Mallory for nearly two years and she couldn’t believe how grown-up she was becoming, half startling maturity, half sulky attitude. Harriet had her hands full, not just with Mallory, but with William, her ten-year-old brother, and Chloe, the family’s adorable but slightly spoiled seven-year-old. But then Harriet was one of those frighteningly organised women who didn’t seem fazed by anything—or at least she had been, until her life had fallen apart in spectacular style, and then come together again, better than before.

Olivia was happy her friend had found happiness with her husband again—in fact, all four of her friends at Willoughby Close had found their happily-ever-afters, and Olivia had had an admittedly small part to play in each of their stories, whether it was doling out cups of tea and generous slabs of cake, or simply providing a smiling face and a listening ear. Now Ellie and Oliver were married, as were Alice and Henry, and Ava and Jace.

Olivia had made all their wedding cakes, which had brought in a nice bit of business. Since Henry was the local lord of the manor, her cake had been something of a talked-about centrepiece. But wedding cake orders had dropped right off after the summer, and once again Olivia was trying to think of another way to make a go of her little tea shop. At least things were ticking over at the moment...if only just.

Olivia bustled around the shop, tidying up after Mallory and finishing her Christmas shopping list. Darkness was already starting to fall, nearly obscuring the steady trickle of mums and children now coming from the primary school at the top end of the high street. None of them stopped in the shop, and Olivia wasn’t surprised. Most mothers just wanted to get home at this point, and the wintry weather would put anyone off lingering in front of the display windows she spent hours trying to make look irresistibly delectable.