“What flavour tomorrow?”

“Nutella. Today was raspberry cheesecake. You didn’t come for your cupcake.” She meant to sound teasing but a faintly accusing note entered her voice.

“I’m sorry, I was stuck at school sorting out some paperwork for music exams. And...” he gave a sheepish grin “...I knew I’d be seeing you later anyway.”

“Are you saying you’ve only been coming into the shop to see me?” Olivia dared to ask, her cheeks warming at the thought.

“Well, I must admit it’s not for the cupcakes.”

“What!” She pretended to look outraged.

“They’re delicious, I’m sure, but I haven’t eaten any.” He paused, hanging his head. “The truth is, I didn’t come into the shop for the cupcakes, or any of your other delectable treats. I came in to see you.”

“Oh...” She was flummoxed and pleased by this admission, and she didn’t know how to respond.

Simon cocked his head, his gaze thoughtful. “I saw you through the window and thought, she looks like someone I’d like to know.”

Olivia’s cheeks warmed as she stared at his honest, open face. “Oh,” she said again.

“Is that creepy?”

“No, no...it’s...it’s sweet.” It was rather wonderful. She laughed, willing her blush to fade, absurdly touched by his admission. “Thank you.”

“Shall I walk you back to the shop?”

“All right.”

Simon settled their bill, gallantly refusing Olivia’s offer to split it, and then they stepped out of the pub into the cold night, their breath creating frosty puffs of air.

The high street of Wychwood-on-Lea was spangled with fairy lights and empty of people as they walked slowly down the cobbled pavement, the stars twinkling high above, diamond pinpricks in a dark night sky.

As the blue-painted door of Tea on the Lea came nearer, Olivia wondered what would happen. Should she invite him in? It was quite late now and she didn’t want him to get ideas, but neither did she want the evening to end.

With each step she wondered how to handle that ever-awkward moment, the goodbye on the first date. Kiss his cheek? Shake his hand? Do the cringe-worthy hug?

“Do you want your cupcake?” she blurted as they both came to a halt outside the shop. “I saved one for you.”

“Did you? That was kind. And most certainly worth five pounds.”

She laughed as she unlocked the door and stepped inside. “I raised the price to three pounds, actually. I think that’s reasonable.”

“Eminently so.”

She fumbled with the lights, her heart starting to thud in both expectation and nerves. “Well, you should take the cupcake anyway. I certainly don’t want to eat it. I’ve been eating far too many as it is.”

Simon stood by the door while Olivia fetched the cupcake, putting it in a box as she always did. Her fingers felt thick and clumsy, and she knew her face was scarlet. She was nearly forty, for heaven’s sake. Far too old for these kinds of jitters.

“May I see you again?” Simon asked. “This weekend?”