“You won’t be,” Olivia promised. “At all.”

Back at Tea on the Lea, after dropping her mother off, Olivia found the shop and kitchen both sparkling clean, with Ellie draping a damp tea towel over the oven railing, and Alice putting the last few cakes in Tupperware.

“You’re too wonderful,” Olivia said, hugging them both. “I was expecting to have to be up for hours.”

“Glad to be of service,” Ellie said cheerfully. “It was a fab evening, Olivia. You deserve to put your feet up.”

Which was what she’d wanted to do—with Simon. Olivia tried not to let that bother her as she headed upstairs to her flat, kicking off her low heels with a groan of relief. Dr Jekyll was in Mr Hyde mode, hissing at her from the corner of the kitchen, but Olivia just ignored him.

“You’re warm and fed and cosy,” she said as she collapsed onto the sofa. “You have nothing to complain about.”

And neither did she. So Simon had declined her invitation. It wasn’t a big deal. At least, it didn’t have to be a big deal, if she chose not to make it one. She hugged her knees to her chest, willing herself to feel that, or at least to believe it.

A text pinged on her phone, and she snatched it, her heart lifting when she saw it was from Simon.

Sorry I didn’t come round. I don’t think I’d be very good company.

But he’d been charming company all evening. Frowning, Olivia deliberated over her response. It’s okay, Simon, she finally texted. Another time.

She sent it, waiting for his reply, but none came. Tossing the phone aside, Olivia gazed into the empty fireplace, the ashes of their fire from the other day filling the grate, and she tried to decide if his text had made her feel better—or worse.

Chapter Twelve

After the success of the Christmas Carols & Quiz Evening, Olivia decided to give herself a break and close the shop for the week of Christmas. She wanted time to relax, to spend with Simon, and to focus on her mum—and she didn’t usually get much custom during Christmas anyway, as everyone was busy at home with their families.

First, of course, she had to finish her cupcake promotion, which she did on the twentieth of December, with a big, red and green sign in the window advertising the free cupcake for “loyal customers.” She made a batch of triple chocolate cupcakes and another of her own creation, Christmas cake cupcakes, complete with brandy-soaked fruit and marzipan icing, which she gave away for free.

Over twenty people, all told, came in to buy their last cupcake and get their card stamped, and Olivia decided the promotion had been more than worthwhile—she gave Mallory another six Nutella cupcakes, her favourite flavour, as a thank you for giving her the idea.