‘Maybe we could go back to that list of Quinn’s clients we delivered to. He seemed to think they’d all order from us again. It might tide us over,’ said Minnie, scratching her nose between thumb and forefinger.

‘OK,’ said Leila nodding. ‘So we cater corporates for a few months until the charity funding comes through and regular orders pick up.’

Minnie watched her friend try to paste on a smile, to look enthusiastic about this new plan. Minnie knew this was her opportunity to give Leila a get-out.

‘I don’t think we want to do that though, do we?’ Minnie watched her friend closely for a reaction. ‘It was supposed to be fun running a business together, and it’s not much fun any more, is it? If we can only survive by baking for city boys, I might as well go back to working in restaurants and earn more. As for you, if you’re going to have this level of stress, it might as well be for something you’re genuinely passionate about.’ She paused. ‘Ian mentioned the fashion job.’

Leila looked up, surprised. ‘I wasn’t planning to take it!’ Leila threw her head back and closed her eyes.

‘I didn’t think you would. I’m just saying, maybe we’ve come to the end of the road here. Maybe fate is trying to tell us something.’

Leila sat down on the little bench by the front door and hung her head in her hands. Did she look relieved? Minnie hoped she looked relieved. Then Leila looked up at Minnie with a scowl – it wasn’t a relieved kind of scowl.

‘So that’s it then?’ Leila shook her head. ‘Fate doesn’t want it to work so we’re done? I’ve poured four years of my life into this place, into building this business. There’s a way to save it and you don’t want to try?’

‘No, no, I just don’t think it’s what we want!’ cried Minnie.

‘You’ve decided it’s not what you want. You haven’t even asked me! You think I’m not passionate about this? This whole business was my idea, in case you’ve forgotten.’

‘Where’s all this coming from?’ said Minnie, her brow knitting in consternation.

‘I do all the shit stuff,’ said Leila, throwing her hands in the air. ‘I deal with the banks, I fill out all the funding applications. You’ve never offered to help with any of that side of it.’

‘I have! I didn’t think you wanted my help. You just took control of it.’ She was shaking her head, confused by Leila’s reaction.

‘So I’m controlling now, am I?’

Minnie reached out to touch her friend’s arm; she didn’t know how this had escalated so quickly into an argument. She softened her voice.