Chapter 7
‘Your blood pressure looks good, Mr Fairhead. It looks like your new meds are working for you. How are you feeling?’
‘Much better thanks. Don’t mind admitting it got a bit scary for a while there!’
‘Never doubted we’d get you sorted!’ Mia smiled at him. ‘Stick to the meds regime, keep up the exercise, and the only place I should be seeing you for the next three months is out and around Hudsbury.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘But if you do get any symptoms…’
‘…I’ll call the surgery and book in with one of the doctors.’
‘Exactly. I wish all my patients were as good as you!’
‘One heart attack was more than enough, thanks. I’m not doing that again! Comes highly not recommended!’
‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ Mia laughed as she opened the door for him. ‘Book another appointment for about three months. OK?’
‘Thank you, Nurse.’ He shook her hand, but held on for a second. ‘You really are an angel.’
‘Just doing my job. But you’re more than welcome. Now take care.’ She held the door open for him, and hesitated when the smell of baking hit her, as strongly as if she’d walked past Sugar Rush, or stepped into Glimmers. Strange in the surgery, but a welcome reminder of Aiden that made her smile.
She went back to her desk, still smiling and thinking of him as she checked her notes to see which patient was next on her list and found a note attached to the file. She double-clicked it open, expecting a message from reception, or updated test results. Instead, it read:
Situations will often change depending on how you look at them – and who you are with, and your state of mind – when you look.
Weird. She clicked the info on the note, wanting to see which colleague had sent it, but found nothing. Thinking quickly, she attached it to an email and fired it off to the IT department – just in case it was some new hacking attempt.
Aiden pulled his last batch of biscuits out of the café’s huge oven and set about quickly moving them to the cooling racks.
‘You’re keen for a Monday.’ Cheryl had waved when she’d arrived, before disappearing to her office to deal with the kind of admin and paperwork Aiden didn’t miss at all.
She’d been right: he’d spent half the night buzzing with inspiration and scribbling down recipe ideas he couldn’t wait to try out in the modern, professional kitchen.
He struggled to remember the last time he’d felt as inspired and excited as he had since his one-off favour with Mia, and since learning about magic, and everything in his life seemed to flow better.
It was weird – still hard to believe at times – but it felt so natural that fighting it would have been stranger.
He was more inspired, recipes came together better, and his bakes were tastier.
Even his bike seemed to ride a little smoother.
It was like the piece of the puzzle he hadn’t realised he was missing had dropped into place, and everything suddenly made sense. Like magic. He chuckled.
He lost track of time, disappearing into a delicious world of sugar and spices as he balanced flavours with intentions – remembering Ophelia’s words about mixing his mood into his batters.
He’d always been good at balancing flavours – instinctively knowing what was missing from a recipe just by smell or taste – although, he thought, grinning, perhaps it was less instinct and more this gift that Rayenne and Ophelia, and even the cat, insisted he had!
It was still equal parts ridiculous and amazing, but it felt too right to argue.
There were a couple of times Mia popped into his mind as he was blending, chopping and kneading – but given that she was still one of his first taste-testers, that wasn’t surprising.
‘It smells wonderful in here.’ Cheryl sniffed the air appreciatively, before peering into one of the bowls waiting to be cleaned. ‘What are you making?’
‘I wanted something really summery and fresh, and maybe just a little bit magical. Something to celebrate summer and fresh beginnings.’
‘Just in time for the New Moon. First since Litha.’ Cheryl smiled and Aiden wondered exactly how much she knew. ‘They smell delicious. Will you tell me what’s in them if I ask?’
‘Along with the usual butter, flour and eggs I’ve used honey for sweetness, lemon zest for a bright, fresh start, cardamom for mystery and magic, basil for new beginnings, rose for love, romance and enchantment, and lavender for that dozy, dreamy lazy summer feel.
’ He grinned as he carefully moved the last couple over.
‘I was thinking of calling them Summer Fairy Rounds.’
‘They’re delicious,’ she said between bites. ‘I’m definitely going to need you to make up some more of these.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes. Do you think you could make a cake version of this?’
‘Probably.’
‘I had an email come in late last night from a rather upset bride whose baker has let her down. These could be perfect.’
‘When for?’
‘Next week. It’s a big order. I was planning to say no. It’s not what I usually do, but you could.’
‘How big is big, Cheryl?’
‘I think she said 350…’
‘That’s big.’
‘Maybe think about it before you decide?’
‘I will.’ He nodded.
‘Oh ho, this should be good. Look’ – she pointed through the window – ‘early morning traffic warden.’
‘You think that’s good?’
‘Usually. Oh dear. Looks like someone is about to get a bad start to their day.’ She chortled, surprising Aiden. Cheryl was usually very kind. Curious, he watched as the traffic warden pulled out his ticketing machine.
‘Do you know whose car that is? Should we warn them?’
‘It’s Betty’s, who works in the corner shop. But don’t worry about it. Watch.’ She took another bite of her biscuit. ‘These really are very good.’
As Aiden watched, he could almost feel the man’s frustration through the window.
He tapped his machine, then turned it over a few times, and gave it a hard shake.
He shook his head, then pulled out a mobile phone and took some pictures.
Or, apparently, tried to. Something seemed to be wrong with that device too.
Aiden glanced to Cheryl, who was grinning broadly.
‘What’s happening?’
‘It’s a Hudsbury thing.’ Cheryl winked. ‘Traffic wardens and the like have a horrible time round here.’
They watched as the warden pulled out a pad and pen, and started to write. Then scribbled against the pad, tapping the pen a few times, then scribbling again. Seemingly frustrated, he threw the pen down and stomped off.
‘I almost feel bad for him. He’s just doing his job.’
‘Ordinarily, I’d agree – but there’s really no harm in Betty’s parking.
The whole village knows her arthritis has been bad recently, and no one minds her car there.
It’s just officious nonsense from the council, who don’t know how things work here.
Hey, shouldn’t you be getting off to the shop? ’ Cheryl pointed to the clock.
‘Bugger. I need to clear up here too. And change.’ He tried to brush off the smears of butter and flour.
‘Don’t worry about it. I can shove most of it in the pot washer.’
‘Thank you.’ He scooped a few of the biscuits into a takeout box, then swapped his apron for his hoodie and raced out of the kitchen.
‘Aiden? Hat?’
‘Thanks.’ He laughed and threw it to her over the counter before racing up the street. He was so busy trying to remember Rayenne’s trick for ducking between raindrops and not getting soaked that he didn’t notice the ones that left heart shapes as they splashed to the floor.
He grabbed his stash bag, and stripped off his T-shirt in the little washroom, then heard footsteps behind him. He really needed to start locking the door.
‘Oooh, naughty boy. You’re late!’ Katie ribbed him. ‘Did you have a good night with someone whose number you already lost?’
He yanked the clean shirt over his head and turned to find Mia watching him too.
Aiden was intensely aware of Mia’s eyes on him.
‘No, I’ve been up for hours. Only woman I’ve been hanging out with is Cheryl.’ He held up the box he’d brought over. ‘I’ve been baking. Is Ophelia about? I want to see what she thinks.’
‘No, she had one of those “too good to possibly miss” finds online last night, so was gone first thing. I said I’d wait until you got in.’
‘Sorry for keeping you.’
‘It’s OK. I didn’t have much planned today. Mia came in and has been keeping me amused. Hand over the goodies, and I won’t tell Phe how late you were.’
‘Five minutes.’
‘I’d say at least seven.’ Katie poked her tongue out at him. ‘Which is practically ten. Don’t you agree, Mimi?’
‘Sorry, what?’
Aiden wasn’t sure, but she seemed to be avoiding his eyes.
‘Oh, ignore her.’ Katie laughed. ‘She’s distracted because she’s in luuuuurve.’
‘Really?’
‘Is that so unbelievable? Mia’s awesome. Any man would be lucky to date her.’
‘I’m not disagreeing. Just surprised. I didn’t know she was seeing anyone.’
‘It’s a first date.’ Mia bit her bottom lip, looking incredibly uncomfortable. ‘Just someone I met on an app – we’ve been chatting back and forth the last week or so, and agreed to meet for drinks tomorrow. You know, just to see if there’s any potential in person.’
She still wasn’t meeting his eyes, and he couldn’t leave her looking so uncomfortable. ‘That sounds positive for project Triple D. I hope he’s taking you somewhere nice.’
‘Just meeting at a wine bar.’
‘And you’ll meet me for coffee in the morning?’ Katie elbowed her. ‘And fill me in on all the details. Aiden, you going to share what’s in the box? Shall I make drinks to go with?’
‘Yeah. Tea would be good. These are a new summer blend.’
‘Ooh, sounds interesting. Back in a minute. By the way, I like the new artwork. Bit different, but cool.’
‘What?’
She ignored him, already halfway to the kitchen.
‘So…’ Mia started, needing to explain.
‘I would have…’ They interrupted each other, and Aiden held his hands up, indicating she should go first.
‘I was going to tell you. Katie just beat me to it.’
‘I believe you.’ Aiden shrugged like it didn’t matter, and it occurred to Mia that maybe it didn’t to him. ‘I think she’s excited for you.’
‘Yeah. I think I’m her latest project.’ Mia laughed.