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‘Most of our lives. We’re both Hudsbury born and raised,’ Katie explained. ‘Have you been baking again?’ She snagged a biscuit off the plate between them.

‘Yeah, I put him to work trying to help one of my patients. He’s been really helpful.’

‘I’ll just bet he has.’ Katie elbowed her friend, laughing. ‘These are good, Aiden, but I liked the others better. The spicy ones were fun.’

‘These are for expectant mums, Katie.’

‘I suppose they already had plenty of spicy fun then, to end up in that condition.’ Aiden guffawed as Mia turned red. He didn’t catch the look Katie shot her friend.

‘When you’re done down here, pop up and have a brew with me if you’ve got time, Mimi? And steal some more biscuits.’

‘Hey.’ Mia knocked on the door to the flat above the shop. ‘I got honey and lavender cookies. Decided there’s been enough spiced biscuits for now.’

‘Yeah.’ Katie handed her friend tea. ‘That’s kinda what I wanted to talk to you about.’

‘OK?’

‘Would you mind a bit of unsolicited advice?’

‘From you? Always.’

‘Without wanting to overstep and stick my nose in…’

‘Katie. It’s fine. Just say it.’

‘When I came in, it was pretty hard to miss the sparks flying between you and Aiden. And I just wanted to make sure you know what you might be getting into. I mean, he’s a great guy, Mia… He’s been brilliant with the store, great with the customers: charming, empathic and considerate. Ophelia adores him – and I adore him because he helps her. She’s a lot calmer and more focussed with him here.’

‘What’s the “but”, Katie?’

‘But from everything Phe’s told me, and what I’ve seen, I wouldn’t want a friend dating him. If I were being polite, I’d probably call him a player.’

‘And if you weren’t being polite?’

‘I’ll let you guess.’ Katie cackled, sounding a lot like her girlfriend. ‘But seriously, Mimi. He keeps clothes here to change some mornings, and when he talks about his dates he never mentions the same woman more than a couple of times. Phe says there’s been three different women since he’s worked here – but not anyone local who we’d know. But honestly, I suspect there might be more than he’s letting on. I get the impression he’s a bit commitment-phobic. At best.’

‘OK.’

‘I don’t want to tell you your business, Mimi, but I don’t want to see you hurt either.’

‘I appreciate the warning, Kitikat, but it’s just a bit of harmless flirting. I’m not interested in Aiden, and highly doubt he’d be into me!’

‘Why not? You’re gorgeous. And I say that as your friend and someone into women.’ She laughed. ‘Still, if he gets out of line you can always set one of Phe’s pet demons on him.’

‘Ophelia doesn’t have pet demons!’ Mia hesitated and leaned forward. ‘Does she?’

‘Who knows? I’m not asking and she’s not volunteering the information.’ Katie laughed. ‘Still, if Aiden gets a bit much, just do what I do and smack him.’

‘I can’t hit him!’

‘It’s just in play.’

‘Play or not, I’m not interested.’ Mia sipped her tea, before smiling. ‘I want what you have.’

‘A woman? I can recommend some dating sites…’

‘No.’ Mia laughed. ‘I still like guys. I mean the great and grand romance we always talked about – the one that sweeps me off my feet to a glorious sunset and happy ever after.’

‘Oh, you’re still looking for your fairy tale.’