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‘It’s pretty obvious.’ She laughed. ‘Just stay away from the things on the top shelf. And any jars with black lids. They have a bit more of a… let’s say punch.’

‘Got it.’ He eyed up the shelves, fingers tingling with anticipation. This was going to be fun.

‘These are delicious.’ Ophelia reached for another biscuit. ‘You’ve got a real knack for balancing spices. I wouldn’t have expected rosemary would work in shortbread, but you’ve really got something here with the lemon and honey. And the touch of heat from the cayenne is inspired!’

‘Thanks.’ Aiden smiled.

‘Is it one of your favourite blends?’

‘Nope.’ He laughed. ‘Can’t remember using it before. Just thought it might work. Someone else used to say I had a knack for this, a long time ago. Good to know I didn’t totally lose it.’

‘Not something you practise often?’

‘Not any more, no.’ He felt that old pang of grief that had never entirely left.

‘Sorry.’

‘For what?’

‘Bringing up whatever memory it was that hurt you.’ She collected his cup, then hesitated, peering into it and apparently getting lost in thought. After a few seconds, she nodded decisively. ‘You obviously won’t know this, but I’ve been needing to find some help for this place for a while. I don’t suppose you’d be interested?’

‘In working for you?’ Even without paying rent, the pathetic amount he got in jobseeker benefits was barely denting his expenses, and he hated the process. Ophelia’s offer couldn’t be further from his last job if he’d tried, but that might not be a bad thing… He thought about it a bit more, then sighed and shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t.’

‘Which is not the same as saying you don’t want to. What can I do to tempt you?’

‘I wasn’t really looking yet.’

‘But you were about to start.’

‘I can’t commit to full time.’

‘Part time works for me.’

‘I’d need to be pretty flexible about things. I have some responsibilities. I don’t know if I could be that reliable.’

‘Responsibilities you don’t want to explain?’

‘Not really.’ He was still getting his head around them himself. ‘Someone I’m helping look after.’

‘Fair enough. We all have our things. Flexible, part time, works for me. Really well, actually.’ She smiled at him. ‘I told you I can be a bit scatty. Well, I can be horribly disorganised too… and I’m the world’s greatest procrastinator. Katie’s been nagging me to find someone to help me get more organised for ages. What do you think? Want to give it a try?’

‘I actually think I do.’

‘Brilliant. You need a few days to get things sorted at home?’ She waited for his nod. ‘So, shall we say next week?’

‘Yeah. That sounds good.’ He hesitated, then awkwardly added, ‘Um… do we need to talk about pay and stuff?’

‘Oops.’ Ophelia laughed. ‘I did warn you what I’m like. Whatever living wage is plus a bit for anything big you sell. Sound OK?’

‘Fair.’

‘And you keep profits from your baking.’

‘My baking?’

‘We have space, and I think it’ll be popular. I have a feeling this’ – she broke off another piece of shortbread – ‘is only a hint of what you can do. Am I right?’

‘I might have a few more ideas.’ The memories were already bubbling up.