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‘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.