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‘On top of my bloody head.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Do we have a deal? Samosas for demented forgotten-how-to-leave-the-floor frog jumps?’

Amrita laughed. ‘Meat or vegetable?’

‘Baker’s choice.’ Sylvie determinedly lowered herself into the first squat, her grip firm on the back of the chair.

* * *

A few days later, Jamie looked at the designs spread across Sylvie’s kitchen table, feeling slightly awed. He’d only agreed to this as a favour to his friend Mia – the type of favour that years of friendship bought – but the designs had exploded in front of his eyes.

It wasn’t the type of work he usually did – his projects were usually far bigger and better funded than this project – but Mia had asked him to advise on an idea she was planning with her boyfriend’s mum, and he’d been happy to help. Then, as he’d started sketching out the ideas, the usual flush of power had filled his fingers, speeding his pencil across the page, mapping out the design in magic and pencil almost before he had thought it.

And it was… something. The flow of the lines and space, the mix of materials, the curves and comfort… He absent-mindedly reached for the plate while staring at the enticing sketch and cringed when he realised it was empty, bar crumbs. It had been full of biscuits when Mia had put it on the table next to the long-ago emptied teapot.

‘Sorry.’

‘It’s fine.’ Sylvie smiled proudly. ‘Those are one of my son’s newest bakes. They’re proving very popular.’

‘I can see why. I thought you were joking about them being good for inspiration, but I think this plan half-drew itself!’ He shot Mia a meaningful look, still grateful that his old friend had finally woken up to the magic in Hudsbury. But he couldn’t say anything more, because he knew Sylvie hadn’t.

‘I rarely joke about Aiden’s baking. He’s too good at it.’

‘He really is,’ Mia agreed. ‘Although apples, cloves, damiana and hibiscus aren’t just for creativity and inspiration.’

‘I’m almost nervous to ask… What else?’

‘Aiden would probably tell you this blend is good for finding love too. And his bosses would likely remind you there’s an age-old tradition of using apples to help you learn the name of your true love.’

‘No danger of that.’ Jamie laughed. ‘Unless it’s this beauty of a building I’m falling for. Probably arrogant of me as it’s my drawing, but it’s got one stunning set of curves.’

‘I don’t know what to do with you some days.’

‘Probably what you always have: roll your eyes, laugh, and hopefully not hit me too hard. Though Katie hit me more than you did.’

‘You wound her up more.’ Mia laughed, knowing he was right about their friend. ‘But you’re right about the drawing. I think it’s one of the prettiest buildings I’ve ever seen.’

‘So, what do you think?’ Sylvie leaned in, her fingers tracing one of the lines of the roof. ‘Can it be done?’

‘Anything can be done…’ Jamie mused aloud, his brain already ticking over the problems. ‘I mean, I’ve never turfed over a building before, but it’s doable, and I’ve certainly delivered roof gardens. We’d have to make sure the roots and the roof were protected from one another, but with the right plants and membranes and liners I’m sure it can be managed. I know someone who I think can help with that. And I’ve never installed a wood burning stove – funnily enough there’s not much call for them in commercial or clinical settings, but…’

‘Jamie?’ Mia interrupted. ‘You’re talking like you’re planning to build this. We were just hoping for advice on some of Sylvie’s ideas – to see if it might be plausible – and maybe recommendations for any firms you thought might take it on. These designs are already far more than I’d dared to hope for.’

‘Right. Of course.’ He tried not to feel a pang of disappointment that this would be the limit of his involvement. ‘Yeah, I can put together a list.’

‘Are you OK, J? Only, someone who’s known you as long as I have might say you seem a little less excited than you were a couple of minutes ago. You don’t actually want to build this, do you?’

‘No. It’s not the type of work I do. You know that. It’d be ridiculous to even consider.’ He couldn’t help the grin. ‘But, damn it, part of me really does want to.’

‘Could you fit it alongside your other work without it being too much of a pain?’ Sylvie asked.

They all looked up at the sound of the door, and Mia jumped to her feet. ‘I’ll get it.’

‘Thanks, love.’ Sylvie turned back to Jamie. ‘Well? Could you fit it in?’

‘Maybe.’ He thought about it. ‘We’re on track for finishing our latest project, and it looks like there’s still going to be some delays – planning, mostly – before we can break ground on the next. It might be nice to have another focus. We could potentially do it… I mean, I’d have to double check legalities and logistics, and by the time the legal stuff is dealt with, the actual physical building work probably couldn’t start until summer. Which would be in line with where I’m expecting our delays to land…’

‘That’s perfect. You’re hired.’

‘What?’