Starry Skies at Castle Court

by Holly Hepburn

  To Special Agent Williamson – here's to the next ten years!

  Chapter One

  He said YES!

  Andrew and Earl are delighted to invite you to

  celebrate their wedding on

  Saturday 30 June

  at

  Castle Court, Chester

  RSVP to gettinghitched@busstopdiner.com

  ‘Okay, I give in. What is that?’

  Sadie Smart stopped halfway across the basement of the Smart Cookies Biscuit Emporium and pointed at the glass-panelled black and red cube that sat on the work surface in the middle of the kitchen.

  Her business partner, Cat Garcia, waved a mysterious hand across the top. ‘The answer to all your prayers. Or mine, anyway.’

  ‘It’s definitely not Aidan Turner,’ Sadie said, raising her eyebrows. ‘In fact, it looks like it just beamed here from NASA.’

  ‘You’re not a million miles from the truth, actually,’ Cat said, grinning. ‘I imagine these things are very popular with rocket scientists.’

  Sadie’s forehead wrinkled as she continued across the basement and into the small kitchen. ‘Put me out of my misery. What is it?’

  ‘You know it can sometimes be a struggle to find biscuit cutters that are the right shape for your designs?’ Cat said, as Sadie peered through the glass panels.

  ‘I do try not to be difficult,’ Sadie replied wryly. ‘But go on.’

  Cat patted the top of the cube, feeling like a child on Christmas morning. ‘Now you don’t have to worry. This is a 3D printer – all we have to do is tell it what we want and it will make it for us!’

  Sadie’s mouth fell into an impressed-looking ‘O’. ‘Really?’

  ‘Really,’ Cat said. ‘Obviously it’s a bit more complicated than that and there might be a bit of trial and error until we get used to it. But it should mean we can create biscuits that are unique to Smart Cookies.’

  She watched as Sadie’s eyes widened with possibilities. ‘How does it work?’

  ‘It’s really clever – you enter the dimensions into the software on the laptop and away it goes.’ She beamed enthusiastically. ‘I’ll give you a demonstration if you like.’

  ‘Maybe later,’ Sadie said. ‘I actually came down here to share some exciting news.’

  She placed a cream-coloured envelope on the countertop next to the printer and gave Cat an expectant look.

  ‘Is this what I think it is?’ Cat asked, turning the envelope over and tearing it open.

  Sadie grinned. ‘It is. Andrew said yes – he and Earl are tying the knot!’

  ‘Fabulous!’ Cat said in delight, studying the heavy card invitation with its hot-pink lettering. ‘I take it our edible proposal did the trick, then?’

  ‘I’m not sure we can take all the credit,’ Sadie replied, laughing. ‘But Earl said Andrew almost burst into tears when he saw “Will You Marry Me” spelled out in biscuits. And they’d like us to provide the wedding favours, so we obviously did something right.’

  The thought of stoic, bearded Andrew bursting into tears made Cat’s heart melt. ‘Great. Any idea what they’ve got in mind?’

  Sadie’s eyes twinkled. ‘Oh, nothing too tricky. Just miniature versions of all the Castle Court shops.’

  Cat felt her jaw drop as she thought of the myriad shapes and sizes of shops that lined the Court’s three floors. ‘It’s a good job I bought this,’ she said, glancing at the 3D printer. ‘I think we’re going to need it.’

  ‘We’re going to need a lot of icing sugar too. It’s just as well we enjoy a challenge, isn’t it?’

  Cat’s gaze came to rest on the wedding invitation once more. Andrew and Earl had been welcoming from the very first moment she and Sadie had opened Smart Cookies and they’d quickly become friends as well as neighbours. It would be an absolute pleasure to design and bake edible gifts for their fellow wedding guests.

  ‘Mine is a plus one,’ she said, looking at Sadie. ‘Is yours?’

  ‘Plus two,’ her best friend answered. ‘For Daniel and Lissy. In fact, they’ve asked Lissy to be flower girl, which I’m not sure she’ll be thrilled about once she realises it involves wearing a dress.’

  Cat smiled. Sadie’s daughter preferred dinosaurs to dolls. ‘I’m sure Andrew and Earl would be happy with a flower T-Rex instead.’

  ‘If only,’ Sadie sighed. She nodded at Cat’s invitation. ‘Who are you going to take?’

  It was a question Cat had no answer for. Before Easter, she wouldn’t have hesitated; she’d have gone with her boyfriend, Seb, who ran his own bar on the third floor and had known both grooms far longer than Cat. But then she’d discovered Seb had betrayed her with his old flame, Elin. Even now, almost two months after she’d found out the devastating truth, she could hardly bear to look either of them in the eye whenever she ran into them around Castle Court.

  ‘I’ll go on my own,’ she told Sadie, squaring her shoulders. ‘It’s not as if I won’t know anyone, after all.’

  Sadie opened her mouth, as though about to say something, and then closed it again. Finally, she nodded. ‘We’ll have to make biscuit versions of Seb’s bar and Elin’s chocolate shop. That’s not going to be a problem, is it?’

  ‘I’m not that bitter,’ Cat said, staring at her. ‘Bloody hell, Sadie, credit me with some professionalism.’

  ‘Sorry,’ Sadie said, and Cat was slightly mollified by the blush that crept up her neck. ‘It’s just that it isn’t very long ago that you and Jaren were discussing hiding rotten prawns around the bar. And revenge is a dessert best served cold.’

  It was a conversation Cat remembered well; she and Jaren had spent the best part of an hour discussing the best ways for Cat to get her own back. That had been before Jaren had realised Seb’s other woman was actually his own girlfriend . . .

  ‘I think we’ve all moved on since then,’ Cat told Sadie.

  ‘Good,’ Sadie said, turning around and heading for the stairs. ‘Because the last thing we need is for you to go full EastEnders during the wedding.’

  ‘No chance of that,’ Cat called as Sadie disappeared up the stairs that led to the shop floor. ‘Scandi noir, maybe . . .’

  She picked up the invitation and studied it once more. It was a lovely thing for the Castle Court community and she couldn’t be happier for Andrew and Earl. But she’d be lying if she said she was looking forward to the complications the wedding might cause. In fact, a lot of things in the Court were complicated these days, she thought, glancing restlessly around the basement; the only thing that stayed absolutely constant was her biscuit recipe. Although that was in danger of being too simple; once or twice in the last month, she’d caught herself longing for the challenge of managing a hectic restaurant kitchen.

  ‘Make your mind up, Cat,’ she muttered to herself, tucking the invitation into her pocket. She looked at the 3D printer and tried to summon up the enthusiasm she’d felt a few minutes earlier. ‘Come on, then. Let’s get to know each other.’

  *

  ‘How much longer, Mummy?’

  Lissy squirmed on the cold wooden pew, gazing up at Sadie with an expression that bordered on actual pain. She’d been good up until now, absorbing the grandeur of Chester Cathedral with wide-eyed admiration, but Sadie sensed they were about to reach critical fidget overload.

  ‘Shhh!’ she whispered, glancing around to see who among the congregation had overheard. Beside her, Daniel frowned. The christening was for the daughter of a senior partner at the law firm where he worked and Sadie knew he wanted to make a good impression. It was part of the reason she’d agreed to come; a stable family life earned plenty of approval points with Daniel’s bosses. But a badly behaved child could spoil everything.
>
  Sadie slipped an arm around her daughter’s shoulders. ‘Not long now,’ she murmured. ‘Look, they’re pouring the water over the baby’s head.’

  Lissy perked up, craning her neck to see. ‘Why didn’t she have a bath before she came?’

  There was a muffled snort from behind them. Flustered, Sadie risked a look backwards and saw Daniel’s secretary hiding a smile with one hand. Her eyes twinkled beneath her oversized hat as she leaned towards Lissy. ‘That is a very good question. Would have saved us all from getting a numb bum from these horrible hard seats, right?’

  Lissy giggled as everyone around them stood up.

  ‘I now invite everyone here present to pray for Emily Rose,’ the celebrant announced, his voice rich and warm.

  The rest of the congregation began to read from the order of service but Lissy tugged Sadie’s hand. ‘Dippy wants to pray for Emily too.’

  Swallowing a comment about the religious beliefs of dinosaurs, Sadie reached into her handbag and pulled out a long green diplodocus. Lissy took it eagerly and positioned the toy above the sheet in Sadie’s other hand, as though reading.

  ‘At least she’s not moaning any more,’ Daniel whispered, meeting Sadie’s gaze with a wry look. ‘Chin up, it’s nearly time for fizz.’

  Sadie was relieved when they reached the end of the service without any further outbursts. Outside, the sun was shining, bathing the cathedral’s gothic spires in golden light against a backdrop of cloudless blue skies, and Sadie felt some of her anxiety melt away. All she had to do now was get through an hour or so of small talk with Daniel’s colleagues and then she could escape, safe in the knowledge that she’d done all that he’d asked of her.

  ‘That wasn’t too bad,’ he said, as they followed the crowd through the cathedral grounds to the canal-side restaurant that was hosting the party.

  Sadie watched Lissy pause to offer Dippy some of the immaculate grass lawn that ran alongside the path. ‘No, it wasn’t. I think your secretary is smitten by Lissy.’

  He smiled. ‘Tell me about it – I’ve got a photo of us all on my desk and she keeps asking when she’s going to meet you and Liss. I think today might be a dream come true.’

  ‘Hardly,’ Sadie replied, laughing in spite of the fluttering of nerves his words caused. This wasn’t the first work function she’d attended with Daniel but it was the first since they’d split up and got back together and she wasn’t looking forward to seeing some of his co-workers. Thankfully, his secretary was new and had missed the scandal that had followed his affair with fellow lawyer Emma. Maybe she’d be a good person to hang out with at the party, Sadie thought. If Daniel would let her.

  The restaurant had made the most of the glorious weather. The courtyard overlooking the canal was bedecked with bunting and there was a grassy area filled with toys for the younger guests. A marquee gave some shade from the hot midday sunshine and there were several staff members offering up flutes of champagne. A string quartet played in one corner. Sadie looked around with tentative approval. If it wasn’t for the other guests, she’d be quite happy to spend her Sunday afternoon here.

  Lissy made straight for the toys, while Daniel swiped two glasses of champagne. ‘Here,’ he said, handing one to Sadie. ‘Cheers.’

  ‘Cheers,’ she echoed. She took a long swig, enjoying the burst of bubbles on her tongue and the crisp, buttery flavour that followed.

  ‘Better?’ Daniel asked, as she let out a small sigh of appreciation.

  ‘Better,’ she agreed. ‘Although you make me feel a bit like an alcoholic.’

  ‘Nonsense. I just know how much you appreciate good champagne.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘And there’s been no expense spared here, let me tell you. Nothing but the best for Emily Rose.’

  Sadie believed it; hiring one of the best restaurants in Chester for an entire afternoon in high season must have cost a small fortune. And she didn’t want to know what kind of strings had been pulled to have the christening held in the cathedral itself; a serious contribution to church funds must have taken place.

  Daniel took her hand. ‘Come on. Let’s mingle.’

  Sadie pulled back in alarm. ‘But what about Lissy?’

  ‘They’ve got staff to look after the kids,’ Daniel pointed out. ‘Look – there’s a nanny over there, making bracelets. And another sitting on the grass, doing balloon animals. Lissy will be fine.’

  Sadie frowned. On the one hand, the sooner she made the rounds, the sooner they could leave. But she didn’t like the thought of leaving Lissy in the hands of strangers, no matter how qualified they were.

  ‘Let me tell her where we’ll be,’ she said, passing him her glass. ‘I won’t be a moment.’

  Quickly, she found Lissy and crouched beside her, trying to ignore the way her heels sank into the grass. ‘Mummy and Daddy are going to be talking to some of the grown-ups, okay? Don’t leave this area without telling one of the nice nannies. And make sure you don’t go anywhere near the fence beside the water.’

  Lissy nodded. ‘But what if Dippy needs a drink?’

  ‘Give him some orange juice,’ Sadie said firmly.

  She stood up and made her way over to the nanny surrounded by beads and elastic. ‘That’s my daughter, Lissy. If you need us, we’ll just be chatting in the courtyard.’

  The girl smiled. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her. Maybe she’d like to make a bracelet.’

  Sadie eyed the explosion of pink and purple on the table in front of the girl. ‘Maybe,’ she said doubtfully. ‘Have you got any dinosaur-shaped beads?’

  By the time Sadie had chatted to what felt like a bewildering array of Daniel’s colleagues and their partners, her head was starting to spin in a way that had nothing to do with the champagne and she longed to go back to the kids’ area to thread beads onto elastic herself. But Daniel was obviously on a mission to schmooze; all Sadie could do was try and keep up. It wasn’t as bad as she’d feared, however; if Daniel’s co-workers were curious about Sadie’s decision to take him back, they hid it well.

  At last she found herself face-to-face with Daniel’s secretary, Elizabeth.

  ‘It’s so lovely to meet you at last,’ the other woman cried, shaking Sadie’s hand with warm enthusiasm. ‘Daniel has told me so much about you.’

  Sadie couldn’t help smiling. ‘Lovely to meet you too. Did you enjoy the christening?’

  ‘It was beautiful,’ Elizabeth said, her plump cheeks dimpling. She glanced around, then fixed Sadie with a conspiratorial look. ‘Although having it in the cathedral was a bit much, if you ask me, considering the baby won’t even remember it.’

  ‘I don’t think Emily is the one who’s meant to remember it,’ Sadie said diplomatically. ‘And how do you enjoy working for Daniel? Is he a good boss?’

  ‘The best,’ Elizabeth said instantly. ‘Although I would say that, wouldn’t I?’

  Her giggle was infectious; Sadie realised she liked her a lot.

  ‘And he obviously dotes on you and your little girl,’ the other woman went on. ‘He never stops talking about you. I don’t know how he’s going to cope with all these nights away he’s got coming up.’

  ‘Nights away?’ Sadie repeated, frowning.

  Elizabeth clapped one hand over her mouth. ‘Hasn’t he told you? Oh, bugger.’

  Sadie shifted uncomfortably and took a long sip of too-warm champagne. ‘He might have mentioned them,’ she lied. ‘When is the first one again?’

  ‘Next month,’ Elizabeth said. ‘But I’m sure Daniel will give you the details himself. It’s probably slipped his mind, that’s all.’

  The trouble was that this was how his affair with Emma had begun, Sadie thought miserably, with sudden nights away and a lack of communication about where he’d be. But Elizabeth wasn’t to know that. And besides, Emma had moved away. She wasn’t a threat any more.

  ‘I’m sure you’re right,’ Sadie said, summoning up what she hoped was a carefree smile. ‘He’s got a memory like a sieve someti
mes.’

  Daniel found her sometime later, sitting at one of the tables on the edge of the grass, watching Lissy play with her balloon dinosaur. He’d loosened his tie and his gaze was soft as he sat beside Sadie. ‘Have you had enough?’

  ‘Yes,’ she answered truthfully.

  He laughed. ‘Honest, at least. I’m sorry to drag you along – has it been as bad as you expected?’

  This time, Sadie shook her head. ‘No. I had a lovely chat with Elizabeth – she’s nice.’ She paused, and then hurried on before she lost her nerve. ‘I hear you’re going to be working away.’

  Daniel frowned. ‘Am I? Oh, you mean next month? It’s just the odd night, here and there. I’ve been roped in to advise on a merger down in London, that’s all.’ He studied her with concern. ‘It’s no big deal. I was going to tell you.’

  Sadie swallowed. She was being paranoid. ‘I – I need the dates to make sure I sort things out at Smart Cookies. You know how busy we are.’

  He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. ‘Of course. I’ll dig them out of my diary as soon as we get home.’

  ‘Okay,’ Sadie said. She gazed at Lissy for a few moments, trying to quell the lingering sense of unease in her stomach.

  ‘Listen, I’ve been thinking,’ Daniel said, taking her hand. ‘Lissy spends a lot of time on her own and I’m not sure it’s good for her.’

  ‘No, she doesn’t,’ Sadie said, stung. ‘One of us is always with her.’

  He ran one hand through his hair. ‘That’s not what I mean. She doesn’t have anyone else to play with. And we’re back together again now – things seem to be going pretty well – so I wondered if . . . whether it was time to think about . . .’

  He trailed off awkwardly, firing a hopeful look her way, and all of a sudden she knew exactly what he meant. ‘A baby,’ she said slowly. ‘You want another baby.’

  His eyes lit up. ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful? A brother or sister for Lissy, although obviously she’d prefer a brontosaurus, but what do you think?’ He paused to give her a tentative smile. ‘Isn’t it time?’

  No, Sadie wanted to tell him. No, it was not time. Things might be better between them but they were a long way from perfect. And then there was the business she was building with Cat; there was no way Sadie could abandon that for a year to look after a baby, no matter how much Daniel wanted one. Her gaze lurched wildly around the party and came to rest on Lissy’s auburn curls once more. But now wasn’t the right time to tell Daniel that.