Cupcakes and Killer Heels by Heidi Rice Page B

gables and ramparts and the huge mullioned windows, the stone mansion looked like a cross between Cinderella’s castle and the feverish imaginings of some mad Victorian architect. Ruby had first spotted the place as they wound their way up the coast road. Perched on the cliff, the gothic edifice looked dramatic and forbidding. But up close, Ruby noticed the welcoming touches—the flower-drenched boxes on the sills, the red glow of the dying sun sparkling on the sandstone, the fresh scent of sea salt and newly mown grass, and the Barbie scooter discarded on the front step—that turned the fairytale castle into a family home.
    ‘How long has your sister lived here?’ she asked as she stepped onto the gravel.
    ‘Since she met Rye,’ Cal remarked as he yanked their bags out of the back seat.
    ‘And that would be when?’ Ruby prompted.
    ‘A few years ago.’ He slammed the car’s back door.
    Ruby waited for him to say more. But he skirted the car in silence.
    This was getting ridiculous. She’d dozed on and off throughout the journey, noticing each time she woke up that Cal seemed more and more tense and less and less talkative. She’d decided not to hold it against him, guessing he had to be as exhausted as she was after their all-nighter—and he’d had to do all the driving, because he was a tad precious about his new car. But honestly, what was the big secret?
    ‘Are Maddy and her family part of a witness protection programme?’ she asked, smiling sweetly as she held out her hand for her luggage. ‘Because getting you to talk about them is harder than cracking the Enigma code.’
    ‘Ha, ha,’ he said, but still didn’t elaborate.
    Instead of handing Ruby her bag, he tucked it under his arm, held his own and placed his free palm on the small of her back.
    ‘I’ve got them,’ he said, directing her towards the front door. ‘Believe me, you’re going to need both hands when you meet Maddy,’ he added cryptically.
    Ruby had only a moment to debate that before a slim young woman wearing a pair of denim cut-offs and a worn T-shirt burst through the front door. ‘Cal, you made it.’ Flinging her arms round Cal’s neck, she bounced up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. ‘At last.’
    ‘Hello, Maddy,’ he said as she bounced back down and turned to Ruby. ‘This is Ruby.’
    ‘Ruby! This is fantastic,’ she declared, grasping Ruby’s hand in both of hers. ‘It’s great to meet you.’
    The woman’s eyes, the same striking emerald shade as Cal’s, warmed with excitement and avid curiosity. ‘I hope you didn’t mind me strong-arming Cal into visiting. It’s just Mia’s really attached to him. And it’s her birthday tomorrow.’
    ‘That’s absolutely fine,’ Ruby said, feeling uncomfortable at Maddy’s enthusiasm. It hadn’t really occurred to her that they’d be deceiving Cal’s sister by pretending to be a couple. The woman had greeted her as if she were someone significant, when she knew she wasn’t.
    ‘Where is Mia?’ Cal asked.
    ‘She crashed out about an hour ago. Thank goodness,’ Maddy said as she led them into the house. ‘When she heard you were definitely coming for her birthday she went into hyper-drive.’ Maddy beamed at them both as she pushed open a door into a huge kitchen-dining room, which had a picture window that looked out onto the cliffs and bathed the room in natural light. ‘Having her favourite uncle visit and a birthday party all in the same weekend is basically the definition of too much of a good thing for a three-year-old.’
    ‘I’m her only uncle,’ Cal remarked.
    ‘Rye’s checking on Mia,’ Maddy said, ignoring the blunt comment. ‘But I hope you haven’t had supper yet. We held dinner for you.’
    ‘No, we haven’t,’ Ruby answered when Cal remained silent. ‘I know you weren’t expecting me. I hope I’m not imposing.’
    ‘Don’t be silly. It’s wonderful to have you here.’ She waved the comment away. ‘And I adore cooking. I’m