The recipe for success

Matchmaker Sally is sure she has found the ideal man for her friend Beth

Munching a chocolate brownie, Sally said: “You’re turning into a hermit, you know. You’ll become a sad old spinster if you’re not careful.” “Oh, thanks!” Beth laughed. “I’m only in my 30s and anyway, being a spinster isn’t such a sad thing.”

“If I were you, I’d be chatting up Him Upstairs,” Sally said.

“Well, you’re not me,” Beth replied, rather crossly.

Him Upstairs was the tenant who had moved into the flat above hers. Sally seemed to think he’d be the ideal boyfriend for Beth who was unlikely to meet Mr Right now she was working from home. “He’s very dishy,” Sally teased. They were interrupted by a loud ring on the doorbell.

“Any chance I could borrow some milk?” Him Upstairs asked, holding out a jug.

Beth blushed self-consciously while Sally leaped to grab the jug. “Of course you can!” she beamed. “Come in and have a coffee while I get you some.” She almost dragged the poor man into the kitchen.

“I’m Sally and this is Beth,” she said, helpfully pointing at her friend so there could be no mistake.

“Er, I’m Max,” he said as he was propelled into a chair to be greeted energetically by Sally’s dog, Scoobie.

“Down, Scoobie!” she commanded, trying to remove the Scottie from Max’s lap.

“He’s okay!” Max laughed and asked: “Have you tried putting nuts in those brownies?”

Sally hooted with laughter. “I didn’t make them! Beth’s the cook around here and this is her flat, not mine.”

“Ah, so you’re responsible for the tempting aromas that waft up to my flat?”

Beth coloured and squirmed with embarrassment: “I’m so sorry! I didn’t think…”

“Hey, it’s not a problem. I love cooking, too, so I’m just curious about what you’re making that smells so good.”

Sally butted in: “Well, in that case you must come for dinner! Mustn’t he, Beth?” She grinned brightly at Beth who responded with a hard stare.

“That would be nice,” he smiled, looking at Sally. “Sorry, I didn’t catch your name?”

“She’s Sally,” Beth said quickly. “And she’ll come, too. How about Saturday?”

“Great,” Max said. “I’ll bring the dessert.”

Over his head, Sally glared at Beth. She hadn’t intended the dinner to include her. Through gritted teeth, she said: “Fine. I’ll bring the wine.” “Wonderful,” said Beth. On Saturday, Max arrived with

‘Over Max’s head, Sally glared at Beth. She hadn’t intended to be invited too’

a raspberry Pavlova which he put in the fridge.

“Wow, something smells delicious,” he said. The two of them had become friendly since they’d found they had a love of cooking in common, but Beth hadn’t told Sally this or she was

bound to jump to the wrong conclusion and say something silly like, ‘I knew you were totally destined for each other’!

To make it a foursome, Max had invited his friend Jack, but she hadn’t told Sally that either.

“That Pavlova looks perfect,” Beth said.

“I love making puddings,” said Jack.

“And I’m the opposite,” Beth laughed.

“A match made in Heaven then!” a voice called from the doorway. Sally had arrived, laden with wine, and behind her was a cheerfullooking man clutching a bunch of flowers.

“Jack, come in. Meet Sally and Beth,” Max said.

Sally stood in the hallway giving her friend an enquiring look that meant ‘and where did HE come from?’

“Right,” said Beth. “You two, out of the kitchen while Max and I finish preparing the starters. Sally, please show Jack where he can hang his coat.”

Sally didn’t need to be told twice – she grabbed Jack and steered him out of the room, giving Beth a big thumbs up behind his back.

When they had gone, Max asked: “Is Sally alright? She seems a bit jittery.”

Beth laughed: “Well, first, I didn’t tell her you’d invited a friend and secondly, she’s an incurable matchmaker and is determined to get you and me together. No offence to you, Max, but I am actually perfectly happy on my own.”

“Ah, that would explain the funny looks she keeps giving me,” Max said, adding casually: “Doesn’t she have a boyfriend then?”

“Sadly, not since her fiancé dumped her just before their wedding. It’s taken her a long time to get over it, although she is still a hopeless romantic when it comes to other people.”

“Poor Sally,” Max murmured. “She’s really a very sweet girl.”

Later, Jack leaned back in his chair and announced: “I can’t eat another thing. Here’s to the chefs!” He and Sally raised their glasses.

Then Jack added: “And a toast to you, Sally, for being such great company.”

Beth and Max exchanged meaningful glances. Beth hadn’t seen her friend look so happy for a long time.

“Shall we do our bit by clearing away?” Jack suggested. Sally nodded, smiling dreamily back at him.

“Good idea!” Max exclaimed. “Max and I will just take Scoobie for a quick walk round the block,” Beth said, jumping up from the table.

“How long shall we give them?” she whispered as they bent to attach Scoobie’s lead.

“The rest of their lives, hopefully,” Max laughed. “Now, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you. Have you ever thought about starting a supper club?”

“You do the desserts?” Beth grinned.

“And you do the main courses,” Max replied.

“Sounds like the perfect combination,” she smiled, slipping her arm through his. “It could be the recipe for success. Come on, Scoobie. Walkies!”

Meet our author...

Hazel Jackson has lived in Herefordshire for 30 years and likes to write stories that she hopes leave the reader with a good feeling.

‘No offence to you, but I am actually perfectly happy on my own’