The Bake Off by Susan Willis Read Free Book Online Page B

house and how staid her life had become. The trendy apartment sounded new and exciting and she knew she’d move in with him tomorrow without a moment’s hesitation.
    All too soon David was bidding them goodnight and stood up to leave. ‘I’ll see you all again next week at the final. Make sure you give your recipes a great deal of thought. It’s what we call the showstopper round where we’ll be looking for the most impressive creations that taste first class. It’ll be the biggest test of your skill and talent and I know the guest judge will be looking for professional standards in both appearance and flavour.’
    Simon nodded. ‘I don’t suppose you’ll tell us the name of the judge that’s coming?’
    ‘Now, Simon. You know I can’t do that – it’s top secret. But prepare to be amazed,’ he said as he walked towards the door.
    Thomas followed David out, and Nicola sipped her drink thoughtfully. ‘It has to be something sensational,’ she said, and Simon nodded in agreement. They both mentioned recipes they’d tried many times before and new ones they’d read in magazines but didn’t come up with anything conclusive.
    Simon said, ‘I suppose we shouldn’t be talking about recipes as we are in competition with each other but as I’m going home to an empty house I’ve no one else to mull it over with.’
    Nicola smiled. He was such an easy man to talk to, she thought, and the one thing she loved about Simon was that he was a good listener. ‘Same here. But I’ll be ringing Jay when I get home. Although he usually tells me to bake all his own favourites, like the chocolate torte…’
    ‘Well, for once he was right. You must be very proud of him.’
    ‘Oh, I am. He’s doing a law degree and has worked so hard. Even though his dad left in the middle of his school exams he didn’t let it affect his studies. He’s definitely my blue-eyed boy,’ she said smiling, and knowing that if Jay could hear he’d be cringing.
    Simon stood up to leave and Nicola drained her glass. ‘I’m just going to nip into the ladies’ before I drive home,’ she said.
    He bent down towards her and pecked her on the cheek. ‘Thanks, Nicola. And I’ll see you next week…’
    ***
    She nearly ran into the toilets in her hurry to remove the Spanx knickers and when she rolled them down to her ankles tears of sheer relief weren’t far away. Feeling reckless, she laughed, removed them completely, and stuffed them in her handbag. Giggling at the thought of being involved in an accident and taken to hospital wearing no knickers – she ran out towards the car park.
     

 
    The Final of The Bake Off
     
    Just before seven o’clock the following Saturday morning, Nicola was sitting calmly in the hospitality room waiting for day of the finals to begin. They’d been told to be there early because the day’s filming could take longer with the award ceremony scheduled for two o’clock. Thankfully, it was a drizzly morning and much cooler than the previous weeks and she’d chosen to dress comfortably, without the Spanx knickers, in loose brown trousers and a cream blouse. She had, however, bought herself a padded plunge bra. She knew she’d never have the cleavage that Gemma had but leaving the top two buttons open on her blouse might just make them look more alluring.
    Her stomach fluttered with excited butterflies when she thought of seeing David again after their conversation in the pub about bedroom skills and she was hoping to take up where they’d left off. Surely, she mused, sipping her coffee, if she won the bake off he’d want to see her again and take their relationship further?
    ‘Morning, Simon,’ she called when she saw him enter the room. ‘I’ve got you a coffee.’
    Simon plopped down next to her and smiled his thanks. ‘Lovely. I’m desperate for this today. That bloody fox has got at my chickens again through the night and I’ve lost two of them!’
    Nicola gasped and muttered, ‘Oh no, the poor