Annie Lyons - The Happiness List

And youre absolutely sure youre okay?

Gem, Im fine. Honestly.

Because I know that Mothers Day can be tricky.

When youre an orphan? asked Heather in a squeaky little-girl-lost voice.

You know what I mean, Heth. Remember the year you went AWOL.

That was three years ago. I was in a funny place.

Croydon, wasnt it? teased Gemma.

Exactly. You were selfishly on your honeymoon

Im sorry.

and so you should be. I was single, living in a dodgy flat in Thornton Heath, working at that school with the violent kids and depressed teachers. To be honest, it would have been some kind of miracle if I hadnt ended up falling-down drunk in the Wetherspoons on George Street.

The police had to take you home.

And they were utterly charming. Im not the first sad and lonely person to dance on a bar in Croydon and I doubt Ill be the last.

So youre not planning to jump on a tram and head over there today?

Gemma, those were pre-Luke, pre-engagement, pre-job in bakery, pre-lovely house on Hope Street days. Im happy now. H-A-P-P-Y. Plus Im planning to make the perfect New York cheesecake to welcome my perfect fianc home from his perfect business trip.

Sounds perfect.

You better believe it, baby.

So youre sure you dont want me to come over?

Gemma. This is your first Mothers Day as an actual mother. I appreciate you worrying about me and I love you dearly but you deserve to enjoy it with Freddy Fruitcake. How is my nutty godson by the way?

Absolutely bonkers, laughed Gemma. Heather smiled as she heard the adoration in her voice. I meant to say, were thinking of booking the christening for mid-May does that sound all right?

Sounds great and now you need to bugger off and enjoy your family time. Ill catch up with you in the week.

Okay. What times luscious Luke back?

Around eight. Now stop worrying and get lost, loser.

Love you.

Love you too.

Heather knew that New York Cheesecake was a risky thing to make for Luke the self-proclaimed world cheesecake authority and a native New Yorker to boot. She had decided to seek advice from Pamela Trott, who made cakes for Taylor-made the caf and bakery owned by Caroline and Oliver Taylor, where Heather worked. Pamela was an incredible baker, whilst also being one of the nosiest people Heather had ever met.

I remember your nan, Pamela had said, beaming at her when they first met six months earlier. Used to live two streets over from Hope Street. Lovely lady. Terrible gout. So youve decided to come back to your roots? Thats wonderful. And youre engaged to that nice American fellow?

Heather was astonished by Pamelas insight. From the look on her face she was about to explode with joy at the prospect of Heather getting married.

Awww, your mum would be so proud if she could see you now, God rest her soul. I was very sad to hear about your parents passing away. Your mum and I used to play out together sometimes when we were little, said Pamela fondly. Let me know if you need someone to bake the wedding cake Id be only too happy to help!

Heather had given a polite smile and made a mental note never to tell Pamela anything she didnt want the entire Hope Street community to know. She was, however, very keen to get her advice on baking. Shed practically swooned when she tasted Pamelas mango and passion fruit cheesecake.

The trick to the perfect New York cheesecake is patience, said Pamela sagely. You have to leave it to cool in the oven for two hours with the door shut and then leave it with the door ajar for another hour before you chill it.

Heather did as she was told and felt a thrill later that day as she peered into the oven at the pleasingly honey-coloured crust. She left the oven door open a fraction and went into the living room to distract herself with another episode of Orange Is the New Black .

She felt as restless as a child waiting for Christmas. Luke had been away in New York for five days now. These trips were becoming increasingly frequent but he assured her that it was a good thing. He worked for an American drinks company and the stakes were high; soda was a serious business but Luke was doing well, with two promotions in the past twelve months. If he put in the hours, he was on track for the top. Heather understood. Of course, shed like to see more of him but she wanted him to achieve the success he deserved.

Meanwhile, she had a job she enjoyed and a house she loved an Edwardian mid-terrace with dark wood floors, original fireplaces and self-cleaning skylights. She had bought it six months ago with money inherited from her parents an extravagant engagement present of which they would have certainly approved.

Heather settled on the sofa and caught sight of the last photograph of her with her parents. They were sitting at a caf in Cornwall during the summer, her father grinning, her mother laughing and Heather smiling at them because they were reacting to something shed said some silly joke or remark. She hadnt been able to look at that photo for years after her parents died, hadnt been able to accept the fact that they were no longer in the world. But now, sitting here in her beautiful house with her gorgeous fianc on his way home, she could smile at them and say, Hey, Mum, Dad I miss you but Im okay.

A while later, she went to the kitchen to transfer the cheesecake to the fridge and grinned. It looked perfect. She reached for her phone, ready to take a picture to post on Instagram.

The perfect New York cheesecake for my perfect New Yorker.

That should get a few likes. Unfortunately, she didnt have a tight enough grip on the tin and the whole thing toppled out of her grasp, falling upside down onto the floor. She stared in horror for a second before realizing that her phone was buzzing with a call. Luke . Confused, she flicked the screen to answer. Luke? Where are you?

Hey, gorgeous. Listen, I got bad news. Snow in NYC they grounded all the flights.

Oh.

Yeah, I know. Im sorry. We should get moving tomorrow but Ive no idea what time. Ill keep you posted.

Heather felt her cheeks burn with frustration. Its just disappointing, you know? Ive missed you.