The bell above the bakery door jingled softly as Lily stepped inside, greeted by the warm scent of cinnamon and freshly baked bread. Martha, busy frosting a dozen cupcakes, looked up and grinned. “Late again, are you? I swear those croissants were calling your name,” Martha teased, setting down her spatula. “Had to stop Mrs. Whitaker’s garden; her begonias are in full bloom—had to see them for myself,” Lily replied, wringing her apron. “Besides, I brought you something.” She pulled out a tiny, wrapped package. “Thought these might cheer you up.” Martha’s eyes lit as she carefully unwrapped it. Inside was a delicate lavender sachet. “Oh, Lily, this is lovely! Just what I need to keep the old baking smell at bay,” she said with a smile. “But I hear you’ve got trouble at the town hall?” Lily nodded, eyeing a tray of scones cooling on the rack. “Sam’s worried about the missing ledger. Says someone’s been sneakily copying pages. If it gets out, it could ruin everything.” Martha sighed, brushing flour from her apron. “Well, if anyone can crack the case over a cup of tea and a good slice of lemon cake, it’s you.”