Happy Birthday, Alex.
This time, Mel had not encouraged the making of too much of a fuss. She suspected Alex wouldn't like anything bordering on over-the-top. He hadn't told anyone, after all. They'd just happened to see it in some paperwork.

But it seemed only right to do something. So she'd baked an apple pie and some cheesey quiches. And she let the scent waft through the building.