‘Ah, look what the wind’s brought in!’ he called.
I put my gifts down and rounded the counter to hug him. ‘Alf, are you okay?’
‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ he snapped as he folded his broadsheet into a tiny lump. ‘Never been better, despite these three crones molly-coddling me all the time.’
Beverly clapped him on the back lightly. ‘You love it!’
He shrugged.
‘I’ve missed you lot,’ I cried, hugging them all. ‘Here, I’ve brought something for you. Anchor Beer for you, Alf. See’s chocolate for you, Carol; saltwater taffy for Deirdre; and some Napa Valley wine for Bev.’
‘Spot on!’ cackled Alf with satisfaction. ‘Thank you, luv.’
He seemed okay to me, but I did detect a sliver of worry on the trio’s jolly faces.
‘Oh my word, I’ve never seen so much luxury,’ Deirdre said as they went through all the bounty. ‘And you thought of us!’
‘Of course!’ I exclaimed. ‘You are my family.’
‘What did you get Emma and Jack?’ Bev asked, and Deirdre elbowed her. ‘That’s not polite to ask. Thank you, pet, for all this. We’ll make sure Alf doesn’t go through it in one night!’
I leaned forward and looked my ladies in the eye. ‘You call me if there’s anything… I mean anything, okay?’
They slid a glance towards Alf, who was checking the label of his beer, and nodded. ‘Don’t you worry, pet, he’s in and out of it as the days go by. We’ve got the number for Brian’s surgery just in case, but we will keep you posted should, uhm… you know.’
‘Okay. Thank you. I mean anything, remember. I’m here for you.’
Deirdre swiped at a tear as usual, and gently nudged me towards the shelves. ‘Go do your shop, pet. You’ve got a busy day, I assume.’
‘That I have,’ I agreed. ‘Apparently I have to resuscitate my old website. That’ll be interesting, seeing as I have no techie skills whatsoever. But how about we meet for cakes and tea at Old Nellie’s sometime this week?’
‘Ooh.’ Carol clapped her hands. ‘A chance to get away from the ogre, yes, please!’
But Alf didn’t hear her, or was simply ignoring her, so I took a basket and grabbed my milk, eggs, bread, fruit and veg.
The rest of the day was spent in total, lazy bliss just basking in the warmth of a bright, shiny future.
At five o’clock I started dinner, looking out the window for any sign of Jack. He was the only one to use the door into the kitchen, which was usually where he would find whatever it was that needed fixing.
After dinner, while we polished off our desserts and sipped our coffees, Jack snapped his fingers. ‘Oh, Nina, before I forget—’ he said, pulling his mobile phone out. Was he going to show me a picture of his hot date? I wondered if he’d run her past Emma, at least. He did nothing without our approval, this one.
‘About your website…’
‘What about it?’ I said as I topped up our coffees.
‘The Ice Cream Ladies mentioned you might need a hand, so I looked it up. NinaConte.com is a shambles. So I’ve done a dummy page for you, just to see if you like it.’
I put our mugs back onto the table, my eyes scanning the screen. It was gorgeous and delicious, like cupcakes of the brightest colours. He’d used the perfect font, the right tone; it was rich and yet linear.
I scrolled down and checked my menu as I sat back in satisfaction. ‘This is amazing!’
‘Thank you. So is the writer.’
‘How am I ever going to get even with your kindnesses if you keep topping them up?’
He grinned, showing a slightly crooked incisor, which only added to his charm. ‘Silly sausage.’
‘I’m serious, Jack. You are always there for me, and what do I do for you? What can I do for you apart from a stupid dinner?’
‘There is one thing you could do for me, Nina,’ he said. ‘You could smile more. Enjoy your life.’
I didn’t even need to think about that one now. ‘I will,’ I promised him. ‘You’re the best, Jack.’
‘I know.’
16
A New Life
After two weeks, I still hadn’t yet received my contract in the mail. ‘Chloe, are you and Jessica still voice-messaging each other?’
‘Yeah, why?’
Is her dad still alive? And does the postal service still work in that country? I wanted to ask.
‘Nothing, just wondering.’
Ben came to put his arms around me. ‘It’ll come soon, Mum, don’t worry.’
‘Thank you, my darling.’
‘By the way, Mum, I promised Jack I’d help him with a project of his. Can I go over there after tea from now on?’ he asked.
‘Every day? What about your homework, darling?’ As if I needed to ask.
‘I always finish my homework at school. Is it all right if I go?’
His need to be with a male role model, one that I couldn’t ultimately provide, stabbed me in the heart. But I was also grateful to Jack. I smiled. ‘Of course you can go, love.’
‘Thanks, Mum! Jack’s right. You are a star!’
I laughed. ‘Have you two nothing better to talk about than your mother?’
‘Sure we have. We talk about motors, and we build things together.’
‘Build things? Like what?’
‘Last month he showed me how to build a water clock! There are sixty cups that take sixty seconds to fill, and when the first one empties into the second, the next minute strikes. It’s amazing!’
‘Oh, that sounds unbelievable, Ben! Can I come round and have a look?’
‘Not until we’re done!’ he warned me.
I laughed and folded him in my arms and he pressed his face into my neck.
‘I love you, Mum!’ he chimed as Chloe rolled her eyes and went back to her mobile phone. Ben was like that, honest in his affections, and unheeding of what people thought.
‘Oh, my darling boy, I love you more!’
‘Get over yourselves, you two,’ Chloe muttered.
‘Sweetheart, I’ve been meaning to ask you,’ I said, turning to Chloe. ‘You haven’t sent Chanel any pictures of Luke’s daughter
