‘You… you look pale,’ he said.
My hands went to my face. ‘Do I? I’m all right, just tired, really.’
He continued to study me, and I wanted to say something – anything – but was afraid to ruin the moment.
‘How are the kids?’ he asked, his large hands still wrapped around the bag of sliced bread.
And what about me, I wanted to ask, but didn’t dare.
‘Oh, same old, same old.’
‘And Minnie and Callie?’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Always the attention-seekers.’
He chuckled, and his long lashes fanned his cheeks.
‘They miss you, too, Jack.’ And I miss you. Desperately, I wanted to add, but it stuck in my throat. I miss the laughs and the jokes and feeling safe with you nearby, knowing you were a holler away, day or night. And now, you’re not my friend anymore, at least not how we used to be, and you very probably are becoming serious with your mysterious girl and I…
He caressed his chin as he always did when he was embarrassed. ‘I, uhm, have to run, Nina. Take care of yourself.’
‘You too, Jack,’ I answered. And then, because fortune favours the brave, I bit the bullet. Just like that. If you don’t ask…
‘Would you… come over for dinner, or a coff—?’ I began, but he had already moved back up the aisle, out of my reach, and halted only briefly, a look of sadness in his eyes as he turned away to pay at the till.
I rounded the shelf, out of sight, and tried to compose myself. This was ridiculous. So we’d had a misunderstanding. We’d be friends again one day. Also because in Penworth Ford, there was no one else to talk to.
Outside, I opened the door and sat in my car, waiting for Jack to drive off, as I didn’t want to appear to be following him.
When his SUV took off I turned on the ignition. But of course, the car didn’t bloody start. I looked up, watching with a sinking heart as Jack’s tail lights disappeared in the distance. In the old days, he’d have waited for me to catch up, or let me go first, as the gentleman that he was. I debated whether to call him on my mobile for help as he was only a minute ahead of me. He knew Lottie better than any mechanic. But then I realised I’d have to explain to Luke why I had called Jack and not him, so, slumped in my seat, I watched him disappear and, unable to control myself, bawled my eyes out.
‘I was about to come and get you,’ Luke said when I got in an hour later after finally getting the car started and driving around the village ten times, too red-eyed to be seen by Luke. ‘What happened, did you bake the bread yourself?’
I turned from the door. ‘Oh. I… had to call the garage.’
‘I don’t know why you don’t scrap that piece of junk and get yourself a new one,’ he said.
A new car? I didn’t even have the will to snort inwardly. I could barely afford to get this one even looked at. Luke was completely oblivious to my situation, despite the fact that I’d told him the script was what would save me financially. And here he was, dragging his heels. Just like Phil was dragging the divorce. I was sick and tired of depending on a man to get my own life into gear. First Phil, and then Luke. Only Jack had never left me hanging. He had always been there when I needed him. Except for now, when I needed him most.
‘Nina?’
‘Yes?’
‘Where’s the bread?’
I stared at him, and for the second time in an hour, I burst into tears.
He drew me into his arms. ‘Nina, baby, it’s okay. I know what’s worrying you. You think I’m going to get pulled in by Lauren’s charms now that she’s moving back to LA. Well, let me make this clear right here and now. You won’t lose me, sweets. I love you.’
At that, I began to howl. I had a man like Luke who loved me. And I loved him back. So what the hell was wrong with me?
32
Revenge
‘Nina?’ Luke called up the stairs the next day. ‘I have got some business to tend to in Exeter. I’ll be back late tonight, will you be okay with Jessica?’
I poked my head over the banister. ‘Oh? Okay. I didn’t know…’
‘Neither did I, but he’s a producer I’ve always wanted to work with.’
‘Okay. Any special instructions regarding Jess?’
He looked up as he put on his jacket, tossing his keys from one hand to the other. ‘Just don’t let you know who anywhere near her in case she comes back. I trust you completely. I’m sorry but I have to do this. I’ll let you know how it goes, okay?’
‘Okay, good luck, then!’ I called, but he was already out the door. No doubt about it, when Hollywood called, Hollywood got an answer. And a quick one at that.
Luckily I had planned a nice afternoon with the kids blind-building with Ben’s Lego set. We would all choose something to build like a house, or a tower, and then, blindfolded, we would have to assemble it. I already knew that Jessica was going to win this one, and giving her a head start filled me with joy. Besides, it was a rainy day and I didn’t fancy traipsing along the coastal path in my Mac and wellies.
As we were finishing up, the crunch of gravel made me turn to the front window. It couldn’t possibly be Luke so soon, also because he usually parked where I could see his car. Could it possibly be… Jack?
I got up, my heart in my throat, as I opened the door.
‘Are you alone? I need to talk to you.’
I sagged in disappointment. The last person I needed to see. Lauren. I thought she’d left England.
‘Luke’s
