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Chapter Six

Jake inhaled the warm, homely scents of roasting meat and spiced apple pudding as he hung up his jacket and put away his keys. When he was younger, he’d often complained about these enforced monthly gatherings, wanting to spend his Sundays in a pub with his friends, or with whatever girlfriend had been the feature at the time. But now he understood his mum’s point of view, and why she’d fought so hard to get them all together, at least once a month, along with whatever friends, relatives and stragglers she gathered. It was too easy to let a few busy days turn into weeks and suddenly months could drift by without seeing some of the people who meant most to you.

He surprised himself by wondering what Evelyn and Summer would make of these haphazard gatherings, then shook his head at his own foolishness. He’d only just convinced Evelyn to go on a date with him, and here he was planning introductions to his family.

‘Uncle Jakey!’ Footsteps raced across the hardwood floors and a small, warm body slammed into him.

‘Hi Sarah!’ He grabbed his niece as she flung herself at him and threw her up in the air, making her squeal with delight. He tossed her over his shoulder and held her there, squirming and giggling as he headed to the kitchen.

‘Someone lost something?’ He grinned at Callum, his older brother.

‘Nah, don’t think so.’

‘Shall I keep it then?’ He tickled Sarah until she wriggled so much he had to fight to hold on to her.

‘Put her down before you drop her.’ His mother rolled her eyes as she kissed him on the cheek. In almost the exact same spot where Evelyn’s lips had landed earlier that week. He’d tried to call her the day before, but had to settle with leaving a message. But he could be patient. He understood she’d been through a lot lately, and appreciated that she needed time to come to terms with it all. And he would wait for as long as she needed.

‘Jake?’ His mother was calling him. ‘I asked how your week has been?’

‘Sorry.’ He dropped the squirming Sarah carefully to the floor. ‘I’m miles away.’

‘I can see that. Anything I can help with?’

‘Hmm?’ he replied, still distracted.

‘It’s got to be a girl.’ He hadn’t even noticed his sister, Kimberly, sitting in the corner folding napkins. ‘Look at the silly look on his face.’

Sarah gasped up at him. ‘Have you got a girlfriend, Uncle Jakey?’

‘Yeah, have you got a girlfriend, Uncle Jakey?’ his brother mimicked.

‘Knock it off, Cal.’ Jake shot him a glare over his daughter’s head, before bending down. ‘You know, Sarah, men and women can be friends.’

‘Yeah, but they can be girlfriend and boyfriend too.’

‘What do you know about girlfriends and boyfriends?’

‘I’ve got a boyfriend.’ Sarah poked out her tongue. ‘His name’s James and we hold hands and sit together and he lets me eat his crisps at lunch. He says my hair is pretty.’

‘It is pretty.’ He patted her on her silky, dark head while he shot a look at his brother. ‘A boyfriend?’ He mouthed the words at Callum, who just shrugged.

‘Enough about boyfriends and girlfriends and who has them and who doesn’t.’ Mum wiped her hands on her apron. ‘I’m dishing up. Sarah, go see if your granddad has finished in the garden and tell him dinner is ready.’

‘Yes, Granny.’ She skipped off happily.

‘Speaking of boyfriends, where’s Jon?’ Jake shot the question at Kimberly. ‘I was looking forward to seeing him.’

‘Don’t even talk to me about that arse-hat,’ Kimberly all but growled.

‘OK, OK.’ He held his hands up in defeat. ‘Sorry for speaking.’

‘Sorry too.’ She shrugged. ‘Just a bit raw still.’

‘Aww, sis.’ Jake gave her a big hug, and let her rest her head on his shoulder. ‘Do you want me to beat him up?’

‘No violence that could end you up in jail please.’ Their Mum spoke as she pulled a sizzling pan of roast potatoes out of the oven. ‘Plus, I’m disappointed in you. You’re a vet. Surely you have access to lots of disgusting things. You shouldn’t need to resort to violence.’

‘True,’ he agreed with a laugh. ‘You want me to put a flaming bag of crap on his doorstep? You know I’d do it for you.’