Page 59

Almost as soon as the landline stopped ringing, Jake’s mobile started.

‘Coincidence?’ Evelyn gave him a quizzical look as he checked the called ID.

‘Nick.’ He swiped his finger across the screen. ‘Hey mate, what’s up?’ His eyes widened as he listened to what his best friend was saying. ‘Are you sure about this? Wow. That’s amazing. No, no, I’m with them now. Hang on, let me put you on loudspeaker.’

Nick’s voice was slightly tinny as it reverberated around the table. ‘Hey all. So, Summer, I’ve got an important question for you. How would you like to be on TV?’

She squealed with excitement.

‘I’ll take that as a yes.’ Jake could hear the grin in his friend’s voice.

‘She’s currently dancing around the kitchen,’ Jake confirmed.

‘Yes, yes, yes! I’m going to be famous!’

‘How on earth did you manage this so quickly?’ Evelyn leaned forward to speak into the phone. As she did, her top pulled tight, and was tugged lower in a way that made it really hard for Jake to concentrate, and he had to fight to look away.

‘I work fast. And my brilliant wife has called in a few of her contacts too.’

‘She’s a journalist,’ Jake explained for the benefit of the others.

‘She also asked me to tell you that you can consider this the repayment of that favour she owed you.’

‘More than happy with that.’ Jake grinned. ‘Summer’s worth it.’

Evelyn gave him a smile that was worth more than a million favours owed by friends.

‘Right-ho. I’ve got more stuff to send out, and will leave you to enjoy what’s left of your day. I just wanted to let you know the good news. And hear your reactions. I’ll keep you updated.’

‘Thanks, mate.’

‘Thank you, Nick!’ Summer blew kisses at the phone.

‘Yes, thank you so much.’ Linda and Evelyn echoed the shared sentiments as Jake ended the call.

‘So was it a big favour?’

‘No, not really.’ Jake lied a little, underplaying that the favour Claudia had owed him related to his saving their wedding day with quick thinking, and an even quicker trip to find the registrar and get them to the hidden country retreat where Nick and Claudia had finally said their vows – just a few minutes later than planned. Remembering the day, and his best friends declaring their eternal love for each other gave him a warm feeling, and he couldn’t help smiling at Evelyn and hoping that one day he’d find the courage to tell her how he felt.

Linda must have noticed the look on his face, because she held her hand out to Summer. ‘Come on, you. I think it’s time to take Tilly for a … saunter.’

‘A saunter?’ Jake was curious about the hesitation.

‘She’s really clever,’ Summer explained. ‘If you use the other word, even if you spell it, she knows what it means.’

‘And we try not to get her too excited too soon,’ Evelyn added. ‘Until shoes and coats are on, it’s not fair to tease her. When it comes to … meanders, she’s not very patient.’

Jake thought about meandering hand in hand with Evelyn at a glorious sunset and decided he didn’t blame Tilly one bit for being impatient.

As soon as the front door closed, Evelyn started to bustle around the kitchen, clearing the plates and generally trying to find any reason not to look at Jake. Kissing him outside the council meeting had been a mistake, but she’d been so happy and relieved, and it had been so natural to throw her arms around him and kiss him that she hadn’t even thought about it. It was the moment that her brain had interfered that everything had gone wrong, and she started doubting everything, and questioning Jake.

As if reading her thoughts, he stepped up behind her. ‘I kind of feel like we were interrupted earlier.’ Even though he was a few inches away from her, she could feel his warmth against her back, and it took everything in her to not lean back against him and let him slip his strong, comforting arms around her. It would have been so easy to relax her guard for a few moments, and let him take some of the pain away.

But she didn’t know how to do it. It had been easier when Summer was still healthy, and she didn’t have to think about hospital trips, treatments that compromised immune systems and infection risks. But after last time, she couldn’t take the risk, with Summer’s health, or her own heart. So instead she focussed on rubbing the grease and different sauces off the plates.

‘Evelyn.’ Jake’s hand caught hers as she reached for the dishcloth. ‘What is it you’re not telling me?’

‘Nothing, I’m fine,’ she lied, hoping he would back off.