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Evelyn smoothed her daughter’s hair flat against the pillow. ‘You know what, I think you might be right.’

‘I know I am,’ Summer replied sleepily. ‘You tell me not to be scared. That I have to be brave. Why do I have to be brave if you don’t?’

Jake pounded the pavement as he turned the corner back to the surgery, forcing his legs to work harder to maintain his speed as he started up the slope that would take him home. Sweat trickled between his shoulder blades and the muscles in his legs complained, but it was worth it to leave some of his frustrations pounded into the ground.

He jumped in the shower as soon as he got home, and tried to wash the thoughts of Evelyn down the drain with the sweat and soap suds, but the efforts seemed futile. Nothing really kept thoughts of her at bay.

The hammering at his door had him racing out of the bathroom, hopping as he dragged his trousers on and ran to open the door. At this time of night, and with that amount of noise, he was expecting it to be an emergency.

He flung the door open, and felt his heart step up a notch when he saw Evelyn standing at the top of his stairs.

‘Hi.’

‘Hi.’ She grinned back, her eyes wandering down his still damp chest. ‘OK if I come in?’

‘Always.’ He stood aside. ‘Is everything all right? Summer, Tilly, your mum?’

‘Everyone’s fine,’ Evelyn reassured him.

‘I should go and finish drying off.’

‘You could. Or …’

‘Or?’ He felt his eyebrow, and something else, raise.

‘Or you could come here and kiss me.’

‘Yes ma’am.’ Jake’s eyes lit up with happiness and hunger as he stepped towards her and slipped his arms around her waist. He teased a trail of kisses down her neck, making her squirm with delight, before placing a sweet kiss on the tip of her nose. ‘Not that I’m complaining, but I do want to know. Is this just a booty call?’

Evelyn burst out laughing. ‘A booty call? Does anyone even call them that any more?’ She struggled to be serious, until Jake leaned down and kissed her firmly, driving the laughter from her lips. ‘This is me trying to be brave, and telling you that I want some fun and joy in my life. I’m trying to let you in, Jake, but I’m still scared.’

He gave her another sweet kiss. ‘Maybe I can help with that.’

‘I think I need it.’ Evelyn stood on tiptoes and drew Jake down so she could kiss him, gently at first, but then with growing passion as he pulled her tightly against him.

Evelyn stretched and smiled, luxuriating in the warmth of waking up next to Jake. The sun dappled through the hastily drawn curtains and painted patterns across her eyelids.

‘I can feel that, you know.’ She didn’t open her eyes, not wanting to break the peaceful spell in the room, and admit that it was morning.

‘Feel what?’

‘You looking at me.’ She let her eyelids flutter open, and her smile stretched even wider at the sight of Jake propped up on an elbow and watching her. ‘How long have you been awake?’

‘Just a few minutes.’ He shrugged before leaning down to brush a kiss against her lips. ‘You know what I think? I think brave is good. I like this fun brave version of you.’

‘I definitely agree.’ Evelyn kissed him back, before flopping back against the pillows happily. ‘What’s the time?’

‘I don’t know.’ He tapped the clock on the bedside table, making the face light up, and pulled a face. ‘Wow, it’s nearly nine. Must be something about you, I never usually sleep this late.’

‘Well, I guess you were tired.’ She grinned and wriggled closer to him. ‘Maybe you wore yourself out.’

‘Hmm, can’t imagine how.’ He snaked an arm around her waist. ‘Have you anywhere you need to be for a while?’

‘Not until later when I’m meeting Nick to prep for Summer’s interview.’

‘He invited me too. I hope that’s all right.’ The nervous look in his eyes was so endearing that Evelyn felt her worries melt away a bit more. They weren’t gone completely, but they were starting to fade a little.

‘Of course it is. None of this would be happening without you. I owe you a lot.’