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‘Is he spoken for?’
‘He’s widowed,’ said Nikki hastily, not wanting Jess to unleash her charms on Adam. Her sister was in a halter-neck dress spattered with red cherries: it would be impossible not to be knocked sideways by her.
‘Oh. Well, we have something in common, then.’ Jess eyed him from a distance. Adam was talking and laughing with everyone as they lined up for food, making sure their tacos were properly loaded, adding a squeeze of lime and a smattering of fresh coriander. He had on a beautifully laundered white shirt untucked over faded jeans, and pale grey suede Chelsea boots. His cuffs were undone, revealing a very nice Swiss watch.
Yet again, Nikki felt a shoot of warmth at the sight of him, like chilli in her veins.
‘I’m going to go and introduce myself,’ said Jess, and she sailed off, her dress swirling round her as she walked. Nikki turned and headed back into the living room, where Woody raised an eyebrow at her, as if to ask if she was OK. She raised her beer bottle to him with a smile, but she felt on edge. Was the blackmailer here, watching her, enjoying the power they had over her, knowing that she couldn’t possibly feel as relaxed as she was pretending to be, relishing the anticipation of their next move? She hated them for it. Hated their cruelty, their slow torture of her, the way their threats tainted her every waking hour.
And then she felt her mother’s cool hand on her cheek.
‘Darling, are you all right? You look awfully anxious.’
‘Oh – you know what it’s like to host a party. I’m just worrying whether everyone’s having a good time.’
‘Of course they are. It’s perfect. Just the right size and everything looks gorgeous and those tacos – that is one special neighbour.’ Helen gave her a knowing look.
‘Yes. He’s a very good cook.’ Nikki wasn’t going to be led into a debate about Adam’s qualities. Thankfully, her mum knew when not to push it.
‘By the way, I had a lunch date yesterday,’ she said instead.
‘With Ralph Potter?’
‘The very same.’
‘Why didn’t you say? Why didn’t you tell us?’
‘Because you’d have made me nervous. And because if he’d been awful, I didn’t want to have to tell anyone.’
‘So … ?’
‘He is absolutely lovely. Twinkly and kind and funny. We didn’t finish lunch till gone four. They had to throw us out of the pub.’
‘Oh my God, Mum. This is epic. You should have brought him tonight. You should have said.’
‘It’s far too early to throw him in at the deep end, poor man.’
‘When are you seeing him again?’
‘Tomorrow, actually. We’re going to Hestercombe House to look around the gardens and have tea. I know that doesn’t sound very thrilling but I’m really looking forward to it.’
‘Mum, I’m so happy for you.’
‘It’s early days. But he’s easy company.’
Her lovely mum, thought Nikki. She’d waited a long time for this. She had scooped them all up and gathered them to her, when William and Rik died, even though her own heart had been shattered. She had kept them close, kept them warm and safe, making sure there was always a warm stew to dip into or a cake to cut. Perhaps that had been her only way of coping, making sure she served a purpose by focussing on their needs rather than her own. And now, maybe she would have someone who would look after her. The family all did their best to look out for Helen and spoiled her when they could, but there was nothing like having someone who was there just for you.
Later in the evening, everyone gathered around as Juno sat on a stool with her guitar.
‘I hope you don’t mind,’ said Juno. ‘But I’ve written a song. It’s for my dad. And I want to play it to you all, to see if it’s any good.’ Her fingers danced over the guitar strings, letting out a plangent chord. There was a smattering of applause and she smiled, then began to play.
‘He’s there in my eyes
The man I never knew
A hint of gold
A splash of blue
