‘I’m not sure. It’s so long since I’ve worn a suit. It feels really weird.’ He began to run a finger around his shirt collar. I caught his hand.
‘Stop fidgeting, you look very professional.’And super hot!I cleared my throat and attempted to clear my mind. ‘But you’re going to mess it up if you keep fiddling with everything.’
Jack’s gaze drifted down to where my hands still held his. My eyes followed. I let go of his hand with a jerk as if it was burning me.
‘Sorry.’
He gave the smallest of movements with his head. ‘No problem,’ he replied, smiling. ‘Are you always this bossy?’
‘It’s usually only me here, so it’s kind of hard to boss yourself around. Anyway, I’m not bossy, I’m just trying to help you.’
‘Which I greatly appreciate.’
‘You could have fooled me,’ I mumbled under my breath.
He laughed then, deep, warm and low, throwing his head back as he did so, his even white teeth shining in the spring sunshine. It was a nice sound and I suddenly realised how quiet it usually was here. Not that I didn’t like the quiet, but a small part of me acknowledged that having Jack’s company this morning had been enjoyable. It didn’t hurt that he was very easy on the eyes, but he’d gained a depth of character since I’d known him last. Or perhaps I never really knew him. There was more to Jack Coulsdon-Hart than I thought, and I was glad I could help him out. I didn’t know exactly what had brought him back home, but if he was looking to build his business up again then he obviously planned to hang around. I’d been lucky that my family had banded around me when I needed help. Jack had family but clearly not the support. He’d always been there for Felix, and Felix had always been there for me. This was a way I could thank Felix for the unfailing support he’d given me. I waved Jack off before turning back to the house and heading for my study.
* * *
I was just preparing some salad to go with dinner when I heard a car coming down the driveway. A few minutes later, there was a knock at the back door. In the fading light of the early spring evening, I could see Jack silhouetted against the glass. I beckoned him to come in.
‘You don’t have to knock.’
‘It seemed the polite thing to do.’
‘Don’t be daft, you’re living here now. I mean, you know, temporarily, obviously.’
Was that a smile?
‘Obviously,’ he repeated.
‘I meant to give you some keys last night, actually, but it got late and I forgot. I’ve put a spare set there for you now.’ I pointed to them on the table. ‘Have you eaten?’
‘I haven’t but I can do myself something. You don’t have to cook for me.’
‘I know. Don’t get used to it, but there’s food here now and you look like you’ve had a long day so wash your hands and take a seat.’ He did as he was told.
‘How did it go today?’ I asked as I dished up steaming lasagne oozing with white sauce and melting cheese.
‘That looks amazing!’
‘Thanks. I hope you like it. There’s some salad to go with it, and some garlic bread.’
Jack laughed that deep, rich laugh. ‘If you want me to leave, this probably isn’t the best way to achieve it.’
‘I don’t want you to leave. I mean… not immediately. Not until you’re ready. I hope that wasn’t the impression I gave you. Anyway, it’s only lasagne.’
‘It’s delicious is what it is,’ he said, taking another large forkful. ‘And no, you didn’t give me that impression. It’s just that it’s not exactly a secret you like your privacy. You’re a little bit of a mystery around here, aren’t you?’
‘Am I?’
‘The reclusive writer who lives up at the big house? Oh, yeah.’ He loaded salad and a couple of slices of garlic bread onto his plate.
‘Oh God.’
Jack shook his head gently as he finished his mouthful. ‘Don’t worry about it. People are always looking for something to talk about.’
‘I know. I’d just rather it wasn’t me.’
