‘No. I’m just saying.’
‘Well, you don’t need to just say. And when you’ve stopped being a grouch about it all, am I allowed to say I’m so happy – for you both?’
‘Slow down there, sis,’ Jesse said, laughing, which saved me from having to say anything. He rolled his eyes as he looked back at me. ‘I even look at a girl and she’s picking out hats.’
Jules stood and clipped the back of his head with her hand. ‘I am not. And excuse me for wanting you to be happy,’ she added, her voice almost a whisper.
‘I know. Thanks. Jules?’
‘Yes.’
‘Can we order now?’
* * *
Following lunch at the café again a few days later, I hoisted myself back up into the pick-up before Jesse could get to the door and slid down in the seat. I’d test-driven a four-wheel-drive Mini last week and put down a deposit. By the end of tomorrow, I would finally have my own transportation again. Jesse had already said I could borrow his car but, as kind as that offer was, it wasn’t the same. My car was my independence. Plus I didn’t fancy pranging his shiny sports car, which, bearing in mind the state of some of the back roads around here, was a distinct possibility. Earlier, we’d just managed to avoid one pothole so deep, I was pretty sure if you looked hard enough, you could see the Earth’s core bubbling nicely away.
‘You look like you’re hiding.’
‘I am.’
‘Oh. Any particular reason?’ Jesse asked, turning over the engine and checking over his shoulder before he pulled out of the space and onto the main road.
‘Because I need to get home and take this sign off my back.’
He briefly squinted over at me. ‘What sign?’
‘The one that, judging by the looks and whispers I’ve seen today, clearly says I’m shagging Jesse Woods.’
‘Ohhh, that one.’
‘Is it always like this?’
He threw me a glance that was less amused than the first.
‘I don’t make a habit of sleeping with every woman that comes into the village so I can’t answer that.’
‘That’s not what I meant.’ I heaved out a sigh. ‘I don’t even know what I meant. Sorry. I’m just not used to this. I could walk through London stark naked and hardly anyone would bat an eyelid.’
His eyes stayed on the road but I could see the grin. ‘I’d definitely bat one.’
‘You know what I mean. Nobody cares what anyone does so long as it doesn’t affect them. Here everyone knows everyone else and all their business. It’s just a bit… unsettling.’
‘I know.’ He put the handbrake on as we waited at a red light and then reached over for my hand. ‘They’ll get bored soon and talk about something else. You’re still relatively new to the place. Fresh meat.’
‘And you haven’t dated anyone in five years.’
He let go of my hand as the lights began to change.
‘Who told you that?’
‘A lady two behind me at the chemist. She also told me how pleased she was but that she’d never thought you’d be happy with a city girl, added in “no offence” there, and that perhaps it’s for the best as that way you wouldn’t be comparing me to your wife as much.’
Jesse dragged a hand down his face. ‘Jesus. Sorry, Fliss. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.’ He looked across. ‘I have to admit it wasn’t my brain doing a lot of the thinking that first night.’
‘I know. And no, maybe it’s not the best idea, like you say. You’ve had enough gossip to last a lifetime, even if it was well-meaning back then.’
Suddenly, he pulled the truck over, flicked the hazards on and turned in his seat.
