‘He’s becoming quite the grown-up,’ Cassie replied lightly. She spotted lemon meringue pie being carried to a nearby table and decided to indulge this once, catching the waitress’s attention to order. Maud had shifted to follow the sun, Flynn sprawled beside her, little and large.
‘Not so grown up that he’s making any headway with Allegra, though. She’s lovely, so different to his previous girlfriends, and I really do think they’d be good together.’ Pippa pulled a face as a sigh escaped. ‘Not that I’m sure I’m doing her a favour by encouraging it.’
‘What do you mean?’ Alarm had Cassie’s pulse spiking. Raf had barely mentioned the land agent she’d met back in May at Home Farm, other than to assure her they were not dating.
‘I love my brother to bits, Cass, you know I do, but heaven help the woman who eventually takes him on. He’s not exactly known for his ability to commit beyond a few months, and I think she’d need to be someone with very little baggage who has a complete life of her own, separate to his. The house is precisely a case in point. He couldn’t make up his mind whether to buy it, so he got Allegra to persuade the vendor to rent it instead, giving him the perfect exit strategy. Who knows where he’ll be for Christmas? Probably on some faraway beach while the rest of us are stomping through snow and a freezing winter.’
Their desserts arrived along with flat whites, and suddenly Cassie’s bowl filled with pastry and lemon topped with waves of whipped meringue didn’t look quite so appealing. She picked at it, flicking crumbs from the table for Maud while Flynn dozed.
But this was exactly what she needed to hear to remind herself that her crush on Raf was exactly that. A silly feeling which would pass. She lifted a nonchalant hand to cover the new blush staining her cheeks.
‘Ah well, never mind, I certainly won’t be able to change him. So you are coming to Jago’s launch on Friday night, yes?’ Pippa raised a brow.
‘That’s the plan. I’m looking forward to it,’ she said casually. It would be a good distraction from Raf, too. Dipping a tentative toe in the dating pool, as it were.
‘I’m sure Jago will be delighted. He made sure to let me know you’d been in touch.’ Pippa dropped her voice. ‘So is there anything you want to tell me?’
‘About what?’
‘Dating? Jago? Anyone else?’
‘Nope, nothing to share.’ Cassie was keen to keep things simple, as well as truthful. ‘Jago and I have emailed and messaged a few times, but that’s it, Pippa.’ But given both Pippa and Fiona’s misgivings about Raf, and her own determination to put their kiss behind them, there was no harm in seeing Jago at the gallery and celebrating his launch.
‘Please don’t get carried away,’ she warned. ‘He’ll probably wonder why he bothered sending me an invite the moment he sees me again.’
‘He won’t, Cass, I promise you. And let’s not forget the obvious, either.’ Pippa’s smile spread. ‘He’s hot, right?’
‘I suppose. For an older guy.’ Cassie would probably have swiped right had she been looking.
‘He’s forty-nine. Not that old.’
‘Yeah, well, like I said…’
‘I know, I heard you. You’re not really looking. But maybe it’s time to go with the flow and see where it takes you.’
Cassie had done that once before, and now she couldn’t get that damn kiss out of her mind. She had zero intention of doing anything like that again, and definitely not with a middle-aged sculptor she barely knew.
Chapter Twelve
On Sunday Cassie and Raf gathered with Isla, Rory and Flynn for the walk into the village and lunch at the Pilkington Arms. She’d taken Flynn around the meadow earlier and had been astonished by his speed and strength when he took off, thankful the garden was securely enclosed. Raf had cycled with Rory first thing, and Rory was teasing his godfather about struggling to keep up, taunts that Raf took in good humour as he dropped in a few of his own. When they set off, Rory led Flynn, padding politely at his side, and Isla linked arms with Raf and Cassie. She was full of excitement about the ponies at Home Farm and how much Hero the foal had grown since their last visit in the spring. For Cassie that illusive sense of contentment arrived again, and she held the feeling close so she could record it in her journal later.
When they arrived at the pub, Pippa, Gil, Harriet and Alfie were already seated at their table, and Kenny came around the bar to greet everyone. Having taken early retirement from a previous career in marketing, he seemed to get more attractive with age, cropped gunmetal-grey hair suiting a sharp beard and a merry gaze. He and his partner, Vince, had bought the pub a few years ago and transformed its dreary 1970s décor into a comfortable and contemporary space popular with locals and visitors alike. Dark blue walls were hung with well-placed paintings, and Cassie detected Pippa’s influence in the choice of art, which had altered since she’d last been here. Kenny kissed her on both cheeks, wanting to know what she thought of their gin, and she promised him she loved it and would definitely be trying more. He thanked her for stepping in to help with their distillery brand, something she knew Raf had already shared with his two business partners.
Typically on a Sunday lunchtime, every table was taken as staff bustled between them, and she noticed a few guests staring when they spotted Raf. He was usually obliging when approached for selfies or impromptu chats, and Pippa had mentioned the village was getting used to him now, generally leaving him alone. Flynn was drawing attention too, and given his size, it took a moment to settle him beside their table with Lola and Maud nearby. Raf joked with Kenny that he’d pay for an extra meal given the space Flynn needed, and Kenny waved that away as he took their drinks order and gave each dog a treat from the jar he kept on the bar for four-legged visitors.
‘Menus for everyone.’ Kenny passed them around. ‘But as it’s Sunday I can definitely recommend the roast beef, served nice and pink. Sorry, Pippa darling, but Vincehasmade your favourite mushroom and squash filo pie.’ He winked and she laughed. She and Harriet hadn’t eaten meat for years, although she sometimes cooked it for Gil, who loved a steak.
‘And I’ve got the perfect wine to go with the beef, a super Grenache that’s not too heavy for a tender cut.’
‘That’s me sorted.’ Gil grinned and Kenny returned to the bar while everyone else opened the menus.
In the end most decided on roast beef while Cassie opted for the filo pie with Pippa and Harriet. The four teenagers were huddled over Harriet’s phone, and Cassie took in the glow of sun-kissed skin on their faces, the easy banter between them. Last night, once they’d arrived back from the gather, they’d piled round to Raf’s to watch movies on the big screen. Cassie, always prepared for more mouths to feed, had bought pizzas. She’d loved having them around the kitchen table, bringing yet more life and laughter to the house, and it had been late when she’d run them home. Kenny was soon back with their drinks, teasing Raf about opting for a low-alcohol beer instead of their own brand of gin.
‘So you are coming to Jago’s launch on Friday?’ Pippa leant across to speak to him. ‘Allegra’s going to be there too. It turns out her parents are collectors and they’re staying with her for the weekend. I wondered if you knew?’
‘And why would I know?’ Raf’s eyes narrowed and Cassie didn’t miss the irritated look he shot his sister. ‘I haven’t been in touch with her for weeks.’
‘I’m sure she’d love to hear from you.’ Pippa arched a brow as Gil chatted with Isla and Harriet on his left. ‘Cassie’s going to be there, aren’t you? Jago made sure to invite her and she said yes.’
