‘Whoa, all right! Anyone would think you were my dad!’
Jago put his palms forward. ‘OK, OK, lecture over as I really appreciate you for telling me, mate.’
Thom nodded. ‘And I respect you and the way you treat Mum, although lately, I’m not sure you’ve got it right.’
Jago’s shoulders dropped as he visibly blew out a breath. ‘I’ll give you that one.’
Thom sighed deeply. ‘But I get it, I really do; Elodie is a force to be reckoned with. I thought I was sharp, but she knows how to get what she wants, that woman. I’m so happy I overheard her and I can get out of this mess too. And as for telling you, you deserve to know everything. Because she is using you and also because if this all blows up later and you found out I knew and didn’t tell you, I’d never forgive myself. I’m sure that probably was in her plan anyway.’
Jago looked over the field again and was quiet for a minute. When he spoke, his voice was quieter.
‘Does your mum know any of this?’
‘God, no,’ Thom replied quickly. ‘I don’t want her hurt by this any more than she already has been. She’d be furious at me, I know it.’
Jago snorted. ‘Bit late for that I think now, on my part anyway.’
‘I’ll take whatever comes,’ Thom said. ‘From you. From her. From anyone. But I couldn’t sit with this. I’ve driven straight from the hotel.’
Jago leaned his elbows on the rail, head bowed for a moment. ‘You know, I thought I was being clever. Thought I was helping someone. Giving Amélie a chance. And as for having a child of my own, it had always been my dream.’
‘It makes sense; you wanted to believe her.’ Thom smiled at him. ‘And it’s Mum you should be telling all this to, and not me.’
‘You’re astute, just like your father, Thomas Jory.’ Jago’s lips tilted. ‘Archie would have given you what-for and then completely stuck up for you.’
‘I know.’ Thom looked down at his feet. ‘I miss him. Like, really miss him.’
Jago gave his shoulder a firm, reassuring squeeze. ‘Me too. And for what it’s worth… I’m here, Thom. Not just now, but always. If you ever need to talk or just sit in silence with someone who gets it… OK?’
Thom blinked, his throat tight. ‘I… thanks, Jago. That means a lot. More than I can say.’
Jago nodded, eyes soft. ‘And thanks for the honesty, Thom. I’m not pissed at you; I’m sad about Amélie but also relieved in a way. My life is clean again. No worry of a child to look after. I have a lot of grovelling to do with your mother, though. That’s for certain.’
Thom reached into his jeans pocket for his key fob. ‘She will be as relieved as you are, I’m sure.’
Jago straightened, squaring his shoulders.
Thom nodded. ‘I’ll back you. Whatever you need me to say. I just want you two to be happy.’
Jago stuck out his hand. Thom shook it, grip firm.
‘Thank you for telling me. Even if you wished you hadn’t.’ Thom was witness to one of Jago’s one-dimpled grins.
‘When will you tell her? Elodie, I mean.’
Jago’s mouth twitched. ‘I won’t rush it. Let her sit where she is for a bit. She can’t stand staying with her dad.’
Thom shifted, uneasy. ‘Poppy, that’s my girl, she has come down to help with the wedding too.’ He sighed loudly. ‘I clearly don’t want her to know.’
Jago patted Thom’s shoulder. ‘You need to work out what you want, Thom… you’re young and I get it. Chasing fireworks that fizzle out by morning is OK for a while, but not at the expense of somebody else’s feelings.’
Thom shook his head. ‘I know, I know. And then there’s Mum. I need to be ready for her wrath, too.’ He laughed nervously.
‘That, you do. But this is on me now. I want to make your mother feel more special than she’s ever felt. No shortcuts, no excuses. She deserves the world.’
Jago tipped his head towards Thom’s Porsche. ‘Now clear off, Don Juan, and let me sort this humongous mess out.’
THIRTY-THREE
