‘I love it when you get all assertive.’ Jago grinned.
‘I’m not joking, Jago, I have boundaries and they are not to be overstepped.’
Jago put his thumb to his index finger. ‘Not even a teeny tiny bit.’
Rita made a huge effort not to smile.
‘I’m joking.’ Jago was now sincere. ‘And I respect that and yousomuch, I really do.’ Jago kissed her tenderly on the lips. ‘The making up is going to be spectacular, I promise you,’ Jago said, eyes glinting. ‘If you thought me wooing you before with “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers” was good… then… well, let’s just say I’ve been saving my best for last.’
Rita rolled her eyes, though a crooked smile tugged at her lips. ‘Promises, promises.’
Funny how, when faced with her own mortality, all her carefully hoarded anger and indignation seemed to vanish. Her heart was doing somersaults, her mind alight with thrilling little thoughts, how charming he was, how completely she wanted to be caught up in whatever he had planned next. Jago leaned closer, brushing a stray hair from her face. ‘This time, I’m going to do something incredible. Something you’ll never forget.’
‘Incredible, huh?’ She fluttered her eyes. ‘You do realise you’re setting the bar dangerously high, don’t you?’
‘Yes,’ he replied confidently. ‘You know how much I like a challenge. And talking of that, do you think we could somehow manoeuvre you and that ankle of yours into the bedroom.’
‘No!’ Rita laughed. ‘Actually, can we go back to mine? I want to be there when the fire people arrive.’
‘Spoilsport.’ Jago winked. ‘But my queen’s wish is my command.’ Jago helped her up onto her crutches, giving her bum a gentle squeeze as if to underline the promise behind his words.
THIRTY-SIX
Thom steered the car down the narrow country lane, Sennen beside him. Trevellen was only fifteen minutes away now and he kept glancing at the time.
‘I feel so bad,’ he muttered, gripping the wheel tighter.
Sennen shoved a piece of chewing gum she’d found in the centre console into her mouth. ‘About Poppy?’
‘Yes, I’ve been a fool, haven’t I?’
‘You’ve been a complete tosser.’ Sennen quickly scrolled her train app and on reaching a crossroads, pointed to the right. ‘Well, Polheron station is only ten minutes down that way, and the London train will be pulling in in exactly thirteen minutes.’
Thom swerved sharply to the right and slammed the accelerator.
The Porsche skidded into the station car park, tyres squealing, leaving a few passers-by staring as if a stunt show had broken out in their lunch break.
Sennen shouted from the passenger seat. ‘Quick! Go, go!’
Thom leaped out and ran across the tarmac. On the platform, Poppy sat on the edge of a bench, coffee cup in hand, eyes red from crying and fatigue. She didn’t look up.
Thom stopped a few feet away. ‘Poppy…’
She lifted her gaze, holding his steady for a moment. Thom stepped closer.
‘I don’t blame you for not wanting to see me again,’ he said. ‘I’ve been worse than wicked to you. But I want you to know that I am truly sorry.’
Poppy cradled her cup with both hands. She looked up at him. ‘And what do you expect me to do with that information?’
Thom gave a small shrug, grin widening. ‘Do what you will… just promise me one thing: please keep being beautiful, erratic, caring, thoughtful. You.’
Tears filled the pretty woman’s eyes. ‘How could youeverexpect me to trust you again?’
‘I don’t know, is my answer to that.’ Thom cocked his head to the side. ‘But you could maybe try?’
‘I… I always go for the bad boys.’ Her voice was low, defeated. ‘And you… you’re the worst kind.’
Thom sighed deeply. ‘I wasn’t brought up to be trouble. But I’ll leave it out there, whether you forgive me or not, I think you’re great.’
