‘Yes. Jesus, Poirot,’ Rita giggled. ‘You’re going to have me putting myLine of Dutydisguise on again.’
Jilly shrugged, a playful grin tugging at her lips. ‘Anyway. Let the police do their job.’ She looked to Rita’s expanding waistline. ‘You’re looking proper blooming now.’
‘Fat, you mean,’ Rita laughed. ‘I already look like one of Jago’s cows. But at least me and him are sorted now. I forgave him so easily… and do you know what? I don’t care that I did. I love him. He was just being a weak man. However… boundaries are reset, and he’s promised to make it up to me, big time. So, let’s see.’
‘I’d expect a diamond at least the size of Africa for him being such a dick, to be fair.’
Rita laughed aloud. ‘Who says he’s getting me a ring?’
‘And have you thought of what you’d say if he did this time?’ Jilly cocked her head waiting for an answer.
‘All I want is to getthiswedding out of the way and for it to be a momentous success for Sennen. Then we can all breathe a little easier.’
‘It will be perfect.’ Jilly tidied her ponytail. ‘Do you want any help on the actual day? I can’t cook, but I can fetch, carry, and flirt with the groomsmen.’
‘That would be amazing.’
‘You take it as me being there, la. I’ll block out my classes for the entire day.’ Rita stood, and Jilly gave her a quick hug. ‘Sorted. Now I need to meet my Joel to set my heart racing before my next session.’
‘Love is friendship set on fire, you know that,’ Rita said with a smile.
‘How very topical.’ Jilly smirked, pointed to her perfect boobs, gave a little shimmy, and grinned wildly. ‘Love is fire set on fire with all of this going on, sweetheart.’
FORTY
Once back at the farmhouse, Thom pulled up in the courtyard and was out of the car in seconds, jogging round to her door as Rita reached for the handle.
‘Honestly…’ She smiled as he offered an arm.
She swung her legs out carefully, then straightened, steady on her feet now. Thom hovered for a moment before she leaned back in and lifted the bags from Betty’s off the passenger seat. The delicious smell of warm cinnamon buns still lingered in the car, a comforting reminder of her morning escape to the harbour.
She put the food into the Nook, then spotted Stan ahead, balancing on the tractor trailer and directing Jago in the cab. She called out to get his attention. ‘Stan!’
Signalling for Jago to stop, he jumped down, brushing sawdust from his hands. ‘What’s up, Mrs Jory, you all right?’
She rested a hand on her stomach, letting it settle there naturally. ‘I wanted you to hear it from me before anyone else,’ she offered with nerves and pride. ‘I’m pregnant.’
For a heartbeat, Stan froze, then his face split into a grin so wide it made his eyes sparkle. ‘I knew it! You’ve had an extra twinkle for a while, you ’ave.’
Jago got out of the tractor and walked to them. Rita grinned. ‘I’m surprised you didn’t tell your man here already.’ She gestured to Jago. ‘He’s been bouncing off the walls since he found out.’ Rita put her tongue in her cheek. ‘Saying that he is clearly very good at keeping secrets.’
‘Ha bloody ha.’ Jago kissed her on the cheek. ‘Look at you ditching your crutches already.’
‘Hard as nails, me,’ Rita laughed.
‘That you are, Mrs Jory.’ Stan smirked. ‘I’d best tell Mrs Bodkin; she’ll start knitting like a madwoman, she will. Is it a girl or a boy?’
Rita laughed, rubbing her bump lightly. ‘It’s double trouble again, Stan, and no idea of the sexes yet, although Zenya is adamant it’s two boys.’
Stan’s grin softened into something more tender. ‘Two of the little blighters, well, I never. All I can say is those kids are going to be the luckiest babies in Cornwall, with a mum like you.’
‘Oi.’ Jago shook his head. ‘What about a dad like me?’
Stan’s face straightened to deliver his line, Cornish accent heightened. ‘They’ll be lookers, that’s for sure.’
Jago pulled her gently to the side. ‘So, do I get the pleasure of waking up to your beautiful face tomorrow, then?’
Rita grinned, a teasing glint in her eye. ‘I can’t wait; I really can’t. But let’s get this wedding out of the way first. Then, well, let’s see. Maybe you’ll get lucky, maybe you won’t.’ She winked and blew him a playful kiss.
