Page 36 of The Cotswolds Christmas Fair

He put her in a taxi and asked her to message when she was safely home. Jen watched him walk away, and before she knew it he was gone, disappearing into the crowded streets. She spent the journey in a daze, reliving every moment of the afternoon with him – every story he’d told, every touch of his hand. The way he’d made her feel good about herself, like no one ever had before.

When she got back, the porch light was on and the rest of the house was in darkness. She tiptoed to her room, and messaged Anthony to let him know she was back safely.

The dancing dots appeared immediately.

Good to know. Lovely night with you x

Jen fell onto the bed, holding the phone to her chest.

She really needed to find a way to swot up on poetry and art.

Chapter Sixteen

The chance soon presented itself.

She slept through the school run the next morning, oblivious to the homely chaos of breakfasting and dressing two small children. It was lunchtime before she emerged, finding Dan at the cooker in a Cath Kidston floral apron.

‘Omelette?’ he asked. His voice was neutral but she had the impression he was irritated by her presence. Or perhaps by the fact that she’d slept in and was now standing in his kitchen at lunchtime in her pyjamas.

She reminded herself of Anthony’s perspective; just because she didn’t keep conventional hours didn’t mean Boring Dan had the right to judge her. She should coldly refuse his offer.

On the other hand, she was starving and the eggs sizzling in butter smelled delicious.

‘Please,’ she said.

He nodded, keeping his back to her, his shoulders stiffening.

‘That’s really kind of you,’ she said. ‘I – I didn’t know you were such a good cook.’

He glanced over his shoulder. ‘How would you?’

He had a point. She rarely saw him, and she’d only been to the house once before, years ago, when Julia had been expecting Amy and Jen had been invited to the baby shower. Her impression of Dan had been hazy and unflattering – a suit who expected his wife to cook, clean and care for the children. Watching him now, as he grated cheese into the omelette he was cooking then checked one that was cooling on a plate, chopped it and placed it in front of George who sat in his highchair, she had to admit that she might have underestimated him.

‘I’ll wash up,’ she said.

He indicated the dishwasher with the spatula.

‘I’ll load the dishwasher,’ she said.

He nodded. ‘That would be good.’ He slid the omelette from the pan and onto a plate. ‘Babe? Grub’s up.’

‘Ooh, yum,’ Julia said, scampering through the doorway and embracing Dan from behind in a backwards hug. ‘Thanks, love. You’re the—oh.’ Her smile wavered as she saw Jen. ‘Hi.’

‘Dan’s making me an omelette.’ Jen cleared her throat. ‘Very kindly,’ she added.

‘It’s good having him at home, we’re making the most of it before he has to go to a conference in Cheltenham for a few days,’ Julia said. ‘This snow’s been a blessing.’

She caught Jen’s eye, clearly willing her sister to understand that she included her unplanned presence in the house in the sentiment. Feigning ignorance, Jen turned to George, who was happily smearing egg around his face.

‘What a good boy, eating up his breakfast,’ she said, tickling the fat little bulge under his chin and smiling as he giggled.

‘Lunch,’ Dan said, plonking a plate in front of her, rather unceremoniously.

Jen ate quickly, ignoring the slightly awkward atmosphere. The food was delicious, she had to admit, the egg buttery, filled with tangy cheese and tasty mushrooms, and crispy at the edge. She had to hand it to Dan; he wasn’t exactly a romantic dashing hero, but he cooked a mean omelette.

After lunch she shooed the others away, reloading the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen until it gleamed and making a fresh pot of coffee. She wasn’t sure more caffeine was what Dan needed, he seemed kind of on edge, but she had noticed that Julia looked pale and there were shadows under her eyes.

She found her tiptoeing from George’s room, having put him down for a nap.