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After some discussion, Clover decided on chocolate and Tansy vanilla with sprinkles.
‘And you?’ Rosy asked Jack.
He shrugged. ‘I wasn’t going to...’
‘Daddy likes cherry,’ Clover said, and Rosy’s smile widened.
‘Got it,’ she said as she stepped up to the counter. She wouldn’t take any money from him for the ice creams, insisting that it was her treat, and it seemed only polite that they fell into step with her as they walked away from the café.
‘That was really kind of you,’ Jack said. ‘I think Clover was on the verge of a meltdown. I probably kept her out too long. Tansy was right, as usual.’
‘That happens a lot?’
‘More and more since her mother died.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Rosy said, compassion in her eyes. ‘That must be really hard for all of you.’
‘It’s been a couple of years, but there are still challenges. Right now, the nanny has broken her foot, so she’s gone home to her family for a few weeks. The timing is difficult. We only moved back here recently so the girls haven’t started school here yet and I have a lot to do. But I know how lucky I am to afford a nanny at all. I’ll figure something out.’
‘At least they have you. They’re beautiful girls.’
‘They take after their mother.’
Tansy and Clover had walked ahead and now they sat down on the sea wall to finish their ice creams and as Jack reached them and stopped, Rosy did too.
‘Thank you for my ice cream,’ Tansy said, and Clover echoed the thanks.
‘You’re very welcome. Actually, you did me a favour. Ice cream tastes better with company.’ Rosy said.
‘You decided to stay in Polhallow after all?’ Jack asked, and she shot him a slightly embarrassed grin.
‘I wasn’t lying,’ she assured him. ‘I had every intention of returning home after the play, but Clem got an unexpected job offer and needed someone to watch the house and feed the cat. I realised I could actually work from here for a few weeks, so here I am.’ She shrugged a little self-consciously.
‘That worked well for us. We’d still be in the queue now if it wasn’t for you.’
‘Where do you live?’ Clover asked. ‘We used to live in London, but Daddy moved here. Are you from London?’
Rosy shook her head. ‘No, I come from a small country called Asturia, have you heard of it? Not many people have. But I came to school here in England, so I know London well.’
‘I miss school,’ Clover said.
‘Ah, yes, your daddy said you haven’t started school here yet. Are you looking forward to it?’
‘Not really, mine is miles away.’ Tansy glared at Jack.
It was an old argument, and not one Jack wanted to have in front of a stranger. ‘It’s a great school. You’ll be fine. As we moved here just after Easter, I thought they might enjoy a long summer, especially as Tansy is starting secondary school. It didn’t make sense sending her somewhere new for just one term,’ he explained to Rosy. ‘Tansy’s school is about ten miles from here, and Clover is going to one the next town over.’
‘Which means that not only do we not know anyone in Polhallow now, we won’t know anyone here once we’re at school either,’ Tansy said.
‘That’s not true,’ Jack said. ‘There are children from Polhallow who go to both your new schools. You’ll be fine.’ He had the money to send the girls to the best schools possible and that was exactly what he was going to do.
‘It can be tough to meet people when you move,’ Rosy said sympathetically. ‘But I know a little girl about your age,’ she said to Clover. ‘I’m going to the cinema with her and her mummy tomorrow in fact, to see that new superhero film. Do you want to come along and meet her?’
Clover’s eyes widened as she turned to Jack imploringly. ‘Can I, Daddy?’
‘I don’t know, honey.’ He didn’t know this woman beyond a jolt of attraction and a couple of random meetings. ‘We wouldn’t want to impose.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Rosy said, flushing. ‘That was really clumsy of me. You don’t even know me and here I am inviting your children out. I promise I’d take care of them. I can give you Sally’s details—she’s lived here all her life. Her little girl, Alice, goes to the local primary school and is Clover’s age. I’m going to the cinema anyway; it really wouldn’t be any trouble to take Clover as well—and Tansy if she would like to come.’
