Chapter 7
7
‘Long time no see,’ Mike said as he pulled Finn a pint of Guinness and put it on the bar to settle. ‘I thought you must have taken your patronage elsewhere.’
Finn shook his head. ‘My father’s got a cottage in the village – the last time we were here was at the end of last summer. We were in a lot then, but we’ve not had the chance to get down since. I’m only here now because we’ve just sold the place.’
The landlord’s face cleared and he clicked his fingers in the air. ‘Of course. It’s Finn, isn’t it? Good to see you again. Did you get a good price?’
Finn told him, knowing he could probably find out anyway, and the big man nodded seriously. ‘Mmm, not bad. Not bad at all. So how long are you planning on staying? Just until the deal goes through?’
‘Maybe a bit longer. I’m between jobs at the moment.’ ‘Between jobs’ sounded better than admitting he’d just been made redundant, along with several of his colleagues, after a management buyout.
‘What sort of work do you do? ’
‘I’m an engineer by trade – lately I’ve been working at a switch-making company in Nottingham. But I can turn my hand to most things. I can do maintenance, plumbing, electrical work.’ He hesitated, not sure whether to divulge the rest of his plans, but Mike looked interested, so he cleared his throat and carried on.
‘I can paint a bit, too. I thought I might do some painting while I’m here.’
‘Houses, you mean?’
‘No, I’m an artist.’ The words felt strange. Probably because it was the first time he’d ever said them. He wasn’t sure if he even meant them, but they were out now, and he was Mike’s only customer so it wasn’t as if there were any witnesses. ‘I do landscapes mostly – watercolours.’
‘Are you any good?’
Finn sipped his pint for Dutch courage. ‘I’ve got some framed canvases at the cottage – local views. My grandparents liked them, but as we’re selling the place, they’ll probably end up at Oxfam.’
‘Tell you what, why don’t I have a look? That sort of thing can go down well with the tourists. If I like them, you can put a couple on the walls, stick a price on. I’d have to take commission, of course – if any were sold.’
‘Why not?’ Finn said, smiling nervously and wondering what on earth he’d let himself in for. ‘Yeah – go on then – I’ll pop a couple in the car next time I’m in.’
A few more customers began to drift in: an old boy in a flat cap, with a border collie at his heels; then a couple of teenagers, busy scrolling on their mobiles.
The pub was cosy. The woodburning stove kicked out warmth, and burning logs spat out red hot sparks as logs shifted within it. Peace personified.
Finn was on his second pint, still sitting at the bar, when the door opened and a couple came in with a child. The woman was Jade, he realised with a jolt.
It was true what he’d told Mike: he was here to sort out the house sale to save his father the hassle, and he liked the idea of spending some time painting – the scenery was beautiful in this part of the world. But he couldn’t deny that the possibility of bumping into Jade again had been appealing, too.
He just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.
Finn put down his pint and tried not to stare. She probably wouldn’t remember him, anyway. He picked up a paper that was lying on the bar and withdrew to a table in the window, where he could watch the trio without being obvious. Perhaps the guy was her boyfriend; husband, even.
He watched as the man, a burly, stocky guy wearing a tweed jacket that made him look like a gentleman farmer, took Jade’s coat and draped it awkwardly over the back of her chair. Then he fussed around her, his hands fluttering, as if he wanted to touch but wasn’t quite sure of his welcome.
Business acquaintances, Finn decided, or casual friends, at most. The body language was wrong for them to be anything more. He’d have laid bets on it that the boy wasn’t hers either. Well, not if looks were anything to go by. Jade had dark hair and the child was fair and they had different-shaped faces, different colouring altogether.
He went back to his newspaper, feeling a surge of disappointment. He’d wanted to bump into her, but these circumstances were no more ideal than when they’d met before.
The idea of Mike selling his paintings also seemed suddenly ludicrous. He’d spouted off about being an artist, and it was true that he’d drawn and painted since he was a child. But he’d never been professionally trained, unless you counted the odd evening class, where he’d always felt out of place, being the only man .
Going to art college hadn’t been an option. He hadn’t even bothered suggesting it to Ray, knowing what his reaction would be. ‘Don’t be so bloody soft, lad, art’s not going to pay the bills.’
Finn felt a surge of affection for his father despite their differences. Had there still been working mines in his hometown when he’d left school, Ray would have had him down one at the first opportunity.
He supposed he should head back to the cottage. He had the last of the packing up to do, but it was still early and he didn’t relish the prospect of spending the next twelve hours alone. Not that this place was exactly buzzing. Jade and her companion had ordered pizzas, which had just arrived, and the boy was tearing open sachets of tomato ketchup and squirting patterns on to his. The smell of food had Finn’s stomach rumbling and he realised he hadn’t eaten all day. Maybe he should order something.
Packing up the last of his grandfather’s suits for the charity shop had been sadder than he’d anticipated – the end of an era. It was a pity Ray had decided to sell up, but Finn could see the sense in it. Ray would put the money to good use.
The next time he looked up, they’d finished eating and Jade was chatting to the landlord. Every so often they glanced in his direction and he had the odd feeling they were talking about him. He was being paranoid. Why would they be?
He stared out at the velvet blackness beyond the dark wood-framed windows and decided to forget ordering food and head back. If the truth be told, he was just as alone here as he’d be at the cottage.
He took his empty glass back to the bar, confident now that Jade hadn’t recognised him, and was about to head for the door when Mike called, ‘Hey, Finn. You got a sec? Jade here has a proposition for you.’
Finn jumped out of his skin. He really had to get a grip. He turned slowly.
‘What sort of proposition?’ He met Jade’s direct gaze.
‘Hello, Finn. I thought it might be you, but I wasn’t sure until Mike told me your name. We met last year,’ she explained, turning to her companion, who looked none too happy about the turn events were taking.
‘Back in September,’ Finn murmured. ‘Yes, I remember. How are you?’
‘I’m fine, thanks.’ There was a flash of embarrassment in her eyes and he knew she was remembering the circumstances of their meeting.
‘You were right,’ she added, a faint flush colouring her cheeks. ‘It does get easier.’
Finn nodded, aware the man was watching, his gaze cool. The little lad was fiddling with a beer mat, bending one corner of it backwards and forwards. Close up, Finn was even more certain they weren’t related – although he supposed the child could be adopted. No, that was unlikely – she was too young to have decided to adopt a child.
Realising that Jade was still speaking to him, he looked back into her face.
‘I’ve a job I think might interest you, Finn. Why don’t you join us and we can have a chat?’
He was about to say he wasn’t looking for a job, but then he caught the enthusiasm on Mike’s face and, realising he’d misinterpreted his ‘between jobs’ as meaning ‘looking for a job’, he nodded slowly.
‘This is Ben, my godson,’ she went on, warmth threading through her voice as she glanced towards the boy, who gave Finn a gap-toothed grin. ‘And Aiden Southerland, my vet, and friend.’
Finn heard the edge of awkwardness in the word ‘friend’ and felt a little stab of relief. That was good news. There was nothing established there, then – at least not as far as Jade was concerned.
Ben, obviously anxious to get back into the limelight again, drew his plate towards the edge of the table and began to fiddle with his knife and fork.
Out of the corner of his eye, Finn saw the plate begin to tip towards the boy’s lap. He’d always had lightning reflexes. Before anyone else could move, he reached across in front of Aiden, who was sitting next to Ben, and caught the plate just before it tipped completely and deposited its cargo of ketchup-soaked pizza into the child’s lap.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t quite quick enough to prevent the sauce-smeared knife from landing in Aiden’s lap, pointy end down.
‘Bugger,’ Aiden muttered, leaping out of his chair like a scalded cat and glaring at Finn as the knife clattered to the wooden floor.
‘Sorry.’ Finn held up his hands in contrition, aware that Jade was frowning at Aiden, presumably because she didn’t approve of him swearing in front of her godson, who looked thrilled at the fuss he’d caused.
‘Mum tells me off if I say naughty words.’ Ben was giggling.
‘I should think so, too.’ There was mild reproof in Jade’s voice. Finn could see she was trying not to smile, but Aiden looked mortified.
‘Sorry,’ Finn murmured as Aiden dabbed at the red smear on his hitherto immaculate trousers with a green paper napkin.
‘It’s fine. No worries. At least I caught it. What’s everyone drinking?’ Aiden was clearly eager to get back into Jade’s good books, and Finn found himself being pressed into another pint of Guinness.
‘Do you like animals?’ Jade asked while Aiden was at the bar.
‘We used to have a dog,’ he said, puzzled. ‘My father reckons they’re less trouble than people. They’re always pleased to see you and they stay loyal.’
She nodded in approval and went on without preamble. ‘I think I told you I run an animal rescue home last time we met. I’m looking for someone to help out.’
‘I see.’ Finn was slightly thrown. Had he and Mike even had the same conversation? ‘Do you mean you need someone to look after the animals? I’ve no experience with livestock.’
‘No, don’t worry. Nothing like that. I do all that side. It’s the place itself I need help with. Mike was saying you’re looking for work and can turn your hand to most things, maintenance wise.’
‘That’s right.’ He rested his chin on his hand and was pleased when she unconsciously mirrored the gesture.
‘So you could do things like fix dodgy electricity supplies? There’s a bit of fencing too. Drainage, guttering – that sort of thing.’
‘Doesn’t sound too complicated.’
‘She hasn’t told you the best bit yet.’ Aiden was back. He put their drinks on the table, and although his voice was light, his body language told Finn a different story. Aiden couldn’t wait to get rid of him. He’d have thought he was interrupting a romantic date, had it not been for Ben’s presence.
‘What’s the best bit?’
‘You’ll be working all hours and earning a pittance.’
‘Oh, don’t put him off, Aiden.’
‘He hasn’t,’ Finn said, raising his eyebrows. ‘I’m used to that.’ This wasn’t quite true, but there was no way he was letting Jade get away without at least arranging another meeting. Not that she seemed in any hurry to get away.
‘Aiden’s right. I’m afraid I can’t afford to pay you much. We’re a charity, you see. I could throw in accommodation, though. Mike said you’ve just sold a cottage – so you’re going to need somewhere to live.’
Finn saw Aiden give her a sharp look and he realised his earlier suspicions had been right on target. They weren’t a couple, but Aiden certainly wanted them to be, and he didn’t want another bloke muscling in.
He sipped his pint and decided, for once, to throw caution to the wind. If fate decreed that the woman he’d had trouble getting off his mind in the last few months should offer him a job, he certainly wasn’t going to turn her down out of hand.
‘Maybe if I came and had a look round and you showed me what you need doing. Would tomorrow morning work?’
‘That would be wonderful.’ Jade’s face lit up, and Finn found himself thinking he’d have worked for nothing if she smiled at him like that every day. No wonder Aiden was smitten.
‘You could see Candy’s pups.’ Ben had been busy with another beer mat, but now he pushed the torn-up pieces into a little pile on the table and rested his chin on his hands. ‘And Auntie Jade’s got a sick buzzard. And chickens. Millions of smelly chickens.’
‘Sounds wonderful,’ Finn said, turning towards the boy. He liked kids and this one was a right live wire. He stood up. ‘Can I get anyone another drink?’
Jade shook her head. ‘Thanks, but I need to get this little man home to bed.’ She got gracefully to her feet and offered Finn her hand. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow then, Finn. About ten?’
Her fingers felt cool and surprisingly smooth, considering her job. Nice nails – short, and painted with some clear shiny varnish. There was no sign of a wedding ring. ‘I’ll look forward to it,’ he said, acutely aware that beside her Aiden didn’t look quite so thrilled. Finn wondered if she could feel the atmosphere. There was no sign of it in her face. So was she oblivious to the way Aiden felt about her, or just playing it cool?
It would be an interesting meeting tomorrow, he thought, hoping Aiden didn’t have any say in whether he got the job or not. Not that he actually needed the job – but he’d like to get to know Jade better.
His memory hadn’t let him down. She was maybe a touch thinner than he remembered, but she was still just as attractive, and there was a very slight air of aloofness about her that made him want to know what went on behind those dark eyes. Why on earth had a woman like Jade Foster decided to bury herself in the wilds of Wiltshire looking after a bunch of animals that no one else wanted? Finn was intrigued. And he hadn’t been intrigued by a woman for a very long time.