Chapter 31
THIRTY-ONE
Rita jumped at the gentle tap on the kitchen window, turned off the iron and went to the front door. Zenya smiled as she bustled through the kitchen doorway, a basket of freshly picked herbs and vegetables tucked under one arm.
‘I thought I’d put together a special menu tonight.
’ Rita noted her flawless skin tanned from the glorious weather they had been having prior to today’s rain.
Her salt-stiff plaits were knotted with lavender stems. ‘The guests have been here a whole week now; feels like they deserve something a bit more celebratory. Something fresh, seasonal, and from the garden. If that’s OK with you, of course.
’ She laid the basket on the kitchen table, spilling out glossy courgettes, ruby-red tomatoes, fragrant basil and a handful of wild berries.
‘Great idea. I’m not offering alcohol on a whim. We can use up the leftover elderflower fizz. I need to keep eye on our profits.’
‘They’ll probably be knackered after last night anyway. I saw Paul creeping back up with his head torch on way after the others.’
‘Oh, did you?’ Rita replied breezily.
‘You like him, don’t you?’ Zenya smiled, catching Rita’s eye knowingly. Rita flushed and busied herself at the sink.
Zenya switched topics, ‘I’m thinking a roasted veg tart like I did at Hilda’s the other night, and for pudding, a raspberry crumble topped with coconut cream. Light, tasty and perfect for this time of year.’
‘You’re amazing, Zenya, that’s what you are.’ Rita wiped her hands on a tea towel.
‘I wish to be,’ Zenya replied coyly, her cheeks now colouring.
‘Being around you… it’s like having the big sister I always hoped for.
Someone strong and kind who doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out but just keeps going anyway.
’ Rita swallowed as Zenya’s voice softened.
‘I never really had that. A person who makes you feel like you matter. So, thank you, Rita. For letting me in.’
‘I’m glad,’ Rita whispered, herself welling up. She folded the ironing board. ‘You’d better text the rabble and see how many want to come down and eat.’
Later that evening, Rita was just getting ready to head over to the Snack Shack when she heard the crunch of tyres on the gravel courtyard.
She looked out of her bedroom window expecting to see Teo back from the harbour in the Land Rover.
But bold as brass in the trailer behind Jago’s tractor, standing squarely and smugly atop a bale of hay, was Camilla.
Jago looked up to give a casual nod as he passed, barely slowing, causing Rita to take a sharp intake of breath, her heart suddenly beating an unwelcome symphony.
Camilla gave out a loud, offended, ‘Maaaaa-aaaahh!’
As Rita appeared at the front door, Camilla then let out a low, theatrical bleat.
Jago shouted back over the engine. ‘I daren’t argue with a lady in her condition!’
Rita raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m not even sure if we can get Cedric to pay the kid’s maintenance. I think she’s been pregnant more times than she’s escaped, this little harlot.’
‘Maybe she’s a romantic. Falls in love every spring and regrets it by autumn.’
Rita could tell by Jago’s face just how much he regretted that comment. They shared a look, brief, loaded. Jago cleared his throat. ‘I’d have got Stan to bring her back, but he had to leave early today.’
‘It’s fine. Thank you.’ Just the presence of this man unsettled her. It was like the air around her was suddenly charged with electricity. He made her feel alive in a way only Archie had done before him.
‘Would you like me to take her up to her pen?’ Jago smiled with his eyes, that easy warmth that both comforted and confused her.
‘Yes, amazing. The guests are coming down for dinner soon; I’d better help Zenya.’ Rita was itching to escape the invisible pull that made her heart race, and her thoughts spin out of control. She needed space, room to breathe.
She shut the front door behind her, the latch clicking a little harder than intended.
As she walked towards the Snack Shack, Jago’s voice carried after her, low, almost uncertain.
‘My mum used to say to me that between what is said and not meant, and what is meant and not said, we can lose so much.’
Rita paused for the briefest of moments, eyes fixed ahead. But she didn’t turn. He was the one who had said it was better if they kept away from each other. She said nothing, just kept walking, her ears open but whatever Jago Jenken wanted to say next never came.