Chapter 18
The twins had rushed over to greet their father, who pushed the bags into their hands then patted them both on their heads, as if they were obedient dogs.
‘Happy birthday,’ he said, already scanning the garden to see who else was there and paying little attention to his daughters. He caught sight of Jenna walking towards him and for a split second there was a look of relief on his face, which was quickly replaced by a scowl.
‘I thought you said it was a kids’ birthday party? Where are the other bloody kids then? If I’d known it was going to be all your sodding family… Is that a barbecue?’
‘Nice to see you, too. It was going to be a party, but it was decided a barbecue would be more fun.’
‘For the children? Or for the adults?’
‘Both. It was the girls’ suggestion actually.’
‘Oh, come off it!’ he said scornfully. ‘As if. Is that your mother’s new boyfriend then?’ he asked, nodding over to where Mac was flipping burgers at the barbecue, helped and advised by Seb, Stella, and Jenna’s grandad.
‘The one cooking the burgers? Yes,’ she said flatly. It was odd how quickly Joel could dampen her mood. When she thought about it, he’d done that a lot over the years. She wondered why she’d never noticed it before. ‘Do you want to come and meet him?’
He gave her a withering look. ‘Hardly. I can’t believe I’ve walked into the lion’s den. I suppose I’m persona non grata here with all your family. Well, they’d just better remember that these two are my children, and I’m every bit as entitled to be here as they are. More so.’
‘Ah, Joel. Welcome to Watersmeet.’
Jenna swallowed as her mum approached, a smile of sorts on her face, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
‘Alison,’ he said briefly.
‘It’s good that you’re here,’ she told him. ‘The girls look delighted.’
‘I know,’ he said briefly. ‘That’s why I came.’
‘Thank you for the presents,’ the twins chorused, and they all looked round to see that the bags had been emptied and there was wrapping paper all over the path.
The girls were surrounded by shiny toys and games that looked expensive.
Jenna could tell from their expressions, though, that nothing had particularly won their hearts.
‘You’re very welcome,’ Joel told them. ‘Now, pick all that paper up and put it in the bags please.’
The twins did as they were asked.
‘Shall we take the presents inside?’ Hallie enquired.
‘No, it’s okay. I’ll do that,’ Jenna said. ‘Why don’t you show your dad around?’
Joel gave her a look of horror, but Hallie and Ada grabbed his hands and told him he was going to love it and just wait until he met the ducks and the hens and the ponies and the Highlands.
Jenna picked up the presents, her mum helping her.
‘I didn’t really think he’d turn up, did you?’ her mum asked, as they carried the toys inside the house.
‘No, I didn’t,’ Jenna said honestly.
‘How do you feel, now that he’s here?’
They placed the presents on the table, along with the other gifts the twins had been given. Jenna stretched her back, not sure how to answer the question.
‘I don’t know,’ she said eventually. ‘He’s their dad, so of course it’s good for them that he’s here. But…’
‘But?’ her mum asked, arching an eyebrow.
‘I just don’t want him to spoil anything,’ Jenna admitted. ‘And he probably will, won’t he? He always does.’
‘Well,’ her mum said, ‘I always knew he was a bit of a wet blanket at events and get-togethers, but until you told me what had been really going on with him all these years, I had no idea how bad he was. Now I know, I wish he’d stayed away, for all your sakes.’
‘He’s their dad, though,’ Jenna reminded her.
‘It’s not me that needs telling,’ her mum said firmly. ‘Still, I’ll be polite, don’t worry. Even after everything he said to me earlier this year I’ll bite my tongue and make him welcome.’
‘Thanks, Mum. I know he doesn’t deserve it. It’s just…’ Jenna sighed. Just what? Why did she still have this feeling of loyalty towards a man who’d shown her precious little over the years?
Despite hoping that he wouldn’t show up today, she couldn’t deny that the moment she’d seen him striding down the path, her heart had hammered, her pulse had raced, and she’d felt as if her stomach was doing somersaults. Was she really still in love with him after everything he’d done?
She thought about Sam, and the moment they’d shared just before Joel arrived. It hadn’t felt the way it had when she’d seen Joel. Whatever it was she felt for Sam, it couldn’t be love, then. So, what was it? Affection, she supposed. And gratitude, for all he’d done for her.
Yet – there’d been something else. Something she couldn’t explain. It was all very confusing.
‘We’d better go back outside and make sure everything’s okay,’ her mum said, clearly aware that her daughter didn’t have any answers right now. She smiled. ‘And stop your grandad from eating all the food before Mam wallops him one for being such a greedy guts.’
Outside there was a sudden breeze blowing from the Humber, and Grandad and Evan were both eyeing the sky and issuing dark warnings about rain, even though there was barely a cloud in the sky.
‘You do talk rubbish, Stan,’ Gran said, shaking her head. ‘And you shouldn’t encourage him either,’ she told Evan. ‘You’re a vet, aren’t you? A man of science. Honestly!’
‘That’s me told,’ Evan said with a raised eyebrow. ‘Fierce, your wife, isn’t she?’
‘Soft as butter,’ Grandad said with a wink. ‘Don’t let her fool you.’
Jenna smiled, hearing the affection for his wife in his voice. It must be wonderful to be loved so deeply by someone for so many years.
She looked round, suddenly sure that someone was watching her. Sam was leaning against the wall, nursing a bottle of beer. As she met his gaze he tipped the bottle in her direction, as if toasting her. She smiled at him and he smiled back.
Then her arm was grabbed and she found herself being pulled towards the drive.
‘What the hell?’
Joel glared at her as they came to a halt by the gate. ‘Was that him?’ he demanded. ‘Was that Sam?’
Jenna blinked, not sure what he was talking about. ‘Was who Sam?’ she asked, bewildered.
‘The one in the pink shirt. The one you were just making eyes at.’
‘Making eyes at?’ Jenna would have laughed if she hadn’t been so angry that he’d hauled her away from the garden like a naughty child. ‘What the hell are you going on about? And where are the twins?’
‘I left them fussing round those bloody ponies with Niall’s kid.
All I’ve heard for the last twenty minutes is Sam this and Sam that.
Seb this and Seb that. Who’s Sam, I asked.
Who’s Seb? Imagine my surprise when I discovered that they’re the owners of that bloody pub over there.
’ He jabbed his finger in the direction of The North Star.
‘And apparently, dear Mummy is working there!’
Jenna shook off his hand. ‘What’s it got to do with you?’
‘Is everything all right, Jenna?’
She paled as she saw Sam strolling up to them, appearing perfectly calm and unhurried, but with a look in his eyes that she’d not seen before.
He was controlling it well, but she recognised it for what it was.
Anger. He was clearly disgusted with Joel for dragging her off like that, and as he met her husband’s gaze, he didn’t bother to hide it.
‘Sam, I presume?’ Joel drawled. ‘You must be Jenna’s boss.’
‘Not really,’ Sam said. ‘That would be my dad.’ He gave Joel a look of contempt then turned to Jenna. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine, Sam. Don’t worry. I’ll be back in a minute.’
‘Why shouldn’t she be okay?’ Joel demanded. ‘And what’s it got to do with you anyway? If I want to talk to my wife, I’ll talk to my wife.’
‘And you need to drag her around like a rag doll to do that, do you?’ Sam asked evenly.
‘What are you on about? Look, what is this?’ Joel turned to Jenna. ‘Is there something going on between you two, or what?’
Jenna’s face burned. ‘Sam’s my friend,’ she said. ‘A good friend.’
‘Clearly. Why is he buying my children riding lessons?’
‘Why don’t you ask me yourself?’ Sam said, folding his arms.
Joel glared at him. ‘Okay, I will. Why are you buying my children riding lessons?’
‘Because it’s their birthday.’
‘I’m aware of that. Why would you be buying them presents?’
‘Because they’re nice kids.’ Sam raised an eyebrow. ‘It’s their birthday. And I’ve been invited to their birthday barbecue.’
‘Why riding lessons, though?’ Joel asked impatiently.
‘It’s just one riding lesson, to see if they like it. Because they’re obsessed with those ponies, aren’t they? Especially Heatherstone. Well, he’s Ada’s favourite anyway, isn’t he?’
Joel stared at him, clearly not sure if Sam was telling the truth or not.
You’d know all that, if you bothered to ask them anything. Jenna decided it was time to get to the point. ‘What do you want to talk to me about anyway?’
‘I want to know why you’re working in a pub, and why you thought it was okay to take my children to work with you and let them play games with some old man they’d never met before.’
‘That “old man” is my dad,’ Sam said angrily. ‘What are you implying?’
‘They were perfectly safe,’ Jenna said. ‘Do you think I’d put them at risk? Of course I shared your concerns, and I kept checking up on them, as did Sam. Look, Seb’s right over there by the barbecue. Go and talk to him if you want. Put your mind at rest.’
‘Like that’s going to happen,’ Joel said.
‘Why have you taken on work anyway? You’re supposed to be on holiday.
You dragged my children to the back of beyond here for six weeks and I assumed it was because you wanted to spend time with them.
Instead, I hear you’re working behind a bar and leaving our girls with anyone who’ll have them. ’
‘With their family!’ Jenna snapped. ‘Not just anyone!’
‘And this Seb’s family now, is he?’
‘He’s a friend of the family,’ Jenna said. ‘My mum and Mac were at school with him. They’ve known him all their lives.’