Chapter 14
Jack checked his watch yet again. Where was she? He so hoped to see Dr O’Hara again on the beach. It was Saturday morning, similar time to last week when she’d been jogging behind him. He decided to run down to the wooded area, where he suspected she must have come from.
Jack hadn’t overdone his run so far, not wanting to appear too hot and sweaty.
He’d also chosen to wear his most flattering tight hoodie and hugging tracksuit bottoms. To his elation, he could just about make out a figure coming through the pine trees.
Squinting further, he saw a head of red hair.
It was her! She was here! Nice and easy, Jack, he told himself, suddenly feeling a tad apprehensive, surprising even himself.
Normally he wouldn’t show any hesitation when approaching a woman, naturally having an air of confidence and charisma.
As coolly as he could, he ran up the beach towards her, planning ever so casually to stop for breath and wave up, hoping to instigate conversation.
He took strong, firm strides as though demonstrating his powerful prowess.
The figure in the distance was getting closer and closer.
He took in her slim body in black leggings and a loose white T-shirt.
She wore dark sunglasses blocking out the bright morning sunshine.
She too was running at a steady pace. As Jack got nearer he began to slow down, timing it with exact precision to meet her.
Then, just as he approached her, he lost his footing and fell flat on the sand with a thud.
Bloody hell, he cursed, of all the times to trip and fall.
However, it did give him an advantage he quickly realised, when Tara hurried to his rescue.
‘Are you OK?’ she asked with concern, leaning over him. She’d taken off her sunglasses and Jack was gazing up at those stunning green eyes. He was fine actually, but never one to miss an opportunity, Jack decided to play it up a little to ensure her attention.
‘I… think so.’ He hesitated and winced when moving his left leg.
Immediately Tara knelt beside him. ‘Here, let me see.’ She felt his ankle then moved her hand over his calf muscle. ‘Does it hurt?’ she asked.
‘Err…’ Jack didn’t want to admit it didn’t in case she removed her hand and left him.
‘Here, try standing,’ said Tara. She held her hands out to help him up. Jack took them and stood with ease.
‘I think I’m OK,’ he said with a smile. Didn’t she remember him, now his face was closer to hers? Obviously not. There was no trace of recognition from her. Then she looked at his hand, having felt the rough edge of his stitched scar.
Jack, seeing her glance at his wound, swiftly explained, ‘You were the doctor in A&E who stitched my hand.’
‘Oh yes, I remember.’ She returned his smile, making Jack’s insides melt. ‘How’s it been?’
‘Hmm?’ He was transfixed by her.
‘The hand, how is it?’ She tipped her head towards his stitches.
‘Oh, fine, thanks. I’m back at work now.’
‘Ah, I see. It’s the warehouse by the quay in Lancaster you’re renovating, isn’t it?’
She remembered! ‘Yes, that’s right.’ There was a slight pause.
‘Well… If you’re OK, I’ll…’ Tara was about to turn and start running again.
‘Would you mind walking back home with me?’ Jack hastily asked. ‘Just in case I trip again?’ He nodded towards his pretend injured leg.
‘Of course. Where do you live?’ asked Tara.
‘Not far, just up there in the cove,’ answered Jack rather smugly, anticipating her reaction.
‘That beach house?’ she replied in delight.
Jack nodded proudly. ‘Yes. That’s mine.’
‘Oh, it’s amazing! I noticed it the other day and was admiring it.’
I know, thought Jack with glee.
‘Come on, I’ll show you round if you want,’ he grinned.
‘Would you?’ Her eyes widened with joy, giving Jack a warm glow inside.
‘Yeah, of course. It’s the least I can do. This is the second time you’ve come to my rescue,’ he teased. How he loved it when a plan came together.
They chatted easily as they walked back up the beach to the cove. When they reached his house, Tara noticed how easily he ran up the wooden steps to the front door and smiled wryly to herself. His leg seemed to have mended very quickly, she noted.
Normally, she wouldn’t have entertained the idea of entering a stranger’s home alone, but it was plainly clear Jack genuinely wanted to show off his place.
And why wouldn’t he? Tara was totally in awe of it.
Her eyes took in the hot tub on the decking outside and the seating area.
It was absolutely ideal, a real sociable area.
Her gaze then slid to Jack. Yes, he looked the outgoing kind.
She imagined him throwing parties here, full of handsome men like him and glamorous girls, all laughing together.
Tara doubted he’d be short of girlfriends and wondered if he had one.
Could there be someone inside, waiting for him to return from his run?
It was feasible, after all, that he was only being polite to her, returning a favour according to him.
As they entered the beach house, Tara was immediately taken by the panoramic views the huge windows gave. She whistled softly. Facing him, she was lost for words. Jack wallowed in satisfaction.
‘It’s Jack, by the way.’ He offered a hand. He wasn’t sure if she’d remembered his name from hospital, knowing she’d see a multitude of patients. ‘Jack Knowles.’
‘Tara O’Hara,’ she replied with a firm handshake, then waited for the usual lip twitch her name often brought. And there it was, she thought drearily, seeing Jack’s response.
‘What a lovely rhymey name,’ he said with a half-laugh.
‘I chose to go back to my maiden name when I divorced.’ She added in a flat tone, ‘Tara O’Hara sounds better than Tara Totty.’
‘Tara Totty?’ spluttered Jack, totally unable to hide his amusement.
‘Yeah,’ she replied with a grim look.
‘Dr Totty.’
‘OK, don’t rub it in.’ Tara laughed, seeing the funny side.
It was hard not to when looking at Jack.
He obviously had a good sense of humour, which she liked, maybe because she wasn’t used to it.
Living with Richard had provided little fun and even less when separating from him.
The only comedy she experienced was catching Calum in a good mood and sharing his teenage jokes.
Tara suddenly realised how long it had been since she’d actually laughed with an adult.
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ said Jack with a raised eyebrow, ‘I rather think you suit the name Dr Totty.’
She rolled her eyes. If only she had a pound for every time she’d heard a connotation of that kind.
‘Anyway,’ Jack swiftly moved on, ‘fancy a coffee?’
‘Thanks.’ She smiled, appreciating the change of subject.
Whilst Jack busied himself making the drinks, Tara continued her scrutiny of his home.
The inside was every bit as impressive as the exterior, with its sleek modern kitchen and stylish furniture.
He clearly has good taste, she concluded.
She dearly longed to look upstairs but didn’t dare ask. That really would appear intrusive.
‘There you go.’ Jack passed her a steaming mug.
‘Thanks.’
He tipped his head towards the settee. ‘Let’s sit down.’
Once sat, Tara’s eyes immediately drew to the glass gable end that overlooked the inside of the cove, giving a sense of being at one with the grey rock the house was built into.
‘You must love living here,’ she said in admiration.
‘I do. I never take it for granted. So much work went into designing and building it.’
‘I bet.’
‘My dad, sister and I worked on it,’ he announced proudly.
‘Really?’ Tara asked in surprise.
‘Yeah, my dad’s an architect and Natalie, my sister, is an interior designer.’
‘That figures.’ She nodded. Then, a penny suddenly dropped. Jack’s surname was Knowles… and his dad was an architect.
Seeing her expression, Jack frowned. What was she thinking?
‘It was a real family project,’ he continued, eyeing her carefully.
‘Is your family connected to Knowles & Carter Architects?’ she asked.
‘Yes, that’s my dad’s business,’ he replied in surprise. ‘Do you know it?’
‘Oh, only from a friend, that’s all. I think your dad designed an extension of hers.’ And that’s not all, she thought tartly. So, Jack was Austin Knowles’ son… Well, well.