Chapter 16
‘So, Jack’s smitten, is he?’ Jasmine grinned as she placed dinner on the table. Robin had been discussing his day at work and how upbeat Jack was.
Whilst pleased his best mate had met up with Tara, he still couldn’t help but be amused by the whole thing.
It was typical of Jack to be so keen at the start of a relationship.
Robin had seen it many times before, where his friend went all in, guns blazing, only to lose interest further down the line.
It was as if Jack revelled in the chase more than anything.
Robin had lost count of the number of women that Jack had sworn was ‘the one’, only to see the relationship fail for one reason or another.
‘Well, for now anyway,’ replied Robin.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Jasmine with a frown.
‘Until the novelty wears off I guess.’
‘How do you know it will?’ Jasmine sounded a touch surprised. ‘Maybe Jack’s ready to settle.’
Robin considered her words. Perhaps Jack was ready to settle down.
He reflected on his friend’s recent behaviour, noticing a change in him.
Whereas Jack was normally full of fun and spirit, he’d seemed subdued of late.
He was, and always had been, the life and soul of every party, but, Robin conceded, he’d known Jack since he was seventeen.
Could Jasmine be right? Maybe he was tired of drifting in and out of relationships and wanted that special person in his life.
After all, they were the same age and look at him.
He was more than happy with Jasmine and looking forward to parenthood. Why shouldn’t Jack want the same?
‘You’re right. Perhaps Dr O’Hara could be the one to finally tame Jack,’ said Robin thoughtfully.
‘You never know,’ replied Jasmine. Then added, ‘He could bring her to Emma and Felix’s party?’
Robin frowned.
‘The party to celebrate Felix’s drama being aired?’ reminded Jasmine.
‘Oh, yeah. Actually, that’s a good idea, it’d be a great chance for us all to meet her.’
‘And it’ll be so fascinating, being inside that lovely big house, among all the cast of Lady Scarlett Investigates.
’ Jasmine was looking forward to the do immensely.
The invites had only just arrived that morning and she assumed Jack would have received one too, knowing from Bunty that Emma intended to invite him.
Out of Samphire Bay, the only villagers invited to attend the party were Bunty and Perry, Jasmine and Robin, Jack and a plus one.
Jasmine got up from the table and reached for the invite on the kitchen worktop.
‘Here, look.’ She handed the card to Robin.
‘Very classy,’ he remarked, taking in the black background with silver art deco writing. Lady Scarlett appeared in the centre, dressed in a 1920s flapper dress, holding up a cocktail glass with a cheeky wink.
Come to the launch of Lady Scarlett Investigates.
Saturday, 19 July at 2 p.m.
Charades, The Tidal Road, Samphire Bay.
‘Charades?’ said Robin. ‘Since when has Bunty’s old house been called Charades?’ He sniggered.
‘Apparently Felix gave it that name for the drama and decided to keep it. I rather like it,’ replied Jasmine. Then her face suddenly contorted in pain, but quickly recovered.
‘Are you all right?’ Robin checked.
‘Yes, just a twinge. They’re on the move again,’ Jasmine answered, rubbing her swollen belly.
‘Sure?’ he persisted.
‘Yeah, honestly, I’m fine,’ she promised, smiling.
Perry was reading his invitation too whilst smiling to himself. Knowing full well how Bunty was going to react, he left it on the mantelpiece in view for her to see it. It didn’t take long for Bunty to notice.
‘Oh, look!’ she exclaimed, quickly picking it up to read, then couldn’t help but giggle at the house name. ‘Fancy my childhood home having such a playful name,’ she laughed.
‘Suits it though, doesn’t it?’ replied Perry. Personally, he found the name far more palatable than calling it ‘the big white house on the peninsula’, as it was often referred to.
‘Yes, I suppose it does,’ answered Bunty, already excited to attend the party.
‘It’s going to be such fun,’ she trilled, imagining the house alive with music and dance, not to mention watching the opening episode of the Lady Scarlett Investigates drama.
It would be so intriguing to see her former house as the home of the superstar sleuth.
Amazing really, considering how events had turned out.
Who would have thought of Felix Paschal buying the place and actually directing a TV series there?
It beggared belief. She wondered what her family would have made of it all.
Bunty suspected her mother would have been delighted, having a real fondness for the art deco period.
She no doubt would have enjoyed every minute.
As for Daddy… Well, she knew damn well he’d have hated the very idea.
Still, he wasn’t here now, was he? And Bunty had no intention of letting him nor his memory ruin anything again for her.
‘It’ll be wonderful hearing Emma sing,’ sighed Perry with pride.
‘Absolutely,’ agreed Bunty, again considering the turn of events.
If she hadn’t decided to sell her house, there wouldn’t have been an open house day and no piano in the hall.
For it had been the estate agent’s idea to decorate the huge, marbled entrance with a grand piano.
Emma had sung and played the instrument, looking every bit the part.
Felix Paschal had clearly been taken with both her and the house, declaring he’d buy the place after hearing her sing, providing the piano was part of the sale.
And the rest was history. Bunty smiled affectionately.
She was so glad her childhood home was in such good hands – and that she still had connections to it.
Jack, on reading his invite, raised an eyebrow.
Hmm, very interesting, he thought, seeing it as an ideal opportunity to involve Tara.
Who wouldn’t want to meet the rich and famous?
He could picture it now; him, looking suave and sophisticated, introducing her to his friends, well, a couple of them anyway, milling around the impressive rooms, rubbing shoulders with the stars, sipping champagne…
Oh yes, she couldn’t help but be impressed.
Yes, he’d invite her at their date at The Smugglers.
His thoughts then turned to tomorrow night, when he was meeting Tara.
They had exchanged mobile numbers the day she’d been at his house, after he’d asked her out.
Tara had explained that being a single parent could often involve a change of plan.
‘It should be fine, but just in case,’ she’d told him.
‘Calum is due to be at his dad’s that evening. ’
Jack checked his phone again, making sure there were no messages and all was on track. Good, there wasn’t one. Everything was still on.
For once, Jack had decided in advance on what to wear for his date. Usually, he’d just open his wardrobe and pull out the first thing to hand. In fact, he’d even bought a new outfit. The pale grey shirt highlighted his eyes perfectly.
The invite to the party had come at just the right time.
It would make great conversation, thought Jack.
Actually watching the first episode of the TV drama would be exciting too, especially amongst all the cast. Yeah, it was definitely going to be a good night, and for once, he wouldn’t feel like a gooseberry with Robin and Jasmine, he’d have a partner too.