Chapter 28
Philippa returns ten minutes after Jack leaves.
‘Where did you get to?’ Eve asks.
‘Just down to the shops for a natter. Looked in at the pet shop to see if they had anything new.’
‘Like what?’
‘Oh, snakes, monkeys, that kind of thing…’
‘Why would anyone want snakes or monkeys?’
‘You’d be surprised. Broad range of interests, people have round here.’
‘And did they?’
‘Naw. Just a couple of ferrets.’ She grins. ‘You and Jack Demerell, eh?’
‘Stop it, Philippa.’
‘He’s a good-looking bloke, that’s for sure. Broken more than one heart round here. No money to speak of, but otherwise definitely a catch.’
‘Not going to happen.’
Philippa folds her arms. ‘If you say so.’
‘Claire. His ex. What was she like?’
‘Why would you want to know that?’
‘Just wondering.’
Philippa shrugs. ‘Not my cup of tea, that’s for sure. Too sharp by half. Quite a lot of lads round here go into the military, and everyone knows that when they come back from a combat zone, they’re likely to be a bit… funny. Drinking, picking fights and that.’
‘You mean traumatised?’
‘Call it what you like, but wives and girlfriends know they need to be patient with them.’
‘Very patient, I’d imagine.’
‘Yeah. Well. Claire wasn’t. Didn’t get why Jack was behaving like he was. Couldn’t understand why he wasn’t out there applying for all those high-paying jobs.’
‘Which high-paying jobs?’
‘The ones that being an army officer is supposed to qualify you for.’
‘But doesn’t?’
‘What do you think?’
‘Jack asked me to a concert in the church. Tonight.’
‘Wooh, Eve.’ Philippa grins. ‘Slippery slope.’
‘Nothing’s going to happen. Trust me.’
‘Why not?’
‘I’m not anywhere near, like, dating…’
‘Again, why not?’
Eve shrugs. ‘You know why not.’
‘You haven’t even told me her name.’
‘I can’t.’
‘You can’t say it.’
‘Not out loud, no.’
‘She’s really tied you in knots, hasn’t she?’
‘I’ve tied myself in knots, Philippa. I don’t know who I am any more. I have no idea what I’m doing, or where I’m going.’
Philippa takes Eve’s hands in hers. ‘Sit down. Breathe.’ She thumbs Eve’s knuckles for a few moments, then reaches for the cat. ‘Stroke Pye.’
Pye submits with ill grace as Eve runs her fingers through his fur.
‘None of us knows where we’re going,’ Philippa says gently. ‘We’re not meant to. So let it go. But I do think you should go out with Jack tonight. Dress up, make yourself look nice, and have some fun. It’ll be good for you.’
Eve nods. ‘I’m sorry,’ she says. ‘You’ve got Tom to think of, and all I can do is obsess about my love life. I’m ashamed of myself, I really am.’
‘We’ve all been under a bit of pressure, haven’t we, Pye? Yes, you too, you randy bugger, so we’re going to chill, and figure out a way forward.’ She looks at Eve. ‘So what are you going to wear tonight?’