Chapter 18
“I think it’s safe to assume you and Peter enjoyed a wonderful night together,” Jill said to Gaby after she’d waved her friends off.
Gaby hung up her coat on the hallway rack and turned to see the delighted smile on her aunt’s face. “It was a fun night.”
“I fear I might have interrupted the pair of you when I flung open the door.”
“Of course you didn’t.”
Jill arched an eyebrow, making Gaby laugh.
“We’d already said goodnight.”
“And if that blush on your cheeks is anything to go by, it was quite a farewell.”
Gaby laughed again. “You’re just teasing me to amuse yourself.”
“On the contrary. I’m not teasing you at all. I’m thrilled that you and Peter are enjoying each other’s company. And if that involves some shared romantic moments on my doorstep at the end of the evening, then that makes me happier still.”
Gaby peeled off the murderous boots she’d worn and moaned in relief. “My poor feet. I might never walk again. I don’t know what I was thinking wearing these new boots when I knew there’d be dancing at the pub.”
“Ah, that’s right, I forgot about the dancing you mentioned. Was it fun?”
“So much fun.” She couldn’t help blushing again at the memory of being in Peter’s arms. When she saw her aunt’s delighted smile, she only rolled her eyes. “I haven’t enjoyed dancing like that for a while. Peter knows how to move around the dance floor.”
“Yes, I can quite imagine he does. Shall we put the kettle on or have a nightcap instead?”
“If you’re up for a nightcap, then so am I.”
“Good. Those ladies of mine thoroughly thrashed me at cards tonight. There were no special considerations afforded for a poor, recuperating invalid and they gleefully reminded me that I was the one who’d insisted that’s how it should be.
I think I deserve a splash of whisky to recover from the humiliation. ”
In the kitchen, Jill supervised Gaby as she poured their drinks, a single malt for Jill and a Bailey’s for Gaby. Once they were settled in the living room, Gaby rubbed at her aching feet and sipped her drink.
“I haven’t had one of these in years,” Gaby said, savouring the creamy taste.
“You know, the first time ever tried Bailey’s was during that summer I lived here with you, Aunt Jill.
I think we’d gone out together to the cinema one evening and you poured us both a nightcap when we got back. I felt very grown up.”
“Yes, I think I remember that.” She nodded to Gaby’s glass and smiled. “Another walk down memory lane for you.”
Gaby laughed. “There have been many of those since I got here.” She sipped her drink and considered her next words. “Peter asked to spend more time with me over the weekend.”
“Of course he did. Why wouldn’t he want to spend time with you, Gaby? You’re a beautiful and fascinating young woman. Any right-thinking man would want to be in your company.”
“You’re biased, Aunt Jill.”
“And I don’t apologise for that.”
“I told Peter I wanted to check in with you before I committed to any more time with him.”
Jill swallowed her mouthful of whisky and frowned. “Gaby, you most certainly don’t have to check in with me. You are a grown woman, for goodness’ sake. You don’t need my permission to see Peter again.”
“I came here to help you, not gallivant around with a man.”
Jill chuckled. “You are an old soul, Gaby. I always knew that and it makes you who you are. But you are helping me, my dear. Just having you here in my company is lifting my spirits. Knowing you’re sleeping here in the house each night is a huge comfort to me while I’m still healing.
I haven’t needed any help overnight but knowing you’re here in the event of some problem or emergency has given me huge peace of mind.
My friends and neighbours are wonderful but the last thing I’d want to do is rouse them in the small hours.
Knowing I wouldn’t have to do that because you’re here has helped me sleep better and heal faster. ”
“I’m glad to know that.”
“And during the first few days after you arrived, you hardly left my side. Don’t forget that.
I’m over the worst of the recovery now and don’t need you at my beck and call.
I have friends coming and going, and I’ve been able to get out and about with their assistance.
I’m entirely on the mend now. The help you gave me during those first few days, though, that was above and beyond, and it made an enormous difference to me.
You only have a few more days here before you leave and nothing gives me more happiness than knowing you might spend it with Peter. ”
Gaby sipped more of her drink. “So, if I agreed to see him for a while on Saturday and maybe Sunday too, you wouldn’t mind?”
“Not in the least. If you were able to spare some time tomorrow morning for a few errands, that will help me tick off some tasks on my to-do list, and after that, you should go and be with your young man.”
Gaby laughed and shook her head. “He’s not my young man, Aunt Jill. To be honest, part of me wonders if I’m mad to want to spend more time with him. It’s going to make leaving harder than it needs to be.”
Jill looked thoughtful for a moment. “You’re used to leaving people and places that have come to mean something to you, my dear. You’ll manage it this time too.”
Something about the way her aunt said this brought a punch of emotion into Gaby’s throat. She pushed it down with a generous sip of Bailey’s.
“So, tell me about these errands you have in mind for tomorrow morning,” she said to cover her reaction.
Jill rattled off the errands—some letters to be posted, signed paperwork to drop off at her solicitor’s office, a special-order collection from one of the shops on the high street, along with a few household tasks too.
“It shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours to take care of,” Jill said. “So why don’t you tell young Peter that you’ll be free from lunchtime onwards.”
“Okay,” she said, already tapping out a message on her phone to that effect. “Whatever we get up to, I’ll come back here in the evening and you and I can eat dinner together.”
“Actually, I won’t be here for dinner tomorrow, which is another reason I’m glad you’ve got Peter to keep you entertained.
Our walking club holds a potluck dinner one Saturday each month and we plan our various walking routes for the weeks ahead.
I thought I’d have to skip it this month because I wouldn’t feel up to the larger group setting and the inevitable noise of the discussions that we have.
Although it will be some time before I can start going for long walks and hikes again, I’d like to go along to our dinner meeting and I feel confident enough in my healing and progress to survive the evening. ”
“I’m so glad you feel able to do things like that again, Aunt Jill. I know these past two weeks of recovery have been tough because you’ve had to cut out your usual socialising and activities.”
“I like being busy. Having to take things slowly has been a challenge. If you had no other plans, I would’ve happily spent a lovely Saturday evening with you, Gaby.
However, I won’t have you interrupt time with Peter just to rush back here to be with me, especially when I feel ready to experiment with returning to one of my club nights. ”
“If it gets too much for you, just let me know and I’ll come and get you.”
“If it gets too much for me, I’ll make one of my friends bring me home. I won’t be short of volunteers, I assure you.”
“Okay. But you must promise to drop me a message so I know you’re doing okay.”
“It’s a deal.” A sparkle lit up Jill’s eyes. “And you must promise to drop me a message if your afternoon and evening with Peter looks set to turn into an overnight stay.”
Gaby almost choked on her drink. “I can promise you that absolutely will not happen.”
“Never say never,” Jill said with a cackle and finished the last of her whisky. “Well, I’ve had my nightcap and I’m worn out from the day. I’m turning in. Goodnight, Gaby.”
“Goodnight, Aunt Jill.”
Once her aunt had shuffled off on her crutches to prepare for bed, Gaby washed their glasses in the kitchen and turned out the lights. Upstairs, she changed into pyjamas and walked to the window to close the curtains. She flicked the blinds to look outside.
Foxglove Street was quiet and tucked up for the night.
Light spilled from a few windows here and there, but it was long past midnight and most people were probably already in bed.
Thin drizzle fell from the inky sky and sparkled as it passed beneath the streetlamps.
A man huddled in an anorak hurried past on the pavement with a little terrier dog walking at his side on a lead, but otherwise the street was empty.
It looked so comforting and lovely in the stillness of the night, with its bare trees and dark windows and the sense that everyone who lived here was safely at home and already fast asleep.
The whimsical thought made Gaby wonder if the nightcap had gone to her head. She closed the curtains and climbed into bed and let out a happy sigh.
Her mind filled with images of dancing in Peter’s arms tonight and kissing him goodbye. Her skin tingled at the memory of his touch.
A ping from her phone had her checking her messages. She found a reply from Peter to her earlier text when she’d told him she’d be free from lunchtime tomorrow if he still wanted to get together.
I’ll pick you up at noon. Can’t wait to see you again.
She couldn’t wait to see him either. The excitement made her feel like a seventeen-year-old girl again, stupidly lovestruck.
As she drifted off to sleep, the weekend ahead glittered like treasure waiting to be discovered.