Chapter 31
THIRTY-ONE
JESS
When Maisie and Libby began to yawn, Jess decided it was time it call it a night.
‘You stay,’ she told her mum, who was chatting away to everyone. It was a glimpse of the old Carol that Jess was pleased to witness. Wisteria House was starting to have that effect on everyone who passed through its doors, it seemed.
‘Are you sure?’ Carol seemed uncertain.
‘Course I am.’ Jess smiled.
‘Okay, but I won’t be far behind you, love. I’ll just finish my drink,’ she told her.
‘I’ll walk you to the door,’ said Declan, who was dying to get Jess alone and ask her if she fancied a game of indoor golf at an immersive experience, complete with a DJ spinning club tunes through the night.
He thought a light, fun evening might be the right thing for a first date, rather than a candlelit meal somewhere.
Outside Jess’s flat, Declan tentatively suggested the night out to Jess.
‘That sounds perfect.’ She smiled. ‘I’ve been thinking I could do with a bit more fun in my life these days,’ she admitted.
‘Brilliant. I’ll get it booked,’ said Declan, hoping they still had an available slot.
‘Night, then.’ He stood a little awkwardly for a second, before leaning in and kissing Jess on the cheek, whilst Maisie and Libby giggled.
‘Goodnight, Declan.’
Inside, Jess touched her cheek, and thought about how it might have felt if Declan’s lips had brushed hers. Tomorrow evening could not come quick enough.
As she put the girls to bed, Jess found herself thinking about Declan.
She couldn’t deny the chemistry between them any longer, yet a part of her was worried.
Maisie was already fond of Declan and she couldn’t bear the thought of her growing used to having him around if things didn’t work out between them.
In her own head, she could hear her mum’s voice telling her that sometimes you had to go with the flow, otherwise you would never do anything in life. She was right, of course. She certainly didn’t want to live with a lifetime of regrets.
All the same, Jess thought it right to tread carefully for the sake of her daughter. Yet despite her reservations she was really looking forward to her date tomorrow.