HELEN
Nancy joined them at the table. ‘Klaus mentioned he bumped into you a couple of days ago.’
‘Yes, I walk the cliff path with Rocky most mornings now I’ve moved here permanently.’
‘Permanently?’ Nancy asked.
‘Yes, I had to sell the house in London to pay off my ex. So when Dad passed away, it made sense to move back to my parents’ house rather than sell that too.’
Nigel briefly glanced up at her, then turned his attention back to Rocky.
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Nancy said. ‘But Cove Cottage is in a lovely location.’
‘It needs lots of TLC, but I’m sure it will all work out for the best. I’m enjoying the fresh air, anyway.’
‘Are your boys moving here too?’
‘No. My eldest has got a job at the Treasury, so he’s got a flat share in Fulham, and my youngest is at uni in Bristol. He barely comes home now - except for today. I’m being honoured with a visit later. I’m not sure why. I suspect it’s woman trouble.’
Why did you say that? You’re sitting opposite a man who’s possibly got woman troubles of his own.
But if that comment had struck a chord with Nigel, he wasn’t showing it. He was keeping his attention firmly focused on Rocky.
Helen would love to know more about why he’d come here during the Christmas holidays without his wife and children, but it was probably all too raw.
He was hardly going to pour his heart out here, and he and Helen were strangers now, so he probably wouldn’t have told her even if Nancy and Klaus weren’t sitting next to them.
Nancy filled the silence. ‘I’m sure you’re looking forward to seeing your son again. I know I enjoy it when my boys are home.’
Nigel shuffled uncomfortably on his chair. Was he taking that as a dig about him rarely coming back to Dashford?
Klaus put his hand over Nancy’s. ‘You’ve got both of them home now, dear.’
‘Yes. Though I’m not sure for how long. Mark and Lucy are house hunting, and Nigel hasn’t shared his plans yet.’
Nigel was tickling Rocky’s tummy now. ‘That’s because I’m still working out what they are.’
‘Well, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. Perhaps Helen will give you a tour of Dashford? Show you everything that’s changed.’
Helen wasn’t sure what Nancy meant by that, but before she could ask, Nigel piped up. ‘Sounds like Helen’s going to be too busy to be my tour guide.’
Not the most enthusiastic response. She ought to make her excuses and go before she made a fool of herself.
After all, why would he want to spend time with her?
She’d always been amazed that the posh public school boy from the big house had been happy to hang out with a girl from the local comp.
Now he was used to socialising with sophisticated Manhattan women, why would he give her a second glance?
But there was part of her that didn’t want to give up on Nigel entirely. ‘I’ll let you have my number. Give me a shout if you’re ever free.’
Nigel gave her a half smile. ‘Yeah. Why not?’