Chapter Eight
“Be good, and we’ll try not to be too late back,” said Nathan seriously to Monty and Dennis.
“And don’t do anything we wouldn’t do,” added Jessica, unsuccessfully attempting to divert her attention from her ‘date’ for the evening.
Nathan was wearing indigo jeans and a pale blue shirt rolled up to his elbows. He was fresh out of the shower, his hair still damp and smelling of grapefruit shampoo. Jessica couldn’t stop her stomach from doing a little flip at the sight of him.
“You look lovely,” Nathan said to her as they began the short walk to his friend’s house. Jessica smiled; she’d put a lot of effort into her appearance this evening. The short floral dress she wore would have looked better with heels, but other than that, she was pleased with how she looked.
“I’m not convinced the crutches quite go with the outfit, but thanks.”
“You’re sure you don’t want to go in the car?”
“We’re almost halfway there now anyway, and you’ll want to have a drink tonight. I’ll be fine.”
“OK, but I can always walk home and get the car to pick you up if you need me to. I’m not going to drink much, I’ve got work tomorrow,” Nathan reassured her.
“Thanks. I’ll bear that in mind. Have you been to Stephen’s house before?”
“Just once.”
“So, the friendship is still in the early stages.”
“Very early stages,” clarified Nathan. “Frankly, you’re my secret weapon to increase my popularity.”
“Oh, really?” replied Jessica. “You know I’m not very sociable?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m bringing a beautiful ballet dancer to the barbecue. I’m going to be the most popular guest there.”
Jessica laughed. “An injured ballerina.”
“That’s even better: you have an air of tragedy about you.”
“Weirdo.”
“Just telling the truth.”
Not many steps later, Nathan said, “Here we are.” He indicated a grey terraced house with a dark blue door.
“Are you OK?” he asked. “You look a little stressed.”
“Kind of,” said Jessica. “Honestly, I’m not great at meeting new non-dance people for the first time.”
“Seriously? But you dance in front of hundreds of people. I thought you’d be so confident.”
“Nope! But I’m ready,” she said. “Ring the doorbell. Anyone looking out will think we’re nuts standing here on the doorstep chatting.”
Nathan pressed the doorbell, and the door was opened by a tall man wearing shorts and a shirt covered in palm trees. His receding hairline gave away that he was a few years older than Nathan.
“Hey! I’m so glad you could come!”
“Wouldn’t have missed it,” replied Nathan. “Stephen, this is my friend, Jessica. Jessica, our host, Stephen.”
“Hello,” said Jessica with what she hoped was a charming smile. She really was feeling nervous now, which was daft because it was just a little barbecue, and she’d most likely never see these people again after this evening anyway.
“Come on through and grab a drink — everyone’s in the garden.”
The house was small and cosy, full of books, comfy chairs and knick-knacks. Jessica liked it immediately. The door to the garden was through the kitchen, and a few people were in there sorting out drinks.
“Hi, Nathan, thanks for coming,” said a woman, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Jessica bristled slightly despite herself, until Nathan said, “Jess, this is Stephen’s wife, Amelia. Jessica’s staying with me at the moment while her foot heals.”
“I hope you’re not stuck with him for too long,” joked Amelia. “Doctors are the worst people to live with when you’ve got anything wrong with you.”
Jessica laughed. “He’s actually been brilliant — if a bit bossy.”
Nathan threw her a look of mock indignation. “That’s the thanks I get!”
“I said you’d been brilliant!”
“Can I get you both a drink before you end up falling out completely and leaving early?” asked Amelia.
“We brought some beers with us,” said Nathan. “May I put them in the fridge?”
“If you can find room! There are some other people from the surgery outside.”
“Excellent,” he said. “Beer, Jess?”
“Sure.”
He carried their drinks outside, where Jessica was grateful to see lots of available chairs.
A group of people called Nathan over, and they sat down in a couple of seats with them.
“So,” said one man, eyeing up Jessica, “We finally get to meet Nathan’s new girlfriend. We’ve been wondering why he’s been running off home so quickly after work recently.”
“Jess and I aren’t together,” Nathan said quickly.
“I’m just staying with Nathan for a while. We’re old school friends,” added Jessica.
“What did you do to your foot?” asked a small woman, who looked around Jessica’s age.
“I was pushed over by my dad’s unruly dog, and ended up breaking it.”
“Oh no! And you’re staying with Nathan while it heals?”
“Just for a while. I live in New York. I flew over here to surprise my family, but they were leaving to go on holiday, and then I broke my foot, and Nathan stepped in to help me out.”
“What a hero.” The woman looked over at Nathan. It was completely obvious that she fancied him and had been fishing for information about Jessica’s relationship with him.
“He certainly is,” said Jessica, automatically putting her hand on Nathan’s knee. Why had she done that? She glanced at Nathan and saw that he was looking down at her hand. He looked up and caught her gaze. His hand covered hers and gave it a little squeeze. He didn’t move it away.
What is happening here? thought Jessica. “What do you do in New York?” asked someone else.
“I’m a ballet dancer,” Jessica said. She instantly had everyone’s attention.
“Wow! Who do you dance with?”
“Are you with a company?”
“Where have you performed?”
The questions came thick and fast.
Nathan leaned closer to her, making her skin tingle. “Told you so,” he whispered into her ear.
* * *
Three hours later and everyone had eaten. Jessica was stuffed full of king prawns, roasted vegetables and salad. The drinks had been flowing so well that people were now dancing. The group Jessica and Nathan had been part of had gradually gone to join the makeshift dance floor on the patio until only the two of them remained.
“Go and dance if you want to,” said Jessica. “I’ll be fine here by myself.”
The song finished, and another slower one started.
“Dance with me,” Nathan said.
Jessica stuck her plastered foot out to remind him of her predicament.
“You can just sway,” he said, offering her his hand.
Jessica found herself putting her hand in his. She stood up and Nathan swept her into his arms.
“Oh...” Her memory of him carrying her before had been right. It had been a very nice experience.
Nathan walked with her into the centre of the dance floor and placed Jessica down carefully.
“Wow.” Jessica gulped. “A girl could get used to this kind of treatment.”
Her eyes met his. His gaze was intense, his dark pupils dilated.
She reached up and put her hands around Nathan’s neck. She felt his hands on her waist and rested her head on his chest. Maybe she shouldn’t have had the couple of beers she’d been enjoying during the evening. Should she break away? She could say her foot was hurting. That would be the perfect excuse to stop whatever it was they were doing here.
They moved in silence together, their bodies as close as it was possible to get them.
Nathan bent his head down. “Are you all right?” he whispered.
This was her chance to break away without anyone’s feelings being hurt. They could just pretend nothing had happened. He knew she loved to dance, and had presumably thought she might like to try to join in with everyone else. It was a friendly thing to offer, but she could claim it had made her foot ache, and so had to be abandoned. No big deal.
Instead, Jessica nodded. She lifted her head and her eyes met Nathan’s again. And suddenly his lips were on hers. Achingly gentle, tentatively exploring. He tightened his hold as she gave into her desire for him and their kiss deepened.
Then the song stopped and Pink’s “Get the Party Started” began playing and their moment was over. Someone bumped into Jessica and apologised. Nathan steadied her.
Jessica reluctantly broke apart from him.
“I think I’d better sit this one out,” she said. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire.
She half expected Nathan to pick her up again, but he didn’t, though he did offer her his arm to aid her in hobbling back to her chair.
What had she been thinking kissing Nathan? She was going back to New York in a week and a half, and she certainly didn’t want a relationship — she didn’t have time for a relationship for one thing, even if there wasn’t going to be an ocean separating them soon! And in front of all those people! That wasn’t like her at all. What had come over her? Was she drunk? No, she’d only had two small beers, though she did feel rather light-headed now.
She had to admit, it had been a lovely kiss. She’d never been kissed like that before, with that intensity, so she felt it throughout her whole body. But that didn’t matter. Nothing could come of it. And they would both get hurt if they started something there couldn’t possibly be any future in.
Thankfully, Nathan was called over to speak to someone on the other side of the garden, giving Jessica a chance to collect her thoughts.
She really valued her friendship with Nathan, and she didn’t want to ruin that.
She looked over at him talking to his friend. He laughed and glanced over at her. She managed to give him a little smile in return. He was so good to her, so kind and thoughtful. He’d be an amazing boyfriend, though not for her. Why on earth had she gone and spoilt everything?
Another man had joined in the conversation with Nathan and his friend. Seizing her opportunity, Jessica grabbed her crutches and put her cross-body bag over herself. As quickly and unobtrusively as possible, she snuck into the house. The kitchen was empty. Checking over her shoulder that Nathan hadn’t spotted her, she made her way along the hall and out of the front door onto the street.
She breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly messaged Nathan so he wouldn’t worry: My foot’s done for the night. I’m heading back to yours.
That should buy her some time to sort her head out and work out how to salvage her friendship with Nathan if that was even possible.
She’d only made it to the corner of the street when she heard, “Jess! Jess! Wait up.”
She stopped and turned. She’d known deep down that he would come out to find her as soon as he read her message, and it wasn’t like she could move particularly quickly.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “Go back and enjoy the party.”
“Don’t be daft,” Nathan said immediately. “Let’s go home. I think we need to talk.”
“OK, but you should go and say goodbye.”
“Yes, I should.”
“Would you say thank you from me? I’ll meet you back home.”
Nathan didn’t look happy about her walking by herself, but the determined look on her face told him there was no point in arguing this one.
“OK, but you might at least like to take the house keys with you.” He handed Jessica a set of keys, making her blush. She’d been so anxious to get away she hadn’t even thought about how she’d get into the house. “I’ll see you soon.” He gave her arm a gentle goodbye squeeze and walked back towards the party.
* * *
Jessica received a hero’s welcome from Monty and Dennis, but not even their wagging tails and the fact that she’d managed to keep her balance when they came bounding over to her could make her smile.
She couldn’t believe that she’d given in to a stupid whim to kiss Nathan. The first time she’d ever managed a proper friendship with a man — in fact, one of the only proper friendships she’d ever had — and she’d gone and messed it up.
She went into the kitchen and put on the kettle, automatically taking out two mugs to make Nathan a drink as well.
She continued berating herself: she really couldn’t have chosen anyone more unsuitable to make a pass at. Not only was he one of her only genuine friends, but he lived thousands of miles away from her, and, from the sounds of things, he already had some sort of a relationship going with whoever this Claire woman was. Plus, he knew absolutely nothing about ballet and the world she lived in. He’d never understand her unusual life.
She made two cups of tea. She never normally drank the stuff, but she was in the mood for something comforting, and tea seemed to fit the bill. Anyway, wasn’t tea what British people traditionally drank when they had a problem?
Nathan knocked on the door as she was finishing making the drinks.
“Thanks,” he said when she let him in.
“Only you would say thank you to someone for opening your own front door to you,” said Jessica. As much as she didn’t want to have the conversation that was coming, she knew they had to. “Come into the kitchen, I’ve made you a cup of tea.”
They sat opposite each other at the table.
“So . . .” Nathan began.
“Yeah . . .”
“I don’t think either of us planned for that to happen.”
“No,” agreed Jessica. “The beer, and the party atmosphere...”
“Exactly. I’m sorry I overstepped the mark.”
“Me too.”
“I really don’t want this to make things weird between us.”
“Me neither, but if it is, and you’d rather I went back to my mum and dad’s house, I can. I’m moving around much better now,” said Jessica.
“No,” replied Nathan immediately. “Please don’t go because of this. I’ve... really enjoyed having you here, and I want you to stay until your parents come back. You still wouldn’t be able to walk Monty by yourself. But of course, if you don’t feel comfortable staying here...”
“No, it’s not that! It’s just that well... Claire,” said Jessica awkwardly.
“Claire?” said Nathan, looking surprised.
“Yeah,” said Jessica, embarrassed and wishing she hadn’t brought the subject up. It was Nathan’s business, and if he’d wanted to talk about it then he would have. But he’d sort of made it her business when he’d kissed her. “I overheard your mum asking what Claire would think about me staying here, so I’m guessing she’s your girlfriend... partner...?”
“She’s my wife,” said Nathan. “Well, ex-wife as of next week.”
“Oh.” Nathan was married? That wasn’t something Jessica had even considered. He certainly didn’t go around acting like someone who was married, well, separated, and very nearly divorced.
“I’m not very good at talking about it,” Nathan explained. “But we’ll be divorced in a few days. I only didn’t mention her because I really don’t like discussing her. I was having a good time with you, and it was nice not to be thinking about the divorce or the stupid decisions I’ve made in my life.”
“I’m sorry . . .”
“It’s not your fault, and I would have told you at some point. There just didn’t seem to be any need to yet.”
“So you definitely aren’t in a relationship, then?” asked Jessica. At least she didn’t need to feel guilty about stealing another woman’s bloke that way.
“No,” Nathan said. He took a deep breath. “Honestly, I still find it hard to imagine being in a relationship again. My marriage ending was pretty brutal.” He took Jessica’s hand. “I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you tonight. It wasn’t fair of me.”
“I kissed you just as much as you kissed me,” she said, which brought a smile to Nathan’s face.
“Yes, you did,” he said. She could swear he was blushing.
“But I’m going home to New York. You’re an amazing guy but...”
“It’s not the right time to start something between us,” Nathan finished for her.
“Exactly. If things were different . . .”
“But they’re not.”
“Do you think we can go back to just being friends?” Jessica asked.
“I would love that,” Nathan said, coming over to give her a hug. Jessica couldn’t help breathing in some of his scent. “I’ve never had such a hot friend,” he whispered into her hair.
Jessica laughed. “I definitely have. Loads of them in fact,” she teased.
“You should have no trouble keeping your hands off me, then.”
“No trouble at all.” They held eye contact for a shade too long before Jessica broke away.
“So now that I know about Claire, do you want to talk about her? It might help,” she asked, hoping to change the subject from the two of them.
“Maybe another time,” Nathan said, his face clouding.
“OK, I’m always available if you need to chat.”
“That’s good to know.”
“I think I might have an early night,” she said. “It’s been an eventful evening.”
“It certainly has. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
Nathan gave her a tiny kiss on her forehead. “I’ll let the dogs out and then I’ll join you,” he said, then quickly backtracked, “In having an early night, I mean, not actually joining you.”
Jessica laughed. “Don’t worry. I know what you meant.” She couldn’t stop herself giving Nathan a flirtatious wink before leaving the room.
* * *
What Jessica discovered over the next few days was that kissing Nathan at the barbecue had changed her relationship with him, but not in the way she’d thought it would. Acknowledging they were attracted to one another meant that they both felt free to show it, safe in the knowledge that they knew their flirtation wouldn’t lead anywhere. This probably wasn’t the best of ideas, but Jessica loved spending time with Nathan, and doing so made her feel good about herself at a time when she would have been pretty low without him around. It was nice to be desired even when she was hobbling around on crutches.
However, she could tell there was a definite change in mood when Nathan came home at lunchtime on Thursday to walk the dogs.
“Is today the day?” she asked, as he sat silently eating the lentil salad she’d made them.
“Yep. As of four o’clock this afternoon, I am officially divorced.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. And I’m sorry I’m not better company,” he said. “I guess I’m just feeling a bit bleurgh.”
“Completely understandable. Do you want to go out this evening and we’ll see if we can’t cheer you up?”
“I’d rather stay in, if you don’t mind.”
“Would you also rather I made myself scarce so you can brood by yourself?”
“No.” Jessica was pleased to see that she’d managed to raise a very small smile from him. “I’d like to hang out with you, if that’s all right, and if you’re not sick of the sight of my miserable face.”
“That is absolutely all right. Why don’t I make us a curry and we could watch a film or something?”
“You’d give up a night of Fable II for me?”
“I would,” Jessica stated solemnly. “But if you did want to play for a bit...”
* * *
Once Nathan had left to go back to work, Jessica put plan ‘Cheer Nathan Up’ into action. She found a rucksack in the cupboard under the stairs which she shrugged on.
“I’ll be back soon, guys,” she told Monty and Dennis. “Look after the place while I’m gone.”
She’d walk to the supermarket and pick up the ingredients to make Nathan his special dinner. If her foot was aching a lot, she’d take a taxi back.
Jessica was walking along the main road through Bowerbridge, marvelling at how many of the shops she remembered from her childhood were still in business when she spotted a familiar tiny, straight-backed figure with a neat chestnut bob walking towards her.
“Madame Penny!” Jessica called out.
The figure looked up. “Jessica Stone! Well, I never. How lovely to see you. And please call me Diana,” said her old ballet teacher, her face lighting up at the sight of her former pupil. “But what have you done to your foot?”
“I broke it soon after I arrived here to visit Mum and Dad.”
“How long until it’s fully healed?” asked Diana kindly, immediately understanding what the injury meant for Jessica.
Out of nowhere, tears sprang into Jessica’s eyes and she found she was crying. She wiped them away, frustratedly. She’d been doing such a good job of holding her emotions in check and focusing on her recovery.
“Oh, you poor darling,” said Diana, immediately putting her arms around her. “I was on my way to the dance studio, but I don’t have a class for nearly an hour. Why don’t you come with me and we can have a chat and a cup of tea?”
Jessica nodded her head, looking around to check there was no one watching her. She had never been the sort of person to burst into tears in the middle of the street! But then she’d had a huge disappointment and a lot of worry about her foot. Being with Nathan had taken her mind off her predicament brilliantly, but it hadn’t changed the fact that her beloved career was very definitely in jeopardy.
She walked alongside Diana for the short distance to the dance studio — a building Jessica must have spent hundreds if not thousands of hours in when she was a child, but which she hadn’t stepped foot in for about fifteen years.
Tears still stained her cheeks, but she smiled as she passed through the familiar double doors and into the large hall. The same piano stood in the corner, with probably the same CD player on top.
“Do you mind if I use the loo?” she asked, wanting to have a chance to wipe her eyes.
“Of course not. I’ll pop the kettle on. Come and find me in the kitchen when you’re done.”
When Jessica emerged, tear stains removed, she realised she’d never been in the studio’s kitchens before; it made her feel strangely grown up to be invited in there now. As it happened, it wasn’t a very exciting room — just a galley kitchen, really, with a couple of stools next to one of the countertops.
“Here you go,” said Diana, bringing two steaming mugs over to the stools. “I wasn’t sure how you took your tea so I left it black, but there’s milk and sugar if you like.”
“Thank you. Black is fine.” Jessica hid a grimace that she was once again drinking tea.
“Are you OK sitting on a stool with your foot?” Diana asked.
“Yes, thanks,” said Jessica, resting her crutches against the counter and getting up onto the stool as gracefully as possible. She wished Nathan were there to give her a helping hand.
“So,” Diana said, cutting straight to the point, “do you know how long this break is going to put you out of action for?”
“Three to six months,” said Jessica. “I’m hoping to be able to start gentle training after three, depending on what more X-rays show.”
“But the doctors think it will heal cleanly?”
“Hopefully. The X-rays weren’t as clear as they’d like, though, and they said there looked like there was some previous damage.”
“That’s hardly unusual given your line of work, is it?”
“Exactly.”
“I’m not surprised you’re upset,” said Diana, honestly.
“I’d just landed my first principal role,” said Jessica. “It couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
“That really is terrible timing. What have your company said?”
“Not a lot, really. I called them when it first happened and they sorted out an insurance payment for me straight away, which was great. And I also spoke to my friend, who took over my role. But since then, I haven’t heard from anyone.”
“I would definitely make sure you keep them in the loop,” Diana said. “Ballet can be a fickle business.”
“I know,” said Jessica. “Especially when you’re not sure exactly when you’re going to be able to perform again. Or if.” She started crying again. Diana handed her a piece of kitchen roll.
“Have you been exercising?” she asked.
“Yes, I’ve still got to be really careful with my foot, but I’ve been exercising for at least a couple of hours every day.”
“And have you got a good physiotherapist? A dancer-trained one?”
“Not at the moment,” Jessica admitted. “Hopefully I will once I’m back in New York, but the insurance won’t cover physio over here.”
“It’s still early days for that,” said Diana. “Look, you are the most talented dancer I have ever been lucky enough to teach. And as well as that you’re the most determined. If anyone can work hard enough to get her foot back to full strength, it’s you.”
“Thank you.”
“Why don’t you come along to my ballet class on Saturday morning?” Diana suggested. “You can help me with it. I’m a bit over-run at the moment. And I think it will do you good to be surrounded by other people who love ballet as you do.”
“Thank you, I think that would be really helpful. I do feel a bit like a duck out of water here. No one understands how much ballet means to me. My family have always seen it as just a job.”
“It’s impossible to understand unless you have what I call the ballet gene,” said Diana. “They don’t mean to be unkind, it’s simply not in them to feel so deeply about it.”
“That’s exactly it,” said Jessica.
“And I remember your parents being hugely supportive of you.”
“They were. They never complained about driving me to random places and hanging around for hours waiting for me.”
“Your mother was so upset when you wanted to apply to ballet school. She came to talk to me about it,” said Diana.
“I never knew that.”
“She asked me not to say anything at the time. She was worried you were too young to be going away and that you’d regret focusing so much on one thing.”
“And what did you tell her?” asked Jessica.
“I told her that you were hugely talented and that it would be an enormous waste not to nurture that talent. I also told her that if it all went pear-shaped, you’d still be so young that you could easily turn to something else, but that I thought she ought to let you give it your all.”
“That’s good advice.”
“It’s advice that still stands now,” said Diana gently.
“You mean if my foot doesn’t heal properly?” Jessica asked.
“Yes,” Diana replied honestly.
“Thank you, Diana,” said Jessica. “It’s been really good to talk to you.”
“It’s been my pleasure. I’ll see you on Saturday at ten.”
“I’ll be there.”
* * *
Jessica left the dance studio feeling lighter than she had since before she’d had her accident. She wasn’t sure she’d even been fully aware of the weight she’d been carrying around with her, but it had felt so good to be able to talk to someone who properly understood how she felt.
She walked to the supermarket more determined than ever to do something nice for Nathan. He’d been so kind to her, and he’d been hiding his own hurt which he hadn’t felt able to talk about, even though he was always willing to listen to her going on about her problems. She wanted to try to help him like he’d tried to help her.
With her cooking really not being up to much, she picked up a jar of curry sauce and some chicken breasts. She grabbed a pot of microwavable basmati rice; she had a long history of burning rice and that gave her the best chance of not doing so tonight. She also got a bag of watercress and a tub of plain yoghurt and cucumber to make some raita. He’d want some poppadoms, she figured, so she got some of those and a jar of mango chutney. On the way to the till, she picked up a six-pack of Stella Artois on impulse.
She regretted her purchase of the beers within about a minute of leaving the supermarket. They were stupidly heavy in her rucksack. Still, it wasn’t far to get home and she’d probably have to wait for ages for a taxi to arrive. Plus, it was a nice day and it felt good to be out, even if she was stuck on crutches.
When she got back to Nathan’s house she still had almost two hours before he’d be home so she set to work making the place look nice. Despite her best efforts to be tidy, her stuff was still dotted around everywhere making the house look a mess. She picked it all up and put it in her room. She should really give that a good tidy-up as well, but that would have to wait for another day.
The sitting room was easy to dust because there was so little stuff in it, Nathan didn’t really have knick-knacks. Hoovering with a foot in plaster wasn’t at all easy, but the place definitely looked better once she’d finished. The back door had been open to air the downstairs, but Jessica took the dog beds outside and gave them a bash to remove the worst of the hair. Monty and Dennis eyed her very suspiciously while she did this.
Next, she prepared the kitchen, emptying the dishwasher and wiping down all the countertops and the table. She laid the table ready for their dinner. She hesitated when she went to add candles — would they come across as too romantic? But she wanted to make the table special for him.
She stepped back and surveyed her work: it looked good. It was as neat and tidy as when she’d first arrived. She really must do better about keeping her stuff in her room.
All the moving around had made her foot ache more, so she grabbed a book and went to sit out in the garden in the sun with the dogs until Nathan got back from work.
* * *
“What’s happened here? Have we been robbed?” said Nathan with mock horror as he came in the front door.
“I tidied up!” declared Jessica, proudly. “Doesn’t it look great? Your space is once again free from all my stuff!”
“That was really nice of you,” Nathan gave Jessica a hug. “But I like your stuff around.”
“Really? But you’re so tidy. I thought it must be driving you crazy.”
“It makes the house feel more like a home,” said Nathan with a shrug.
“Well, I shall endeavour to mess it all up again very soon.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“How are you feeling?” Jessica asked.
“OK, I guess. I had a message from my solicitor to say that everything went through fine. I am officially divorced, which is a good thing, I suppose.”
“Let’s take your mind off things,” suggested Jessica. “Do you want to take the dogs out? If we drove to the playing fields, I should be able to hobble around them on my crutches.”
“Sure, some sun and fresh air will do me good.”
* * *
When they returned to the house an hour later, Nathan did seem to be in a happier mood.
“I’m taking over this evening now,” said Jessica, bossily. “I’d like you to go upstairs and change out of those sensible work clothes and into something comfortable and ideally with an elasticated waist.”
“Right-o,” said Nathan.
Jessica began cutting up the chicken breast, wishing she’d brought the strips so she didn’t have to handle the poultry as much.
“Well, I never,” said Nathan, coming up behind her. “I never thought I would see you chopping up raw meat.”
“Don’t get used to it,” grumbled Jessica. “This is a special occasion.”
“You mean you’ll only cook for me when I get divorced?”
“Yes. There are cold beers in the fridge, so grab yourself one and stick some music on, then you can chat and entertain me while I slave away at the cooker top.”
“I’m not going to argue with that,” he said. “A beer for you too?”
“I think I’m going to need one.”
Jessica began frying the chicken and diced up some onion and some peppers which she added to the pan once the chicken was cooked through.
“If you give me food poisoning, I may never forgive you,” said Nathan, placing her drink beside her.
“If you keep on complaining, you won’t get any supper,” Jessica retorted.
“That might be safer, to be honest. You did use a different knife and board for the chicken and the vegetables, didn’t you?”
“I used a different knife and turned the board over. Stop fussing.”
“I didn’t realise being concerned about salmonella was fussing.”
“It is. Drink your beer.”
She looked over her shoulder at Nathan and threw him a smile.
“You are incorrigible,” he said, but he smiled back. “Are you sure you’re OK standing there to cook?”
“If I say I’m not, will you come and take over?”
“Probably. It seems I’m a soft touch when it comes to you.”
“I’ve noticed that too, but I’m fine, honestly, and I can leave it and sit down in a minute anyway.” She turned back to the food but could feel Nathan’s eyes on her, checking she really was fine standing.
“Thank you for doing this for me,” he said.
“Don’t be daft.” Jessica added the sauce to the pan. “You’ve cooked for me loads, it’s nothing.”
She turned the curry down to simmer and joined Nathan at the table.
“It’s nice to be able to do something for you for a change,” she said.
“I have to say, the food does smell really yummy.”
“Of course it does. Not even I could mess this up.”
* * *
Even so, Jessica was surprised to discover their supper was edible. After the meal, she offered to clean up by herself, but Nathan insisted on helping. “I’ve eaten so much, I need to move about to help me digest.”
“That’s your medical opinion, is it?”
“Yes, and I’m standing by it.”
It took longer than usual for the kitchen to be cleared; Jessica was a far messier cook than Nathan, it seemed. “I’m not going to ask how you managed to get bits of chopped onion as far as the hallway,” Nathan commented, before suggesting, “Another beer?”
“Why not?”
“Let’s take them outside. Come on, boys.” Nathan whistled and the dogs followed him into the garden.
“How are you doing?” asked Jessica, accepting a drink from him.
“OK.” He sat down heavily in a plastic chair. “It’s definitely for the best, but it’s strange that my marriage is now officially over, even though we’ve been apart for over a year.”
“What made you choose Bowerbridge to move to?” asked Jessica, carefully.
“To begin with, I tried to stay in Manchester. I liked my job and I had friends there, but most of my friends were Claire’s friends as well, and it got kind of awkward. I think I needed to make a proper break. I started to look around for another job and it seemed a little bit like fate that one showed up in Bowerbridge. I have such happy memories here, and it’s close to my mum and my sister now. My sister’s a nurse in Tonbridge and my mum moved to be close to her when my eldest niece was born.”
“And did having a proper break work?”
“It’s helped, especially getting Dennis.”
“He’s very good company.”
“He certainly is. And I like that it’s quiet here and that I’ve been largely left alone to brood, but having you to stay has made me see that I need to have other people around me again, outside of work.”
“It can’t be easy having your marriage end,” Jessica said, putting her hand on his.
“And this was technically my second marriage,” Nathan said.
“You’ve been married before?” said Jessica, struggling to keep the shock from her voice. How had two women been stupid enough to let Nathan go?
“You of all people should know that,” Nathan said, a grin forming on his lips.
Seeing her perplexed look, he continued, “We were married one playtime when we were in Year1. Ryan Thomas was my best man, and you had about ten bridesmaids. I can’t believe you don’t remember.”
Jessica laughed. “You really had me going there! I think I do remember actually — you said we had to do it quickly because you needed to get back to your football match.”
“Ever the gentleman.” Nathan gave a little bow. “If I recall, the game had carried on from the day before, so was of vast importance.”
“More important than your bride?”
“What can I say? I was young and an idiot. Any man would have to be to let you slip through his fingers.”
Nathan’s gaze met Jessica’s and drifted down to rest on her mouth. Jessica swallowed hard as neither of them broke the silence.
“It’s a good thing we’ve both decided not to do any more kissing,” she said, managing to find her voice. “Otherwise I think we could be in trouble here.”
“Yeah,” said Nathan, throatily. “Definitely a good thing.”
It took all of Jessica’s self-control to stand up. “Come on, let’s go and play Fable II . There’s some weird quest where you have to throw a chicken at a magic door that I want to complete.”
“Only if I get ice cream,” said Nathan. “I think I’ve got a tub of Ben and Jerry’s in the freezer.”
“I’ll get the Xbox fired up,” Jessica said.
That was a close one, she thought to herself as she headed back inside. It was taking a lot of willpower not to give in and kiss Nathan again, but it was for the best, especially with him only just divorced and her going back to New York soon. She’d never want to hurt him, and if he liked her half as much as she liked him, that’s exactly what would happen if she gave in to her feelings for him.