Chapter 55
Jenni carefully rolled up the small rectangle of paper and, while Oscar was eating yet another treat – she was unable to deny him anything right now – she carefully attached the note to his collar.
Tying it on securely with silver thread left over from Christmas – and all she could find – she checked that it was safely in place and stood back.
She’d spent the day pandering to Oscar’s every need, relieved and emotional to see him back in his favourite spot, draped along the back of the sofa, with his legs in the air, seemingly unaware of the drama his trip to Kent had caused.
She’d sent text messages to Amy, her mum and Tim to let them know Oscar was safely back home, but something was holding her back from contacting Ben.
She knew she should have replied to him as soon as Dave had dropped Oscar off, but Ben’s tone was so ‘off’ that she didn’t know what to say, or how to say it.
She worried that she’d imagined the connection she thought they’d shared.
But no. She remembered the look on his face as she’d leaned against him; remembered how safe she felt in his arms and how close they’d become in the last week.
The thought of not seeing him again made her feel… bereft.
Spending time with Ben had brought her a happiness that she’d never expected to find so close to home.
So, before she could talk herself out of it, she knew exactly what she had to do. She’d follow Ben’s advice, be brave, and send one last message, via Oscar.