Chapter 42
The four of us sat in the bar of the hotel, a pet-friendly establishment, so Roma slept on Jackson’s knee.
It was a lovely space with leather sofas and contemporary curved banquette seating in blush pink, both adorned with embroidered scatter cushions that gave them an almost homely feel.
There were low round black tables to put drinks on, and the wall shelves behind us displayed small sculptures, framed artwork and lines of old books.
What Mum called minimalist, I called cosy.
‘You know what I’ve enjoyed the most about this trip?
’ Maeve said. ‘Apart from having the pleasure of this young man’s company.
’ She reached over and squeezed Jackson’s hand.
‘The driving. Why I didn’t listen to Derek, I don’t know.
He was always on at me to get behind the wheel, but would I do it? ’
‘Maeve said Violet’s mine when I’ve passed my test,’ Jackson said. He suddenly flashed me a look as if he’d said something he shouldn’t.
I couldn’t blame him for being nervous about my response. The Erin he was used to hadn’t exactly been kind. She’d been judgemental and assumed he was up to no good and knowing what Jackson had been through, just the thought of that behaviour riddled me with guilt.
‘I don’t know about that,’ Theo said. ‘A car’s one hell of a gift.’
‘It’s not like I’ll be using it,’ Maeve said.
I cocked my head, confused. ‘Why not? You just said you like driving.’
‘I want something new. Like a Honda Jazz. It’s a hatchback, with high seating and wider doors so I can get in and out a bit easier. That’s much more me than a ruddy great Volvo.’
I let out a laugh. ‘You’ve certainly done your research.
’ I pictured Mum whizzing around Settledown, but after the roundabout and ramp issues, I couldn’t help but think it was sheer luck rather than skill that had kept her and Jackson safe.
The thought of Mum on the road still worried me and I wondered if it might be an idea for her to sign up for a few lessons.
A kind of reintroduction to driving course. ‘Maybe you could…’
‘Already booked,’ Maeve replied, quick as a flash. She leaned into Jackson. ‘Didn’t I tell you she’d say that?’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Excuse me for looking out for you, Mum.’
‘So that’s settled,’ Maeve said. ‘Violet goes to Jackson.’
Jackson looked to his dad, hopeful. But despite Maeve’s assertion, Theo still didn’t appear convinced.
I thought about what Jackson had been through.
The loss of his Mum must have been devastating and while moving to Settledown might have been in his best interest, starting a new life couldn’t have been easy.
Lord knows, it hadn’t been for Mum. Her response had been to lock herself away and retreat from the world and I was grateful to Jackson for helping Mum move forward.
Having bonded through their grief it was obvious Mum and Jackson were good for each other. ‘I think it’s a great idea,’ I said.
Jackson’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘She’ll only seize up otherwise.’
‘Well there’s a turn-up for the books,’ Maeve said. ‘I expected to have a battle on our hands.’
I thought back to when I’d seen Jackson tinkering under Violet’s bonnet. ‘I think Dad would approve too.’
A huge grin spread across Jackson’s face and for the first time since he became Mum’s neighbour, he looked at me direct. ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘That means a lot.’
‘Now we’ve got that sorted I think it’s bedtime, don’t you, Jackson?’ Mum said. She sighed. ‘I’m guessing these two will be wanting us all to head home tomorrow. It’s a long drive and we need our beauty sleep.’ She looked to Theo and me. ‘Check out’s at 11.’
Jackson rose from his seat and tucking Roma under one arm, he let Maeve use the other to help haul herself up and after a round of goodnight hugs, they headed upstairs.
‘Fancy another drink?’ Theo asked.
‘Why not?’ I replied. ‘I think we’ve earned it.’
As I watched him head to the bar, I thought about everything we’d been through those last few days.
From being stuck in one of the world’s tiniest cars for hours on end to sharing bunk beds; from running out of petrol to me being stuck up a tree; and from landing in one Arles to then frantically driving to get to another one.
Unlike me, Theo had taken it all in his stride, even when I hadn’t made it easy.
I’d told the man to suck a biscuit, for goodness’ sake.
One thing I refused to accept, however, was Theo’s claim that I snored.
I recalled walking home from the Royal Oak the night of Mum’s disappearance and how I’d mooted the idea of having a man in my life.
A Henry Cavill lookalike who was intelligent, funny and self-aware.
Someone who put into a relationship as much as he took out and who’d drop everything for those he loved regardless of any consequence.
Maybe your fairy godmother waved her wand after all? my inner voice said.
Maybe she did, I replied. Or maybe Theo just wanted a road trip romance?
Theo smiled as he returned with two glasses of wine. ‘Do we have to go home?’ He placed our drinks down and settled back into his seat. ‘Can’t we just stay here?’
Rory’s blasted presentation popped into my head. ‘As lovely as that would be, one of us has a job to get back to.’
‘Ouch! Say it like it is, why don’t you?’
I laughed. ‘That’s not a dig, it’s a fact.’
Theo raised an eyebrow. ‘And then what happens?’
I picked up my glass, not sure how to respond.
‘I don’t know about you,’ Theo said. ‘But I wasn’t looking for a holiday fling.’
Drinking a mouthful of wine, I almost choked. What was he? Telepathic?
‘What I’m trying to say is, I know we’ve only known each other a few days, but I think what we already have is special. I think you’re special.’
As I looked into Theo’s clear blue eyes, I wanted to believe him.
But shooting stars and fairy godmothers were one thing, reality was another.
I hadn’t just been hurt in the past; finding out Andy was married with children broke me.
And while Theo had knocked down some of the wall I’d built around myself, I wasn’t sure I was ready to let go of all the bricks.
Theo took my hand. ‘What do you say, Erin? Shall we give what we’ve started a proper go?’
My heart and body screamed yes, but my head said no.