‘Are you hiding?’ She grinned delightedly at him.
‘Sort of. Waiting for you, actually, without anyone deciding they need to involve me in something. Please, please tell me you’ve finished work for this morning.’
‘OK. I’ve-finished-work-for-this-morning. Just got some paperwork to file and –’
‘Leave it.’ Jay reached out and pulled her against him, running his fingers up her bare arms. ‘I’m so sorry about yesterday. Did you have a nice day?’
Brilliant, she thought. Finding out all about you and Nalisha through the ages. Finding out that Nalisha loves you. Finding out that she would marry you.
Best day ever.
‘It was OK.’
‘Good. Look we haven’t had any time alone together … well, it seems for ever.’
‘Don’t I know it.’ Erin shivered with delight as Jay’s fingers gently stroked her neck.
He moved away slightly. ‘Sorry if I stink. I’ve just chucked off my scrubs and I’m still a bit scruffy and possibly still slightly smelly.’
Erin looked at him and thought he’d possibly never looked sexier, with his black hair awry and
falling into his eyes, and in his jeans and T-shirt.
She pulled him back against her and held his face between her hands. ‘You look fabulous and you smell of warm lemons.’
‘The delightful aroma of post-op antibacterial hand-wash.’ He laughed, then kissed her thoroughly. ‘And I really should go away more often if I’m going to get this sort of reception. I know I haven’t seen you for twenty-four hours – imagine what it would be like after
months.
’
‘Don’t even think about it. Sorry if the text sounded desperate yesterday – I was just a bit peed off. Did it go OK?’ Erin murmured into his shoulder. ‘The operation? Really?’
‘Perfect. Gerry was delighted. We made a good team. He’s a great surgeon.’
‘So are you.’ Erin kissed him again.
He laughed. ‘You might be a bit biased.’
‘Only slightly. Oh, I’ve got something to tell you.’
Jay frowned. ‘That sounds bad.’
‘It’s not
that
bad … well, it’s good really, I think.’
‘Intriguing.’ Jay laughed and held her at arm’s length. ‘Have you been practising a burlesque routine for our wedding night and you want to run it past me?’
‘No.’
‘You’ve bought several new bikinis for the honeymoon and want to give me a fashion show?’
‘Nope.’
He sighed. ‘Bugger. OK – so go on, tell me.’
‘I’ve spoken to your mum and we’re keeping the
mandap
.’
Jay grinned. ‘Your decision or hers?’
‘Well, it sort of sounded like mine, but I don’t think it was really.’
‘That sounds
about right. I’m just glad it’s sorted out. We’ll worry about what to do with it later.’
‘I thought you’d be pleased. It was stupid to fall out over it.’
‘It was and you’re fabulous,’ he whispered. ‘And I love you. Shall we just make a break for it now?’
‘Sorry?’
‘That’s why I’m here. I’ve got no more patients until two-thirty. Bella’s gone to the post office in Newbury. Kam is somewhere on a farm call and Sophie and Renata have gone home for lunch.’
‘And Nalisha?’
‘Has driven off in her BMW, roof down, on a sight-seeing tour of quaint Berkshire villages.’
‘She didn’t want you to go with her as tour guide?’
‘She did. I said I was far too busy, and that I had other plans.’
Erin smiled up at him, insecurities and jealousies momentarily forgotten, and suddenly dizzy with delicious wantonness. ‘Ah, right. Which means?’
‘We have at least an hour, and my cottage is empty …’
‘So, how are things going
with the Jay and Nalisha reunion?’ Gina asked Erin on Monday evening in the Merry Cobbler. She was working at one end of the busy bar while Sam and Part-time Pearl dealt with the other. ‘Are you really OK with it?’
‘What else can I be?’ Erin swirled her cider. ‘She’s here for the duration. Jay’s happy to have her here.’
‘And you’re not?’
‘Truthfully?’ Erin sighed. ‘No. I wish she’d never set foot in Nook Green. Come on, Gina. How would you feel? She’s beautiful and she’s part of his past, and she’s far better suited to him than I’ll ever be.’
‘Don’t be so daft.’ Gina slammed a glass down on the bar counter. ‘You and Jay were made for each other. And I know you have your doubts about Nalisha, but I’ve always found her to be friendly and …’
‘That’s the trouble.’ Erin drained her glass. ‘She fools everyone. Oh, I’m not going to go over all this again. You like her, I don’t.’
‘Well, oh hang on.’ Gina served two men
in khaki shorts and vests with pints of IPA at the speed of light. ‘OK – where were we? Oh, yes – yes, I do like her. She’s always been very pleasant to me. Are you sure you’re not just imagining things?’
‘Because I’m jealous?’ Erin shook her head. ‘No, believe me, I have every reason to loathe the sight of the woman. Now, can we talk about something else? I just wanted to check with you that you’re OK for my hen night? You will be able to get away, won’t you?’
‘Definitely.’ Gina rapidly polished glasses and bent down to stack them beneath the bar. ‘I have absolutely no intention of missing it.’
‘Good.’ Erin grinned. ‘Because it’s only thinking about the positives that’s keeping me going.’
Gina smiled. ‘Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but it’s a bit old-fashioned having the hen night only a week before the wedding, isn’t it? Most girls seem to arrange it at least a month before to get over the hangovers.’
‘I know. But I wanted to include my mum, and she won’t be here until ten days before the wedding.’
‘Ah, of course.’
Erin sighed happily. ‘Oh, I can’t wait to see her. And I’m so looking forward to my hen night – all elegant, nothing drunken or rowdy. A fabulous meal out in Newbury, insane cocktails, everyone in their best dresses.’
‘Sounds perfect.’ Gina mixed three vodka tonics. ‘And what about Jay?’
‘Jay and his stags are going to the casino in Reading. I have a feeling Nalisha would prefer to be with them.’
‘Is she coming to yours?’
‘God, I suppose she’ll have to.’
‘Look, Erin, can I just say
something to you? About Nalisha – oh, I know you don’t want to talk about her, but honestly, I think men and women
can
be just good friends. My best friend when I was growing up was the boy next door. We never thought of one another as anything but friends, and no, he wasn’t the stereotypical gay either. He had girlfriends and I had boyfriends, but when we didn’t we went out together – for meals, to the cinema … That’s why I know that Jay and Nalisha’s relationship is purely platonic. I’ve been there.’
‘You’re lovely, and I hope you’re right.’ Erin glanced at her watch. ‘Oh God, I’d better fly. We’re having supper at Jay’s cottage tonight – Nalisha’s cooking an Indian banquet.’
‘Sounds lovely.’ Gina poured Guinness. ‘If a little ménage à trois.’
‘She’s invited Doug to even things up. And no, she’s not even slightly interested in him before you ask. He’s besotted of course, but I can tell she’s just playing. Oh, sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.’
Gina took the money for the Guinness and laughed. ‘No, it doesn’t matter to me at all, love. Not any more. I’m completely over it.’
‘Good – and I hope he makes a total prat of himself over Nalisha and finds out what it feels like.’ Erin grinned. ‘Now I really must fly. See you!’
‘See you, love. Have a great evening.’
Gina watched as Erin hurried out of the door and laughed to herself. There was no pain whatsoever when she talked about Doug. Result!
Gina was still smiling as Kam walked through the door.
‘That’s a great smile.’ Kam, still managing to look devastating in his crumpled scrubs, pushed his way through the crowded bar. ‘And just what I
need tonight. I’m a man in need of cheering up.’
‘You look like a man in need of a drink,’ Gina said, her heart thumpety-thumping as she reached for a glass. ‘Bad day?’
‘Long, hot, messy, complicated.’
Gina slid the pint across the counter. ‘No, put your money away. It’s on the house. Staff perks.’
‘Are you sure? Thank you.’ Kam drank half his beer in one go. ‘Oh, wow, that’s better. You’re a star. It’s been like working in a sauna all day. I do wish this heatwave would break.’
‘So do I. But not yet. Not until after the wedding.’
Kam grinned. ‘Everything revolves around this wedding, doesn’t it? Every conversation has something to do with the wedding. I’ve no idea how Jay and Erin are staying sane.’
‘I’m not sure they are.’ Gina took an order for food from a family who looked like they were about to melt. ‘And Erin’s just been in here talking about the hen and stag nights. I’m hoping they’ll go without a hitch at least.’
Kam laughed. ‘So do I. I’m sure it will be great – once they get over the shock. You didn’t say anything? And your side of things is all organised?’
Gina raised her eyebrows. ‘No, I didn’t, and yes it is. Yours?’
‘All sorted. We make great co-conspirators.’
‘We do.’ Gina looked away quickly. ‘But I hope it doesn’t all go pear-shaped. Poor Erin is stressed enough as it is. I mean, all the wedding plans were going really smoothly until –’
‘Until our side of the family got involved?’ Kam asked. ‘Tell me about it. I’ve seen so many of my cousins practically on their knees by the time their wedding comes round because of all the family fall-outs and disagreements over the arrangements, and so many celebrations
to be organised, and all the resulting arguments and stress – that’s why I’m going to elope.’
Gina’s heart plummeted. She hoped that her expression remained interested and neutral. She hadn’t seen Kam with anyone, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t got a girlfriend. In fact, because he was so darn heartbreakingly beautiful, he surely
must
be seeing someone.
‘Are you? Any time soon? With anyone I know?’
‘God, no. I just mean, when – if – I find the right person and want to get married, I’d run a mile from all this exhausting, non-stop organised mayhem.’
Phew.
‘Mmm, you did mention something about it before.’ Gina hated herself for feeling so relieved. It was madness. Complete and utter madness. ‘Right, now before my customers starve to death, I’m just going to pop into the kitchen and nuke two veggie platters, a sausage and mash and a cottage pie. If you need a refill, just help yourself. Oh, and what about food? Shall I do you something? Or are you on call? Or going out?’
‘Jay’s on call tonight.’
‘Is he? Nalisha’s cooking him and Erin – oh, and Doug – an Indian banquet. I hope he gets time to eat it.’
‘So do I. Can’t believe I haven’t been invited.’
‘You could always invite yourself. You and Nalisha would make a lovely couple.’
Kam laughed. ‘Nalisha’s gorgeous, but she doesn’t do it for me. She’s far too high-maintenance. Can’t be doing with someone who’d spend longer in the bathroom than I do. And that’s a joke by the way.’
‘Is it? Really?’
‘Yeah, well, almost.’
Gina looked away. ‘So, shall I do you
some food? Or are you going out?’
‘I’m so knackered I’m just going to have a shower and collapse on the bed with the windows open and the fan going full blast and watch whatever rubbish is on telly.’ Kam grinned. ‘But please don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my playboy reputation. If anyone asks, I’m out clubbing with a horde of A-list super-models. So, yes, food would be great – but you don’t have to.’
‘I know I don’t. But as I’m going to be in the kitchen anyway, one more meal won’t make much difference. Tell you what, shall I concoct you a ploughman’s platter?’
‘Ploughman’s would be out of this world.’ Kam smiled. ‘You do the best ploughman’s I’ve ever tasted. Thanks, Gina. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’
Gina drifted into the kitchen and tried really hard not to smile. It didn’t work. Her mouth curved upwards at the corners and she danced towards the microwave.
Half an hour later, after swiftly redoing the worst ravages of her make-up, squirting on a quick spritz of Chanel No 19, removing her apron and making sure her shorts and top weren’t beer-stained, and running her fingers through her curls, Gina carried the tray upstairs.
The very quick makeover, she told herself, had everything to do with maintaining proper landlady standards and not appearing to look like a wreck in front of her late-night punters, and absolutely nothing to do with Kam.
Nothing at all.
Hah!
She’d added another couple of bottles of beer and a fresh glass to the vast ploughman’s platter. Kam would
be starving, she was sure. He’d had a very long day and probably not stopped to eat. Jay, she knew, always maintained that he only kept his lean taut shape because there was simply never enough time to have a meal during the day. It was bound to be the same for Kam.
And Gina had always liked feeding people. It was one of the pleasures in her life. Oh, not just zapping pub grub through the microwave, but devising and cooking spectacular meals – particularly for Doug. Doug always loved her cooking.
How very strange … Gina paused for a second on the twisting staircase. She honestly could think of Doug now without any twinge of regret at all. She exhaled. She only hoped the cure wouldn’t hurt more than the affliction.
Because, stupid as it was, Kam had been her cure.
But as long as he never, ever knew, then it would be OK, wouldn’t it?
God, it was still so hot. From the landing window, the village seemed to be simmering in the rapidly falling darkness. Nearly closing time, thank goodness. The weather was fantastic for trade, but lousy for her state of exhaustion.
Gina laughed to herself. Thinking mundane thoughts about the weather and the pub was her way of blocking out the one thing that kept trying to sneak in. And frequently succeeded.
She tapped lightly on Kam’s door. No reply. But she could hear the low murmur of the television. He was probably still in the shower.
Pushing away the very pleasant, and distinctly arousing, thought of Kam, soapy and naked beneath a torrent of water, Gina knocked again.
Still no answer.
OK, she thought, she’d just leave the tray. His double bedroom also had a tiny sitting
area with a table, two chairs and a small sofa. The best room the Merry Cobbler had to offer. Of course.