Heart (21 page)

That night, we went out for a drink with Cass and Flynn and I was amazed at how easy it was to rekindle much of the way we had been before. It was obvious that both of them believed Jake and I should be together and were happy that their respective help—some might say meddling—had brought about the desired result.

“So, things are going okay, then?” Cass asked when the lads were up at the bar. Her voice was tinged with the irony of someone who had seen we were struggling to keep our hands off each other, audience or no audience.

“Yeah, we’re good. I can’t believe it was all sorted so quickly.”

“Is it sorted, though? Or is any of it left unresolved? You’ve got to make sure he knows he can’t do that to you again.”

“I know that. And so does he. I think we’re going to need a serious conversation at some point about how we’re going to make this work in the longer term but, for now, it’s all okay. Honestly.” I smiled at the sight of Jake making his way back through the pub, a drink in each hand. He was beautiful. He was mine.

We laughed and touched our way through the next couple of hours, until it was time to go home. Flynn pulled up outside Jake’s house and I climbed out of the backseat to wish him a more private goodbye. Unfortunately, the lights on in pretty much every window signalled that privacy wasn’t an option, so I hugged him close and kissed his chest. Jake wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.

“You’ve given me more than I deserve today, Myrtle. I promise you I will spend every day of my life repaying your trust in me. You are my world. Don’t forget that.” Tipping my face up to his, he sealed his promise with a tender kiss before pulling back. “Can I see you tomorrow?”

“If you pop round in the morning. We’re setting out at lunchtime as Mum wants to get back before it’s too late.”

“Okay. I’ll be at yours by ten.” His closing kiss was a little less tender but a whole lot more satisfying. “’Night, Myrtle.”

“’Night, Jake.”

Josh is lying on his bed when I get to our room, eyes closed and headphones on in a vain attempt to block out the chaos from downstairs. Chaos that I had somehow managed to hide myself from as I stealthily made my way through the house. After ditching most of my clothes, I lean over and tap him on the chest. He still jumps. I guess that’s what living in this house does to you.

“You’re back early. I thought you’d be at Neve’s until the early hours, you know,
talking
and shit,” he adds with a grin.

“And what would you know about
talking and shit
with girls then, little brother? They’re not a real girlfriend if they’re only online, you know.” Josh blushes.

“
What?
Have you been going through my phone?” He immediately realises that I have him. “Shit. I fell right into that one, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, but that’s okay. You can’t help being beaten by your cleverer big brother!” I fake-punch his leg and sit on the edge of his bed. “How’s it been here?”

“The usual. Grace had a rehearsal then went babysitting for Noah again and hasn’t got back yet. I’ve stayed up here. It sounded like a couple of them were having a fight earlier but, after Mum screamed at them like they were kids, they shut up.” Josh isn’t old enough to appreciate the irony of his words.

“I thought you were going to Callum’s?”

“I was but they were having a big family meal and I felt a bit weird staying, you know? His mum said I could but it felt wrong.”

“I know what you’re saying but I think she meant it. Seriously, she treats you better than Callum!” I am grateful for how much Callum’s family do for Josh: take him on holidays, let him stay over, even asking teachers about him at school parents’ evenings and then filling me in afterwards. Like Flynn’s parents have done for me, they have given him a sense of what family means.

“Yeah, but that’s why I don’t want to take the piss. Anyway, how was your night? Back in the land of love, are we?” The smoochy, kissy face he pulls is enough justification for another punch on the leg. “Oww!”

“So, how much did Grace tell you then?”

“Just that you fucked up and Neve is giving you a second chance.”

“Well, that’s all you need to know, baby bro. But, yes, all is good again. Thanks for asking. Now, let’s get some sleep.” I chuck a pillow at his head and move over to my own bed.

I fall asleep quickly, my brain freed from the torment which has become part of my bedtime routine over the last few weeks.

I dream of Neve.

I dream of us.

I dream of the future.

Any worries I have that Neve’s parents will be annoyed with me are soon dismissed when I get to their house. Flynn lets me in and Neve and her parents are already sat in the kitchen, eating breakfast and reading the newspapers, like they’re an advert for the perfect family. I can’t stop myself thinking back to the carnage in my kitchen which had stopped me attempting anything more than a glass of water before coming out.

“Hi, Jake. Fancy a bacon sandwich? I’ve got more under the grill and I don’t think Flynn will manage it all by himself!” Siobhan’s smile seems genuine enough and I start to relax.

“That would be great. Thank you.” I look across at Neve, who stands and yawns, arms stretching above her head. I squirm and try my damnedest not to look at the way her strappy top clings and moves with her.

She walks up to me and plants a kiss on my mouth. The smell of her hair and the momentary feel of her pressed against me is enough to turn me on and I have no choice but to sit on a stool, trying desperately to hide the fact that I have a hard-on in the presence of her brother and parents. She winks, knowing full well the effect she has had on me.

“I’m just going to get changed. Back in a mo!” She blows me a kiss and leaves the room. God, I love her, even if she does drive me the right type of crazy.

By the time Siobhan has put a plate piled with thick bacon sandwiches and a mug of tea in front of me, Neve is back and pulls up a stool next to me.

“What time are we leaving, Dad?”

“About two. I want to be back by nine.”

“Okay. We’ll be here by one so I can pack. That will give us enough time.” I have no idea what her plan is, but she clearly has one and I’m happy to go along with it, as long as I’m with her.

Once my plate is cleared, she tugs at my hand and says goodbye to her family. I’m in the van and pulling away from her house before I realise what’s happening. Or where I’m supposed to be going.

“I know I’m a man of many talents but telepathy isn’t one of them. You’re going to have to tell me the plan, Myrtle,” I say, taking her hand in mine to move the gearstick.

“I want to go to the gardens you’ve been working on.” Her answer surprises me as I expected her to want to go somewhere private, especially after her impatience to get back in my pants yesterday.

“Really? That’s how you want to spend our morning?”

“Well, not the whole morning, obviously, but part of it, yes. I want to see what you’ve done while I’ve been…
away
.” Her voice shakes on the last word and I am reminded of how much we have to recover from. I can’t deny her anything at this moment. Whatever she wants, I will give her.

Knowing the perfect place to start, we pull up outside Mrs Jones’s house a few minutes later.

“Come on, I want to introduce you to someone.” I get out of the van and hold her door open.

“Who?”

“Just another woman in my life.” I add a wink before she can worry and lead her up the path. Within seconds of me ringing the bell, the door opens and Mrs Jones greets us with the widest smile.

“Oh, Jake. How lovely to see you.”

“Hello, Mrs Jones. I just thought I’d drop by and see how the garden is.”

“It’s just dandy. Do you want to take a look?” I’d hoped she would say this.

“Yes please. This is Neve, my girlfriend.” I savour being able to say it, biting my tongue to stop myself repeating it over and over.
My girlfriend
.

“So, you’re the lucky young lady then? You’ve got yourself a keeper here. Such a lovely young man.” I blush as we follow her through to the back door.

“I know. I don’t intend letting him go,” Neve replies, grinning at me behind the old lady’s back.

“Why don’t you show your young lady the garden and I’ll make us all a cup of tea.” She disappears back into the kitchen before we can refuse.

“I think she loves you.”

“Of course. Who wouldn’t?” I worry it’s too early to make such a joke. Taking her hand, I kiss our joined fingers. “I’ll get her to tell you about her husband. She’ll love the chance to tell someone else.”

“You’ve become quite the romantic, haven’t you?” She stands on her tiptoes and kisses me. “I’m not complaining. It’s sweet.”

“Oh, look at the two of you there. There’s nothing like young love.” Mrs Jones gazes into the distance. Into the past.

“It’s all doing well, isn’t it?” I ask, pulling her back to the here and now.

“Oh, yes. I’ve been watering the myrtle. Look how much it’s grown!” I look over and can see it has flourished since I was here last. “That was such a lovely gift, Jake.”

“It’s nothing.” It’s everything.

Mrs Jones sits down and, over tea and a slice of home-made cake, she tells Neve all about Jack. I sit back and watch the way Neve listens intently, asking thoughtful questions whenever the old lady drifts off into her memories.

When it’s time to go, we each hug Mrs Jones and I’m glad we’ve brought some happiness into her day. I promise to pop back soon and she waves us off as the van pulls away.

I drive to the house I worked on last week and show her the front garden from the van.

“What did you do there?”

“The usual tidying and planted a new hedge.” She knows.

“What’s the hedge made of?” She knows I know that she knows.

“Oh, you know, shrubs.” It’s a struggle to keep the grin in.

“And would those shrubs be myrtle?”

“Maybe,” is as much as I’m willing to say.

“You really are a romantic, aren’t you? How many gardens now have myrtle growing in them?”

“All of them.”

“All of them? Really?” Her voice is tinged with some emotion I can’t work out.

“All, except one.” I tell her the story of the lonely housewife who made a move on me. Well, most of the story.

“I think this is the sweetest, most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me, Jake. I don’t know how you’ll ever top it.”

“I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying,” I promise, leaning over and kissing her.

“Shall we go to the park?” The weather is too nice to mean we can have a repeat of yesterday, but that’s okay. I’m happy to just be near her.

We sit on a bench, close to the play area, and watch the families making the most of the chilly but bright morning. My mind wanders to images of us as a family doing the same. There’s a little girl, with the same long, blonde hair as Neve, who runs ahead of us. I’m teaching a fair-haired boy to ride his bike. Neve is recording it on her phone and laughing at his wibbly-wobbly success. We are the perfect, happy family.

“You okay? You look miles away.”

“Yeah, just thinking.” There’s no bloody way I can admit what I was thinking about. We’ve only been back together a day. And we still need to sort things out. Clear the air so we can move on.

But not now. Not today.

I turn to face her and rest my forehead on hers.

“I know we need to talk about what happened, but I want us to have enough time to work out what the future will look like. I’ll get things covered so that I can come to yours the weekend after next. Would that be okay?”

“Of course.” Her lips lightly touch mine. “And we’ll sort it.” Kiss. “I promise.” Kiss. “I’m not losing you again.”

I kiss her back, showing her I feel exactly the same.

God, I love this girl.