‘Seriously, Mum, I’m glad you’re okay, and I think it’s such a good opportunity for you.’
‘I really hope so. You know how bored I am at the moment.’
‘Your talent is certainly wasted at Bateman PR.’
They spoke for a couple more minutes and then said their goodbyes.
Downstairs, Sara showed Ava through the lounge. The decor in there gave it an airy feel, fitted out similar to reception, she assumed, as there was little light coming in from the front windows due to large oak trees on the perimeter. The flooring was carpeted swirls of chocolate and caramel on a cream background. Curtains and furnishing were a close match. Just those things alone gave it a warm feel.
There weren’t many tables empty. To Ava, it seemed like friends meeting after work, families and couples out for bar meals.
At the back of the room was an archway; two steps down and around a corner, there was a separate dining area. Jack and his parents were already seated at a table for four. Jack waved when he saw her, standing up to pull out a chair for her.
‘Thanks.’ Ava sat down next to him, a waft of his aftershave coming up to tantalise her.
‘You look lovely,’ he whispered as he popped his napkin over his lap.
Ava held his gaze, his eyes twinkling before he turned to his parents. ‘Let’s order. I am starving.’
‘Good! I try to get him to eat better, Ava.’ Stella sighed. ‘He’s wasting away, and I keep?—’
‘I’m barely wasting away,’ Jack protested. ‘I’d be a good two stone heavier if I ate everything you offered.’
‘I seem to remember you had a huge appetite when you were younger,’ Ava chipped in. ‘You were forever eating something. An apple, a chocolate bar, a sandwich.’
‘I wasn’t that bad,’ Jack cried.
‘And then he’d come in for his meals.’ Stella chuckled. ‘Dan and Noah were the same. They all took after their father.’
‘We Broadhursts are definitely a strong breed,’ Max replied.
The evening was a great success. Ava caught up with the antics of some of the villagers. Stella loved a good gossip, and Ava was in her element listening. The men cracked jokes about each other in between. And there was plenty of talk about Dan, which Ava thought was extremely respectful.
The wine flowed, and even though the day had been long, and she had to keep stifling yawns, Ava was sad when it ended. Jack collected Graham from behind the reception desk and, while the dog cocked his leg outside, they said goodbye.
‘Well, thanks for a lovely day and evening.’ Jack reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her gently.
‘Why, thank you, kind sir.’ Ava giggled. ‘This maiden had a wonderful time, too.’
‘I shall bid you farewell until the morn,’ he teased.
‘What time would you like me to start tomorrow?’
‘Ten? Or is that too early?’
‘No, that’s fine.’
‘Great. I’ll meet you in the conference room.’ He paused. ‘I might go out on the boat first thing, if it isn’t too cold. Perhaps you’d like to join me?’
‘No, not for me,’ she replied quickly, hoping to close down the conversation. The truth was, she couldn’t imagine a life where it involved being around water for the best part of it.
‘You’re not afraid of the lake?’
‘It’s not my thing, I guess. Besides, it makes my hair a mess,’ she joked.
Finally, he released her hand.
‘Goodnight,’ Jack said, eventually.
