‘I don’t think so.’
‘We took a bike ride there one afternoon.’
Ava grimaced. ‘Still can’t remember, sorry!’
‘Well, I can.’
She turned to him, but his eyes were on the path ahead. What did he mean by that? ‘Did I do something?’
Jack side-eyed her. ‘No, it was something I wished I’d done.’
‘Do tell.’
‘It’s nothing.’
An image of teenage Jack bending down to kiss her flashed through her mind, and she squeezed her eyes tight momentarily. Less of that, thank you very much, she scolded herself inwardly.
They walked together, chatting about the photographs she’d taken. She stopped to take more on the way, the broodiness of the woods to their left creating a perfect backdrop.
‘Let me take a couple of you,’ she said, camera poised.
‘If you must.’
‘It’s more natural when they’re not posed.’ She paused. ‘I wonder if we could get Graham to bowl you over on your arse and then I could snap you. That would be a good one.’
‘You’re never going to forgive him for that, are you?’
‘No. I blame the owner, though.’
Finally, they came out into an open area with a single-storey build ahead. Jamie’s Tea Shop was a welcome sign, and they dived inside to find a table. Once Graham was settled, Jack went to order drinks, and Ava sat down, gazing onto the lake. It was all so beautiful – how could it be so cold outside?
‘I thought perhaps we could have lunch here today,’ Jack said, when he came back. ‘The soup is good, and I need something to warm me up.’
His pointed stare had Ava blushing again, and she glanced away, unsure if he was teasing or joking in general. He sat across from her and followed her eyes.
‘I never get tired of looking at the lake.’
‘Didn’t you ever think of leaving when you were younger?’
Jack shrugged. ‘I could definitely see the benefits then, but I could never pluck up the courage. Besides, who would swap this for a city view of streets and houses, noise and traffic?’
‘It’s not so bad in London,’ she said, but he saw through her eagerness.
‘It’s one loud bowl,’ he cried. ‘Every time I visit, I want to come home as soon as I can.’
‘Do you travel to the capital often?’
‘Two or three times a year. As little as I can get away with. Luckily, my publishers haven’t pressed me to do more until now. I suppose it’s time, especially if I want to finalise the TV deal.’
Ava’s eyes widened. ‘Your books are going to be televised?’
‘Not quite, but it’s in the making. The contract, I mean, not the series itself. I’ve been offered different options by three companies and I’m trying to choose the best one.’
‘I bet that will be exciting, seeing your characters on-screen, with a plot that you imagined.’
‘It will, but I’m more concerned about how it will affect everyone. It’s a small community as you know, and I want to make sure they get the privacy, plus the credit, they deserve. That’s if they decide to film it here. Besides, if they do, it will probably be years before they get around to it.’
Ava sat back, impressed again. There was a deeper level to Jack Broadhurst. Not only was he an author, with a good business head on his shoulders, but he was a philanthropist. He cared about his community, which was refreshing after being with Giles, as he only thought of himself.
