‘Hannah and Doug?’ Ava asked, once they were seated.
‘Hannah owns the bookshop, and Doug has a construction company. I’ve sent him some plans over for the hotel. Ah, here they are now.’
Ava watched as Jack got to his feet, shaking Doug’s hand heartily before proffering a kiss on Hannah’s cheek. To her mind, Doug was a few years older than both Hannah and Jack, distinguished with grey hair. Hannah was petite and blonde, her demeanour friendly.
‘This is Ava,’ Jack said. ‘She’s doing the PR and photography work for the hotel.’
‘Pleased to meet you.’ Doug shook her hand.
‘Likewise.’ Hannah smiled, waving a greeting. ‘Jack tells me you’re from London.’
‘Yes, I’m working at Sapphire Hotel for four weeks. This is my third.’
‘How do you find it?’
‘Quiet.’ She gave out a huge sigh. ‘Blissfully quiet.’
Over coffees and slices of cake, they discussed business. Hannah then gave Ava a tour of the bookshop, with a peek at the new room.
Ava’s heart melted at the sight of the children’s corner, with its tiny bookcase, and table and chairs in primary colours. ‘It’s amazing. You’ve put so much thought into it.’
‘Thanks. Kate and I – she’s the co-owner of the coffee shop with Chloe as well as co-owner of the bookshop with me – see the three businesses complementing each other once they’re all up and running. We want the stops, as we call them, to be the heart of the community. We’re opening a reception room upstairs, with a small bar. Will, that’s Kate’s husband, suggested calling it the pit stop. It was meant to be a joke, but I think it’s growing on us all.’
‘That’s great. I said to Jack that Sapphire Hotel is crying out to be much more, too.’
‘I’m so glad we’ll be involved with the project. It’s a pity you won’t be around.’ Hannah pouted. ‘Although I’m thinking from the smouldering glances shooting between the pair of you, that you’ll be keeping in touch regardless.’
Ava laughed. ‘I’m hoping so.’
On the way back, Jack was quiet. Ava wondered why, after having such a successful meeting.
‘Everything okay?’ she asked.
He turned to her and smiled. ‘Yes, I’m really pleased with how things are working out. It’s going to be a new start for our family. But it’s making me worry, too.’
‘You don’t think you’re taking on too much? Because from what I can see of Doug, he has some great ideas, and I think?—’
‘I’m not referring to the hotel. I mean you.’
‘Me, what?’
‘I’m not sure I want you to go to London this weekend.’
‘I will have to, I’m afraid. I haven’t been home in a fortnight, nor seen Georgia.’ Ava paused. ‘Would you like to come with me?’
‘I’d love nothing more. I’ll make a note to sort out tickets for the train.’
Ava laughed as he side-eyed her. ‘It’s almost as if you were waiting for me to ask.’
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Ava had been surprised when Jack had asked her to accompany him to Mr Healey’s funeral. All the same, she could see from his demeanour that he wanted her along to comfort him. He mentioned he hadn’t been to a funeral since Dan’s and wanted to try and stop the inevitable memories from resurfacing. At least, he said, if she was there with him, he would feel supported.
It was a small service, at Somerley Church to the right of the square in the town centre. There were about fifty people in the congregation. The vicar had some funny anecdotes that Harry must have shared with him. All in all, it was a lovely tribute to a father from a son when they had never seen eye to eye.
Afterwards, they made the journey to Somerley Crematorium, where Mr Healey was laid to rest with his wife. Ava noticed Harry trying to hold in his emotions. Jack was rubbing his thumb back and forth over her hand as he squeezed it tightly. She tried not to look his way, knowing it would upset her further to see his pain.
Once the service was over, the family gathered together while Harry stood on his own for a while.
