‘As a crime writer, that’s funny coming from you.’
Jack grinned and offered his hand to Harry. ‘MaybeI just need a friend.’
Harry seemed choked as he shook hands with Jack. ‘MaybeI do, too.’
Ava arrived half an hour after Harry had left. Jack filled her in about the conversation.
‘Did you know?’ Jack questioned afterwards.
Ava nodded. ‘Yes, but I was sworn to secrecy. I’m sorry.’
‘I admire your loyalty.’
‘I’m a secret keeper.’
They smiled at each other.
‘It all seems a bit surreal,’ Jack continued. ‘First I lose a brother and then I find out Harry could have been my brother-in-law.’
‘Perhaps he’d have stayed around if he knew about the baby.’
‘I doubt that. He was always a wild child.’
‘But that was back then. I’m not sure how much he’s changed, but he’s older now, wiser. We all are. Do you think they’ll get together as a couple now?’
Jack pouted, deep in thought. ‘I think it would probably be too weird,’ he replied. ‘Having said that, nothing is set in stone. They might get to know each other and fall in love again. They idolised each other as kids.’
‘You’re going to tell me that was down to the Somerley magic, aren’t you?’
Jack sniggered. ‘More likely teenage angst. I remember that well.’
Ava did, too. And this trip was like being given a second chance. She hoped some of that Somerley magic might rub off on her and Jack, too.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
All too soon, it was Ava’s last day at Sapphire Lake. It was Sunday afternoon, and she was catching a train back that afternoon. Earlier, she’d had a hearty lunch with Jack and his parents, Eliza, and Willow.
Having stayed at Jack’s home for most of the week, she decided to go out on her own for a walk while he went for a run with Graham. She took a stroll around the lake, suddenly finding a lump in her throat when she came to the large boulder she had sat on so many times. It always brought back fond memories.
Hoisting herself onto it, she wrapped her arms around her knees and stared ahead. She was going to miss that view as much as seeing Jack every day.
After completing everything she’d set out to do by Friday, she wasn’t looking forward to London tomorrow. She didn’t want to leave but at least she was coming back next weekend. And as she had plans to get out of there soon, she preferred to focus on those.
Now she had an hour to go before Jack gave her a lift to the train station. Yet her thoughts were on what might happen in the future. She didn’t want to leave Sapphire Lake and return to living a busy but monotonous life in London. She realised thatshe didn’t want to be in Londonat all.It felt right to be here on Sapphire Lake, seeing its glory on a daily basis. Waking up with Jack every morning.
But next weekend, she’d be back and then Jack was coming to stay with her the following one. She’d promised to show him some more of the sights, but by then she expected she would have missed him so much that all she’d want to do was spend time with him on her own in the flat. Providing Georgia wasn’t around.
Her phone beeped a message. It was from Jack asking where she was. She was about to reply when there was a rustle of leaves behind her and a playful bark. Graham bounded down the path and onto the rock, delighted to see her.
As she petted him, Jack came into view.
‘Hey, I wondered if I’d find you here,’ he said. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes, I just needed a moment alone.’ She glanced at the lake, unable to meet his eye. ‘It’s such a wonderful spot. No wonder you never left.’
‘I can remember lots of nice memories about this rock,’ he teased, jumping up to sit next to her.
She gave a faint smile and returned her eyes to the view. There was something magical about being by the side of water, but was this all too much of a dream, happening too fast? Was her bubble about to burst?
