Page 42 of Sunny Sundays at Primrose Hall

‘Do you think? I’m not so sure about that,’ he said, his mouth turning up in a crooked smile. She detected an air of melancholy about him. ‘I think he’s probably the prototype, the real deal. I’m the knock-off version. I’ve noticed how people seem to like him, really like him. They’re drawn to his genuine personality, his humour, his ability to make people feel at ease.’

It was true and while the brothers were alike in so many ways, there were plenty of ways in which they differed too. Tom was a calming influence as opposed to Jackson’s hot-headedness. He was thoughtful and considered while Jackson was spontaneous, and often spoke without thinking first. Their differences complemented each other, though.

‘People like you too,’ Pia reassured him. Jackson was a successful public speaker, articulate and engaging on his subject of personal development. It was part of his job to make people like him, but that was in front of an audience of hundreds of people. On a one-to-one basis, he could sometimes come across as being awkward and brusque, his inherent shyness and reticence coming to the fore. ‘I think sometimes people might find you intimidating, whereas Tom is probably a bit more approachable.’

‘Really? So you’re my brother’s number one fan these days, is that it?’

‘No, I’myournumber one fan, but I do think Tom is lovely. I think we’re lucky that he’s come into our lives, don’t you?’

Jackson grunted, but Pia knew that he felt the same, even if he wasn’t about to admit it to her now.

‘I should call Mum and see how she’s doing. She’ll probably have more details about Dad’s condition by now.’

‘Yes, I said you’d want to talk to her. Remember she doesn’t know about your accident yet. I was going to talk to them about it this morning, before I heard about Rex’s health scare, obviously. Then, of course, it didn’t seem the right moment to tell her. Tom said it’s probably worth waiting now until he gets out there. It will be better if it comes from him direct.’

‘You two really have thought of everything, haven’t you?’ he said with a smile.

‘Only so that you don’t have to,’ she replied, kissing him gently on the cheek.

‘You’re right, though, it’s probably a good idea. Honestly, I won’t be able to relax until those two are back at the hall so that I can see for myself that they’re actually okay.’

‘Me too, and I especially want you back home as well. It’s getting very lonely in that big bed of ours without you at my side. Look, I should get back and see if Tom’s managed to sort his flight out yet. As soon as we have any more information, I’ll let you know. I think he wants to pop in and see you before he goes anyway so if there’s anything else you can chat it through with him.’

Pia stood up and collected her bag ready to go. Jackson grabbed hold of her hand, threading his fingers through hers.

‘You know, when I think about the accident, it makes me realise how lucky I am.’

‘Oh, my goodness, I know! It could have been so much worse. You could have died, Jackson. It makes me shudder to think about it.’

‘No, I didn’t mean that. It’s made me appreciate just how lucky I am to have my family around me. You have to rememberthat Mum and Dad weren’t really around much when I was a teenager so to be given a second chance to rebuild that broken family unit feels like a real blessing, even if Ronnie, bless her cotton socks, seems to go out of her way to irritate me.’ He chuckled to himself. ‘Having Tom turn up, the brother I never really wanted, has been a bonus. He’s a great lad, even if it must be tough for him knowing that he’ll never be the better-looking brother.’ Pia shook her head indulgently. ‘But I don’t think we would have this tight unit now if it wasn’t for you. You’re the great homemaker. You bring everyone together and make it work, for which I am very grateful.’

She bit on her lip, deeply touched by this rare show of sentimentality, although she could tell he was growing weary by the strain he carried in his voice.

‘Have I told you recently that I love you, Pia?’ he said, looking up at her with soulful dark eyes from the depths of his hospital bed.

‘Not nearly enough, Jackson. Not nearly enough.’

28

Every other Tuesday night was quickly becoming a highlight in Sophie’s social calendar. It was a regular date with Greta, who would come round to the cottage for a glass of wine or two, and they would sit and catch up on each other’s news, barely stopping for breath, invariably ending up laughing hysterically over something or other. When Sophie had been living with Greta and her family they would usually get together in the kitchen, just the two of them, around teatime when they would natter about the highlights and lowlights of their respective days. After Sophie moved out, they both quickly realised that they were missing out on those special times when they could share literally anything with each other. Although Greta had rescued Sophie from an awful situation by offering her a place to stay, Sophie had been a huge support to Greta as well. Their relationship went both ways. Sophie provided a listening ear to her friend when she was worried about her children away at university, didn’t pass judgement when she grumbled about her caring duties for her husband Bob’s elderly father, Edward, and laughed when she recounted her many frustrations with Bob and his hapless DIY skills. That special time spent together gavethem both the opportunity to voice their innermost hopes and fears, however silly, in a safe and supportive space.

Tonight, Sophie had prepared some antipasti on her wooden chopping board, some cold cooked meats, along with some cubes of cheese, and olives, something to nibble on as they chatted.

‘How did it go at the car show last week? Did you sell lots?’ Greta asked, popping a Padron pepper in her mouth.

‘It was such a brilliant day.’ Sophie’s thoughts flittered to that Sunday and not for the first time. Everything about it had been perfect. ‘I sold loads of pieces, met lots of new customers who were there for the first time and who promised to come back, and it was such a lovely atmosphere all round.’

‘There really was. Bob enjoyed looking at the old cars, but I was happy to wander around and admire the house and the gardens. It’s such a beautiful spot. We called in to the stables to see you, but someone said you’d popped out for some lunch. We had to rush off to visit Edward, so we missed you.’

‘Oh, that’s a shame.’ She could only think that she had been out with Tom at the time, walking through the grounds. It had only been an hour at the most, in the middle of a very busy day, but it was a moment in time that Sophie had revisited in her head so many times since. She could conjure up the warmth of the sun on her skin, the sweet smell of the grass and the excitable buzz of anticipation in the air. She’d replayed her conversations with Tom, recalling the way he’d looked at her with those long lingering sidelong glances and how they’d laughed, but more than that, she’d sensed that they’d connected on a level that couldn’t be so easily defined. All her instincts, and the tingling sensations that had travelled along her body giving her goosebumps on a sunny day, told her that he must have been feeling it too. Now she had to wonder if she’d been mistaken.

She’d been disappointed that she’d hadn’t spent any proper time with him at the pub, but his promise to call her and arrange a dinner date had kept her going through all of last week. By the time she’d got to the weekend without having heard from him again, she had to wonder if Tom was having second thoughts about their friendship. Perhaps he’d thought they were becoming too close and had wanted to put some distance between them. After all, hadn’t he told her he was enjoying being on his own and was in no rush to get into another relationship? Funny thing was she’d told him the same thing, only in the matter of a few weeks, her perspective on the subject had completely changed.

‘Sophie… Sophie, are you okay?’

‘Sorry!’ She shook her head and brought herself back to the moment. ‘I was miles away there.’

‘I could tell. Not thinking about Kyle, I hope. He’s not still bothering you?’

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