Page 37 of Starting Over at Halesmere House
‘Yeah, well, don’t get used to this,’ Zac warned. ‘A day or two at most and then you’re going home or back to the flat.’
‘I can’t go home, not yet,’ Neil informed him jauntily. ‘I’ve signed up for Sandy’s beginner’s pottery class and the first one’s next week.’
‘What?’ Zac ran a hand over his jaw and Alice stifled a smile when he sighed. ‘When were you planning to ask me if you can stay on? It’s not even my flat; it’s up to Max and Ella who uses it.’
‘Well, we can worry about that when my knee’s right.’ Neil leaned back. ‘Ah, that’s better. I should get my leg up, like Alice said, and keep out of your way. I don’t want to be a nuisance. Could I just borrow a pillow from the other bed, please, Alice? Sorry.’
‘I’ll get it,’ Zac muttered, and he squeezed past her. ‘Sorry, Alice. You’ll be regretting this before the morning.’
‘Well, there is a solution.’ Neil propped his crutches against the bed.
‘You’re right.’ Zac grabbed a pillow and stuffed it none too gently under Neil’s left leg. ‘You can come back with me and make do with that sofa. And quit issuing orders.’
‘Course, it depends if Alice doesn’t mind?’ Neil was looking at her and she would’ve sworn he was making a sad face on purpose as he readjusted his leg on the pillow.
‘Mind what?’ Zac glared at him.
‘If Zac stays here too,’ Neil said hopefully. ‘That way he can look after me, and we won’t have to trouble you too much.’
Alice’s first dumbfounded response was a laugh that sounded more like a splutter. ‘It does make sense,’ she told Zac casually. ‘It would save you coming back and forth to check up on your dad.’
‘And there’s two beds, ready made up.’ Neil picked up a crutch and gave it a happy tap on the bed next to his.
Really, Neil’s suggestion was bonkers, and Alice should have refuted it. She didn’t regret offering him the guest room for a few days, even if he did talk all the time, but she definitely hadn’t bargained on him attempting to include Zac in the invitation as well. And she couldn’t retract it; she’d just said it made sense. Which, for Neil’s sake, it did, having Zac around to help. What it might do to her, though, being so near to him night and day, was something else altogether.
‘I’ll make that tea and bring you some ice, Neil.’ She backed away, putting the kettle on the Aga and checking the freezer.
‘Alice?’
‘Yes?’ She straightened up, an ice pad in one hand.
‘You don’t have to do this.’ Zac shrugged as he closed the bedroom door. ‘My dad, me. We’re not your problem.’
‘I just thought I could help.’
‘You really are, more than you know, and I appreciate it. Is that for him?’
Alice nodded and he accepted the ice pad she offered.
‘Thanks.’
‘You’re welcome.’ The kettle was whistling, and she took it off the Aga, pointing to a drawer and setting out three mugs. ‘Tea towels are in there if you want to wrap one around it. Would you like some tea before you go back for his things?’
‘Better not, I might as well do it now. He’ll only want something he hasn’t got if I don’t get on with it.’ Zac was at the breakfast bar, ice pad in hand. ‘What would you like me to do, about my stuff?’
His voice was uncertain, and she understood at once. This was her call, and she could choose. But he wanted to stay; his eyes had told her that.
‘Bring it back with you?’ Slowly she poured hot water over two tea bags in mugs. Their bedrooms were on opposite sides of the house; she wouldn’t see that much of him. They were both working, both busy. It would be fine.
‘Sure?’
‘Positive.’ She’d been careful all her adult life where her emotions were concerned and look where that had got her. He nodded quickly and turned away. The front door closed after him, and Alice swiftly decided that not dating Zac was getting more exciting by the day.
She took the tea in to Neil and set it on his bedside table. He thanked her as she checked the bathroom for towels. The cupboard was empty, and she’d need to bring in some more from her room.
‘Do you need any pain relief?’
‘No, I’m fine, thanks. They gave me some at the hospital; that’ll do me until bedtime.’
