Page 38 of A Fresh Start at Bramble Cottage
“Bacon and eggs?” she offered.
“Yes, that will do.”
Focussing on the frying pan gave her a few moments to think about what she wanted to say.It’s not you, it’s me.A cliché, which didn’t even have the virtue of being true.
I don’t feel this is working. We’re drifting apart.But that would give him something to argue against, an opportunity to browbeat her into backing down.I don’t want to marry you. I don’t love you — I don’t even like you very much...
“Morning everyone!” Jayde bounced into the room, her cheerful greeting a startling contrast to her usual early morning manner. “Mmm — breakfast. That smells good.”
“You want bacon and eggs?” Vicky queried, startled.
“Yes, please.”
Apparently the diet she had been so fussy about yesterday had been abandoned. Jayde was prone to do that, then moan that she never managed to lose weight. Not that she needed to — she had a great figure, slim but with the sort of curves that Vicky had always envied.
At least her arrival meant there was no chance of settling the situation with Jeremy. Maybe she was a coward, but she was forced to admit that it was something of a relief. Later...
Or maybe when she got back to London. After all, it was a big decision she was making. It would help if she had some concrete plans in place for her future. A job, at least. She was pretty sure she wouldn’t get a glowing reference from Jeremy’s mother.
The bacon was sizzling in the pan. She shifted it onto the warmed plates, and cracked the eggs. In a moment she brought the two plates over to the table and sat down to finish her toast.
Jayde frowned down at her plate as if slightly surprised that she had asked for so many calories. Picking up her knife and fork she began to carefully trim the rind and fat from the bacon. “Are you coming home today?” she asked, cutting off a tiny piece of bacon and forking it into her mouth.
Vicky slanted a brief glance at Jeremy. “Not today. There are still a few more things I need to sort out here. I have another week of annual leave.”
Was it her imagination, or was there something in the look that passed between him and her sister? No... she was just being paranoid — maybe because of her own guilty conscience.
Although they did seem to be getting on better than usual this weekend. And what had they been doing yesterday afternoon, when they had been alone together for more than an hour... ?
She watched them covertly as she ate her toast. Every look, every smile... was she reading more into it than was really there?
Jeremy finished his breakfast and placed his knife and fork neatly side by side on his plate. “Well, since there’s nothing more for me to do here, I’ll be leaving. Forward the quote to me when you get it. And arrange for at least two more. I’ve identified several other builders who seem suitable and emailed their details to you.”
“Thank you.” Somehow Vicky kept her smile in place.
“I’ll fetch my bag.”
“Right...” Vicky began to clear the table and load the washing-up into the sink.
“I don’t suppose you need a hand with that, do you?” Jayde asked.
“No, thanks — I can manage.”
“Okay.” She swirled out of the kitchen.
At least she was in a good mood, Vicky reflected as she wiped the plates and propped them in the wire drainer. Maybe the next couple of days wouldn’t be too bad after all.
She heard Jeremy’s footsteps on the stairs and turned from the sink to say goodbye. He came into the kitchen and slid his arm around her shoulders and kissed her — a proper kiss this time, but quite brief.
“I’ll see you in a few days then.”
“Yes. Well, probably Saturday. I’d like to get everything sorted out, so I won’t need to come down again for a while.”
“Good. Don’t forget about the quote, and the other builders.”
“I won’t.” It was easier to agree with him than to argue.
He opened the door, then glanced back over his shoulder as Jayde came dancing down the stairs, bouncing her suitcase behind her. “Ah — you’re ready.”
