Page 54 of Autumn in Sycamore Park
‘And a work night,’ Tom said. ‘I’ve got it. Don’t worry, I’m a perfect gentleman.’
Jennifer’s heart was fluttering. A significant part of her was hoping he wasn’t quite perfect, even if she really needed an early night.
James, though, demanded a monopoly on Tom, taking up residence on Tom’s lap the moment he sat down, then making himself comfortable for the night. Tom grimaced awkwardly as Jennifer passed him a plate of food, laughing as James woke up just long enough to take interest.
‘Will he eat a prawn?’
‘No, he’ll just lick it a bit, so I wouldn’t bother.’
‘No problem. So, tell me, how was your day? I want to hear the real version, not the glossy, for-the-cameras version.’
Jennifer smiled. ‘Do you really want to hear about my problems?’
Tom leaned forward as best he could over the relaxing ball of cat. ‘Every single one,’ he said. ‘And if there’s anything I can do to help, you only have to ask.’
‘You’re a very good actor,’ Jennifer said.
Tom laughed. ‘I can’t be that good,’ he said. ‘I haven’t been recognised in years.’
‘I imagine the deer stalkers help with that,’ Jennifer said.
‘I own quite a collection. Nothing is as embarrassing as having an old dear stop you on the street. So, that’s enough about me and my fame. If you want to know more, last time I looked I had a Wikipedia page. Tell me about you.’
Jennifer stared at him. She thought about the years she was together with Mark and tried to remember a time when he had ever asked her about herself. There had been the odd passing comment, but she couldn’t remember him ever looking in her eyes with such sincerity as she saw in Tom’s. Before she knew it, tears had filled her eyes and she was covering her mouth to prevent herself from openly sobbing.
Tom frowned. ‘He was a real dickhead, wasn’t he? It’s all right.’
Jennifer just nodded. ‘I’m okay.’
‘It’s all right to cry, Jennifer.’ Tom smiled. ‘I’d come over and comfort you but I’m afraid the cat might try to rip my face off.’
24
Surprising Discoveries
When she wokeup on Thursday morning, Jennifer wanted to text Tom to apologise for basically complaining about her past for two hours before he finally admitted he ought to get going, but he had dropped another surprise on her by saying that he didn’t own a phone. Instead, she lay in bed a little longer than she had intended, wondering whether she had unintentionally friend-zoned herself by spilling her frustrations on the past rather than her plans for the future. Tom, to his eternal credit, had listened intently, hands gentling massaging a purring James once he had finished eating. Jennifer, having opened the floodgates, was unable to stop until she’d bashed Mark into the ground like a disliked tent peg.
Getting up, she hastily walked Bonky down to the end of Willis Lane and back, before jumping into the car and making it to work with moments to spare before the morning meeting.
At lunchtime, she pulled Gavin Gordon aside.
‘I need to tell you something important,’ she said.
‘What is it, Miss?’
‘It’s about Matthew. Well, about his mother. This is top secret, and you mustn’t share it with anyone or I’ll get into trouble with the headmaster. Please don’t say anything to Matthew either.’
‘Sure, Miss.’
‘Matthew’s mother is very sick. She’s having a big operation this weekend and ah….’
‘She might die?’
‘I didn’t say that—’
‘But she might? What’s her survival rate? Fifty percent?’
‘Ah, she’s very poorly.’
