Page 70 of The Last Saturday In July
‘Simon, I need a break.’ The words rushed out.
‘Sorry?’
Jess faltered. ‘I think we need a break, Simon. I’m going to move back home for a few days at least. I … we need to think.’
There was another long silence. She thought he had hung up.
When he spoke again, his tone was cool. ‘Take all the time you need, Jess. I’m working late tonight. I expect you to be gone by the time I get home.’
He hung up and Jess ran to the bathroom, turning on the cold tap to rinse her hands. Her stomach heaved and she threw up into the sink. With shaky hands, she turned on the other tap, rinsing the sink clean. She stared at her reflection, eyes puffy and bloodshot in a white face. What had she done?
Chapter 27
CARMEL opened the door to Jess, who stood, suitcase by her feet, a large handbag slung across her body. ‘Hi, Mam. Sorry, I couldn’t find my key.’
Carmel’s gaze went to her case and then swept back up to Jess. ‘Please tell me your washing machine has broken.’
She wished she didn’t have to do this to her family. ‘Not exactly.’
‘I’m putting the kettle on.’ Carmel ushered her into the hall.
A while later, Jess finished her second mug of tea.
Carmel folded her arms on the kitchen table. ‘I’m still no wiser, love. You had a row with Simon because you forgot that his boss is a widower. I’m sure he’ll understand your heart was in the right place.’
‘Maybe.’ Jess huffed out a breath. ‘But that wasn’t why we rowed. He got Kate involved, instead of talking to me.’
Carmel gave a sympathetic nod. ‘He probably shouldn’t have done that. But you can’t move out every time you have a row.’
Jess glanced at her empty ring finger. Her engagement ring was still in its box at Simon’s apartment, and she hadn’t thought to pack it. Maybe it was a sign that they should make a clean break. Who was she fooling, anyway? She’d cheated just weeks before their wedding. If she really loved Simon, she wouldn’t have even considered a one-night stand. A wave of exhaustion hit her.
‘This feels different, Mam –I needed to get away.’
‘Oh Jess.’ Carmel squeezed her hand. ‘Have you talked to Kate since?’
‘No, I don’t want to right now.’
Carmel ran her hands back through her fine, fair hair, so like her younger daughter’s. ‘You girls are close, and it sounds like she was just trying to help.’
Jess felt her chest tighten. ‘Then she should have told Simon it was none of her business and he should talk to me. Look, do you mind if we don’t talk about this anymore now?’
Carmel nodded reassuringly. ‘Of course.’ She hesitated. ‘You’ll be in Zoe’s old room tonight, remember. Oh, Finn has moved into the spare room in Nana’s for the moment.’
Jess blinked. ‘When did that happen? I only saw Zoe yesterday.’
‘The pair of them went down yesterday evening, and Finn did some jobs for Moira. By the time they were leaving she had a proposition for him. He’ll stay rent free, while her foot is healing, and help her with the shopping and cleaning, and whatever else she wants done.’
Jess took a moment to digest this. ‘Were he and Zoe getting on all right here?’
‘As far as I could see.’ Carmel was matter of fact. ‘Although I think Finn felt a bit awkward. At least at Nana’s he’s being useful. She actually needs him.’
‘How does Dad feel about it, Mam? Finn isn’t even family.’
‘If your dad had any doubts about him, he’d have said something. Finn’s a decent lad, Jess, and sure it’s not like he’s doing anything personal for her. Nana’s quite independent, and she has the carer coming in to check on her every day. But he’s company. She loves his performance art, so they’ll have things to talk about.’
Her mother made it sound like Finn was dropping in for afternoon tea. He might be well-intentioned, but he was a total flake. Jess made a mental note to visit Moira soon.
‘I’ll leave clean sheets in Zoe’s room for you.’ Carmel looked at her properly. ‘You do look quite tired. Do you want to go to bed now?’
