Page 86 of You Only Live Once
Obviously that wasn’t his exact wording, but as he was talking about plants and also using a Latin name, it may as well have been.
‘Huh?’ I snapped out of it.
He showed me a photo on his phone. ‘One of these on the far side of the pond?’
‘Oh. Yes. Looks nice. You really have free rein on this as I have no idea. I just like the idea of introducing more wildlife into the garden.’ I looked down at the dog, who was now leaning against Jack’s leg and getting a rhythmic head rub as he sat there. ‘That doesn’t include you though, mister. No more warnings.’
‘Oh no, has he been in again?’
‘It would be more accurate to say we both have, as he decided he was quite happy sitting in there and refused to come out.’
‘So you went in?’
‘Yes. Little sod,’ I said, looking down at the now angelic face turned to the sun as Jack rubbed his head.
‘I wish I’d been here for that.’
‘If you had, it would have been you going in and not me. He’s your dog and it’s your pond when that happens!’
Jack threw his head back and laughed and I tried not to focus on the wave of happiness that always rushed through me at the sound.
‘I’ll do some more training with him over the weekend to keep him away from the pond. How’s that?’
‘That would be great, thank you.’
‘No problem.’
‘What were you thinking about earlier when I made you jump?’
‘Oh… just how lovely it’s all looking.’ I smiled up at him.
Jack fixed me with a look. ‘I see.’ He was smiling, but I knew he didn’t believe a word I’d just said.
* * *
‘That smells good,’ said Jack, coming up behind me as I was dishing up dinner.
Fresh from the shower, dinner wasn’t the only thing that smelled good. As I turned around my eyes confirmed that, as usual, he looked even better than he smelled. I gave a quick smile of thanks, before gently moving him out of the way so I could busy myself with the final preparations for tonight’s meal.
‘Are you free for dinner tomorrow?’ Jack asked, as I motioned for him to sit.
I mis-stepped in surprise as I began to bring the dish to the table. Jack was up and out of his chair, taking it from me within an instant.
‘You OK? I’ve told you before if anything’s heavy, I’ll carry it,’ he said, setting the dish on the table and pulling my chair out for me before pouring us each a glass of the fizzy grape juice I’d set there earlier. ‘So, dinner tomorrow?’
I swallowed and began dishing us each up a bowl of the pasta puttanesca I’d made. ‘What’s the occasion?’
‘There isn’t one. I’d like to take you out as a way of showing my appreciation for all that you’ve done. And I just thought it would be nice.’
‘So long as we go halves.’
Jack put his fork down on the side of the bowl and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he spread his hands flat on the tabletop, stretching them before letting them relax.
‘I have to admit this is absolutely the hardest I’ve ever had to work to ask someone to have dinner with me.’
I didn’t know what to say so remained silent.
‘OK. I’m going to try again. Lily, I’d very much like to take you to dinner tomorrow night, if you’re free. And no, we would not be going halves.’
