Page 8 of You Only Live Once
‘No, it’s fine. Just don’t get used to it.’ I gave a quick laugh. ‘This is purely a one-off. The rest of the time, you’re on your own, although feel free to use anything you need in the kitchen. I’ve got a shop arriving in the morning so everything should be replenished by then, but if there’s anything particular you’d like me to get in then I can do that, so just let me know.’
He shifted his weight, momentarily looking pained. ‘I really didn’t mean for you to go to all this trouble. I promise it will only be for short time. I’m already looking for places to rent.’
‘I know. But that’s no reason not to be comfortable now and it’s really no trouble. I know you’d certainly do the same for Felix if he was in the same position.’
Felix was nodding in agreement with his back to us as he’d just discovered the cheese straws I’d baked early that afternoon. He pulled a couple out and handed them to Jack. ‘Here, try these, they’re delicious!’
‘Felix!’
‘What?’ he asked around a mouthful of cheese straw, crumbs spraying out as he did so.
Jack had paused with the cheese straw that my brother had handed him halfway to his mouth. I rolled my eyes.
‘Never mind.’ I glanced to Jack and nodded at the pastry in his hand. ‘You may as well eat them now he’s handed them to you.’ They both disappeared within seconds, and he made an appreciative noise.
‘Those really are delicious.’
‘Yeah,’ Felix said. ‘It’s a good job you have an active job, mate. Living with Lily and her cooking could turn you into the size of a house otherwise.’
‘He’s not living with me,’ I corrected, suddenly feeling awkward and needing to clarify the situation, although I wasn’t sure exactly for whom.
This time, it was Felix’s turn to roll his eyes. ‘You know what I mean,’ he said, his hand moving towards the tin that held the remnants of my afternoon’s baking. I moved it away and put the lid back on. My brother let out a hard-done-by sigh.
‘Right, anything else you need, Jack? I’m going to head home.’
‘No, thanks, Felix. I really appreciate everything you’ve done. And you too, of course, Lily.’ He smiled at us both.
‘I’ve not really done anything yet,’ I joked. ‘You might be regretting it all within a week.’
Jack’s smile became full wattage. I’d seen it briefly on the screen during the Skype call, but I’d forgotten just what an impact it could have in real life. ‘Somehow I doubt that.’
I turned away and began fussing with a tea towel. ‘I guess we’ll see about that.’
We both said goodbye to Felix, each giving him a hug, and sent our love to Poppy and the children. I closed the bi-fold door behind my brother and turned back to find Jack standing, slightly awkwardly, in my kitchen. It was a big kitchen, but his presence still managed to fill it.
‘Are you sure you don’t want a drink or anything?’
‘No, I’m fine really, thanks. Felix and I got a coffee on the way back from the airport.’
‘OK. Perhaps I should just show you to your room so you can start making yourself comfortable, and there’s water on the bedside up there if you want it anyway. Is there anything I can carry?’
Jack hoiked the last bag over his shoulder and picked up the suitcase. ‘No, I’ve got it, thanks very much.’
I led the way out of the kitchen and up the stairs, Jack following close behind. I had never been a big jeans wearer, but today I’d changed into a pair, teaming them with a plain T-shirt with cute ruffled sleeves. I tended towards dresses most of the time, but I’d spent far too much time thinking about what I should wear this evening. I’d tied myself up in knots, considering whether, if I put a dress on, Jack might think I’d dressed up for him, and that definitely wasn’t the impression I wanted to give. So I’d gone with the casual look. But now I felt sure that had been an error as I was acutely aware that with me leading the way up the stairs my bottom was slap-bang in his eyeline. It’s not that it was a bad bum, more that I wasn’t used to having it on show as much as it was right now in the snug jeans. I really should have just stuck with the dress and not overthought it. Damn.
Thankfully, we had reached the landing, and I opened the door to the guest bedroom I’d set aside for Jack to use.
‘This is yours. I hope it’s all right.’
Jack walked in, carefully placing his luggage on the floor and looking around as he did so.
‘All right?’ he repeated, laughing. ‘It’s beautiful. You really shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.’
‘It was no trouble,’ I insisted. ‘Nothing I wouldn’t do for any guest.’ I was suddenly and inexplicably gripped by a need to assure him he wasn’t getting preferential treatment.
He levelled the almost hypnotic green gaze at me. ‘From what I hear, you’re not really overkeen on the whole guest thing apart from your family.’
I waved my hand in dismissal. ‘You shouldn’t believe half of what my brother tells you. You know what he’s like.’
