Page 75 of The Art of Loving You

‘Sit yourself down, Libby, and prepare for a taste sensation!’ Liam placed a plate in front of me with a magician’s flourish while Noah draped a piece of kitchen towel over my lap.

‘Madam …’ He began to pour from a teapot. ‘This is our vintage PG Tips.’

I took a sip. ‘Exquisite.’

The hob was swimming with grease, oil splattered the tiles, cracked eggshells were strewn over the worktops but I didn’t care, thankful that Noah and Liam were chatting easily.

‘I wish I could paint,’ Noah said. ‘Pictures I mean.’

‘Have you ever tried to work on a canvas?’ Liam asked.

‘No.’

‘There you go. I’d never have thought I was creative until Jack gave me a chance.’

‘He was a good man,’ Noah said. ‘From what I’ve heard.’

‘The best.’ Liam was wistful. He squeezed the bread tighter in his hand, mayo-streaked ketchup spilling down his white T-shirt. Jack’s T-shirt. Garbled apologies rushed towards me.

‘Sorry. Shit. Sorry, Libby, I’ll—’

‘I don’t mind. Honestly.’ I placed my hand on his arm. We were both shaking.

‘But—’

My mobile began to ring, cutting off Liam’s distress.

Sid.

‘Hello!’ His face filled my screen. He’d become so adept at FaceTiming. ‘I was thinking about yesterday, duck. I didn’t want you to feel pressured into tackling the garden and the—’

‘We’ve already started,’ I said. ‘Sid, this is Noah.’ I angled the camera around so Sid could see him. ‘He’s a decorator I met when … well, he’s going to help me project-manage—’

‘Project-manage! Get you!’ Sid laughed which triggered a coughing fit. I waited for him to grab a Polo and compose himself.

‘And of course you know Liam.’ Liam stood behind me and waved.

‘Hello, lad. It’s good to see you.’

‘You too. I’m …’ I could hear the catch in Liam’s voice.

‘You’re being more Jack,’ Sid said. ‘I know you are, lad, I know.’

‘Libby said you’ve offered to pay me a part-time wage out of the trust. I won’t let you down.’

‘Too bloody right you won’t. I’ll be over soon to see what you’ve done.’

‘It’ll be a while until it’s finished, Sid!’ I said.

‘Don’t underestimate yourself, girl. All it needs is a lick of paint.’

After we’d eaten we were more relaxed.

‘There’s not a lot we can do until we’ve got the materials,’ Noah said. ‘How about I head off and pick up what we need and we can regroup tomorrow. Want to come with me, Liam? Give me a hand? And then I could drop you home? Where do you live?’

‘The flats on Bain Rise.’

‘In town then. I can pick you up in the morning if you want?’

---