Page 40 of Last Dance, Second Chance

“It’s nice to be able to do something for you for a change,” she said.

“I have to say, the food does smell really yummy.”

“Of course it does. Not even I could mess this up.”

* * *

Even so, Jessica was surprised to discover their supper was edible. After the meal, she offered to clean up by herself, but Nathan insisted on helping. “I’ve eaten so much, I need to move about to help me digest.”

“That’s your medical opinion, is it?”

“Yes, and I’m standing by it.”

It took longer than usual for the kitchen to be cleared; Jessica was a far messier cook than Nathan, it seemed. “I’m not going to ask how you managed to get bits of chopped onion as far as the hallway,” Nathan commented, before suggesting, “Another beer?”

“Why not?”

“Let’s take them outside. Come on, boys.” Nathan whistled and the dogs followed him into the garden.

“How are you doing?” asked Jessica, accepting a drink from him.

“OK.” He sat down heavily in a plastic chair. “It’s definitely for the best, but it’s strange that my marriage is now officially over, even though we’ve been apart for over a year.”

“What made you choose Bowerbridge to move to?” asked Jessica, carefully.

“To begin with, I tried to stay in Manchester. I liked my job and I had friends there, but most of my friends were Claire’s friends as well, and it got kind of awkward. I think I needed to make a proper break. I started to look around for another job and it seemed a little bit like fate that one showed up in Bowerbridge. I have such happy memories here, and it’s close to my mum and my sister now. My sister’s a nurse in Tonbridge and my mum moved to be close to her when my eldest niece was born.”

“And did having a proper break work?”

“It’s helped, especially getting Dennis.”

“He’s very good company.”

“He certainly is. And I like that it’s quiet here and that I’ve been largely left alone to brood, but having you to stay has made me see that I need to have other people around me again, outside of work.”

“It can’t be easy having your marriage end,” Jessica said, putting her hand on his.

“And this was technically my second marriage,” Nathan said.

“You’ve been married before?” said Jessica, struggling to keep the shock from her voice. How had two women been stupid enough to let Nathan go?

“You of all people should know that,” Nathan said, a grin forming on his lips.

Seeing her perplexed look, he continued, “We were married one playtime when we were in Year1. Ryan Thomas was my best man, and you had about ten bridesmaids. I can’t believe you don’t remember.”

Jessica laughed. “You really had me going there! I think I do remember actually — you said we had to do it quickly because you needed to get back to your football match.”

“Ever the gentleman.” Nathan gave a little bow. “If I recall, the game had carried on from the day before, so was of vast importance.”

“More important than your bride?”

“What can I say? I was young and an idiot. Any man would have to be to let you slip through his fingers.”

Nathan’s gaze met Jessica’s and drifted down to rest on her mouth. Jessica swallowed hard as neither of them broke the silence.

“It’s a good thing we’ve both decided not to do any more kissing,” she said, managing to find her voice. “Otherwise I think we could be in trouble here.”

“Yeah,” said Nathan, throatily. “Definitely a good thing.”

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