Page 39 of Last Dance, Second Chance

“How are you feeling?” Jessica asked.

“OK, I guess. I had a message from my solicitor to say that everything went through fine. I am officially divorced, which is a good thing, I suppose.”

“Let’s take your mind off things,” suggested Jessica. “Do you want to take the dogs out? If we drove to the playing fields, I should be able to hobble around them on my crutches.”

“Sure, some sun and fresh air will do me good.”

* * *

When they returned to the house an hour later, Nathan did seem to be in a happier mood.

“I’m taking over this evening now,” said Jessica, bossily. “I’d like you to go upstairs and change out of those sensible work clothes and into something comfortable and ideally with an elasticated waist.”

“Right-o,” said Nathan.

Jessica began cutting up the chicken breast, wishing she’d brought the strips so she didn’t have to handle the poultry as much.

“Well, I never,” said Nathan, coming up behind her. “I never thought I would see you chopping up raw meat.”

“Don’t get used to it,” grumbled Jessica. “This is a special occasion.”

“You mean you’ll only cook for me when I get divorced?”

“Yes. There are cold beers in the fridge, so grab yourself one and stick some music on, then you can chat and entertain me while I slave away at the cooker top.”

“I’m not going to argue with that,” he said. “A beer for you too?”

“I think I’m going to need one.”

Jessica began frying the chicken and diced up some onion and some peppers which she added to the pan once the chicken was cooked through.

“If you give me food poisoning, I may never forgive you,” said Nathan, placing her drink beside her.

“If you keep on complaining, you won’t get any supper,” Jessica retorted.

“That might be safer, to be honest. You did use a different knife and board for the chicken and the vegetables, didn’t you?”

“I used a different knife and turned the board over. Stop fussing.”

“I didn’t realise being concerned about salmonella was fussing.”

“It is. Drink your beer.”

She looked over her shoulder at Nathan and threw him a smile.

“You are incorrigible,” he said, but he smiled back. “Are you sure you’re OK standing there to cook?”

“If I say I’m not, will you come and take over?”

“Probably. It seems I’m a soft touch when it comes to you.”

“I’ve noticed that too, but I’m fine, honestly, and I can leave it and sit down in a minute anyway.” She turned back to the food but could feel Nathan’s eyes on her, checking she really was fine standing.

“Thank you for doing this for me,” he said.

“Don’t be daft.” Jessica added the sauce to the pan. “You’ve cooked for me loads, it’s nothing.”

She turned the curry down to simmer and joined Nathan at the table.

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