Page 50 of Last Dance, Second Chance

“Yes, please,” said Emily. Sophie nodded.

“Great. I’ll sort that out with your parents then.”

Jessica went back into the kitchen where her mum was clearing up.

“Can I give you a hand with that?” she asked.

“Not if it will hurt your foot,” Sarah said firmly.

“I can load the dishwasher if you pile the dirty stuff on the side for me,” Jessica suggested.

“All right, thank you, but stop if it’s making your foot ache.”

“I will, I promise. Are Dad and Nathan still outside?”

“Yeah, they’re getting along well. Nathan was saying that he took you canoeing on Saturday, and your dad wanted to show him that old paddle that he’s had for years in the shed.”

“I remember that thing. Didn’t we use it with an inflatable dinghy once?”

“Yes, in the pond near your grandma’s house,” Sarah said, laughing.

They continued working in silence until the dishwasher was on and anything that wouldn’t fit in it was stacked up on the side.

“Nathan’s lovely,” Sarah said, filling up the kettle.

“He is,” agreed Jessica.

“I’m guessing he’s single as you were staying with him.”

“Yes. He’s just divorced, actually.”

“Oh no, what a shame.” Jessica couldn’t help noticing that her mother didn’t look like it was much of a shame that Nathan was back on the market. “Do you know what happened?”

“No, only that that’s why he moved back here.”

Joe walked in from the garden followed by Nathan.

“Oh, you needn’t have done that, love,” Joe said, putting his arm around his wife. “I would have helped.”

“Jessica gave me a hand so it was no trouble. Would you like a tea or coffee, Nathan?”

“No, thank you,” he said. “I’d better be getting home. I’ve left my dog by himself.”

“Oh, you should have brought him with you!” Joe declared. “Does he get on well with Monty?”

“Yes, they’re great friends.”

“We’ll have to get them together for some walks,” Joe said.

“Dennis would like that. Thank you. And thank you for a lovely evening.”

“It was our pleasure,” said Sarah.

“I’ll come out with you,” Jessica said. There was no way he was getting away without talking to her.

She waited until they were outside the front door. She pulled it closed behind them so they were definitely out of her parents’ earshot before she said, “You didn’t seem very happy about me staying for longer.”

“What? Of course I am. I’ve been worrying about you going back to your apartment and struggling with the stairs...”

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