Page 18 of Stolen Kiss

“You’re the only one she has time for. So I bet I’ll get a smile from her if I say that.”

“I’m not so sure about that. I can’t imagine why she likes me more than you lot.”

“I don’t think we’ll ever know why she does the stuff she does. But if we get a sweet piece of land, then it doesn’t matter.”

Archer and Erica waved as they left the kitchens via the back door and Jason was left to his thoughts about the date later on. He mentally went through his clothes in the cottage and didn’t think he had a smart enough jacket to wear. A trip to his oldrooms was on the cards too but that would have to be later after he went through the options Remi had suggested for the wedding.

A few hours later he changed out of his chef whites and went for a run along the beach. He’d missed the familiarity of the island but not the heartache that came with it. When he left to go to the rigs, he had his heart broken when Heidi ended things. Then when he came back for his dad’s funeral he didn’t see her and then he was back on the rigs. They all returned for their grandfather’s funeral and it was even sadder occasion as their aunt went from frosty to stone cold.

For both funerals the four of them stayed on the island for two days each time. So for the last eleven years, Jason didn’t have happy memories of the place. If he dug deep, he didn’t have any happy memories since his mother left. The only light in his life was Heidi for three months.

Jason was four and a half when his mother left the island, but he didn’t meet Heidi until he was twenty-two years. She was like a beacon and he wanted to bask in her light.

Now at thirty-three he was keen to know if he could rekindle things with Heidi or at least get to the bottom of why she called it off all those years ago. She willingly let him hoist her up onto the wall and didn’t flinch when he held onto her tight to watch the gig racing and she didn’t move away when he gave her a light kiss on the mouth. He had hopes and when he entered the grand foyer of Turner Hall, he decided he’d give it his best shot until Christmas. If he couldn’t get her back into his life, then he would leave the island. He knew plenty of chefs that would kill for a spot as head chef in Edward Hall kitchens so Archer wouldn’t miss him.

He’d miss Archer and Luke and Daisy when they returned but if Heidi didn’t want him, then there was no reason to stay.

“Two nephews in one day. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Jason looked up to see his aunt standing at the top of the staircase, one hand on the bannister.

“I’ve come to see if my good jackets are still in the wardrobe.”

“Why?”

“I might need one for this evening.”

“Why?”

“I’m going out on a date. It’s late September and if I remember correctly, it get chilly in the evenings.”

“Who is the lady?”

Jason had run up the stairs two at a time and walked to where his aunt was standing. She was in olive-coloured slacks and a matching twinset. Her hair was perfectly styled and with a touch of makeup. He’d never put her at seventy-nine, but then she’d had a comfortable life, wanting for nothing.

“An old friend,” Jason said hedging.

His aunt was taking too much interest, and he knew from old that the more she was interested the more she was going to meddle.

“Does she have a name?”

“I’m not saying until I know I’ll be seeing her again. No point getting your hopes up that another of the Turner children has found a spouse.”

“Sounds like you’re not hanging about getting a wife.”

“I’m thirty-three. I’d like children while I have the energy.”

His aunt gave him a shrewd look and narrowed her eyes.

“Is she an old girlfriend?”

“I’ve got to run if I’m going to make it on time. You wouldn’t want me to be late, would you?”

She cleared her throat and straightened her cardigan. Jason gave her a kiss on the cheek and power walked down the corridor to his room.

“Thanks for giving Erica the land,” he said over his shoulder but she’d gone.

He entered his room, twisting the knob correctly first time. His old wardrobe was filled with clothes from formal dinner jackets to his surfing gear. Flicking through the hangers he dismissed half of them until he found his old battered leather jacket. Perfect. The last time he wore it was the best night of his life. He wondered if Heidi would recognise it.

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