Page 50 of Stolen Kiss

“Mum,” Heidi said.

Her mum came closer, wrapped in a long cardy that passed her knees. Her slacks she’d worn to lunch were replaced with velour lounge wear. Heidi smiled at the memory of when her mother discovered lounge wear. She’d thought she’d died and gone to heaven. And this was a lady who was an adult through the nineteen-seventies.

Then her mum cupped her cheeks. She meant business.

“Look, I’m not pushing you into anything but he’s serious about you. I can feel it, I can see and I can hear it in his voice when he talks to you. I don’t know what happened all those yearsago but whatever it was not only changed you but it changed Keith. I’m just glad that you’re smiling. I don’t think Keith knows how to smile as all he does is scowl. Let’s get you happy and then I can try to coax a smile out of my son.”

“I thought it was simple, but it seems so complicated. Keith is suffering from amnesia and Jason has a different view point on what happened.”

Heidi was confessing, her mum was always understanding and rarely put her agenda out there. That was Freya’s job.

“You’ll figure it out, I know you will. Trust your heart, darling.”

Heidi’s mum brought her into a cuddle and she was in danger of bursting into tears. She so desperately wanted a chance with Jason again but didn’t know what the truth was. She’d hated how they’d broken up, hated Jason for so long, but as soon as she saw him on the quayside it was like no time had passed.

Jason came back into the room and Heidi plastered on a smile.

“I comprised the best I could,” Jason said with a lopsided grin.

“Every other day?” Heidi said.

“Every Sunday. Apparently if I don’t come, then you’re not welcome either,” Jason said to Heidi. His smile was soft as was his eyes.

“What did the bidding start at?” Heidi’s mum asked.

“He wanted me here every morning.”

“You did well, Jason. Well done,” she said patting his arm and nodding sagely.

“Mum,” Heidi said, knowing her voice was almost at a whine.

“He makes good potatoes. And you dad knows how to manipulate you to get them made. He played you via him,” her mother said thumbing Jason.

Heidi heard a cackle from the living room that she knew wasn’t from what he was watching on the TV.

“Come on, we better go and rescue the horses,” Heidi said.

“I’ll take them back, you stay here with your folks.”

“Won’t you stay for a cup of tea, Jason?” Her mum asked.

“Better get the horses back. I don’t want to keep them out too long and its getting dark. The stable guys will want to get home for their dinners.”

“Well, feel free to ignore my husband. I’m sure you’re really busy getting ready to launch the business and the last thing you need is to placate his need for potatoes.”

“It’s not a problem for me. I love cooking and it’s much better when the recipients are happy.”

“I’ll walk you to the path,” Heidi said.

Jason said his goodbyes to her parents and took her hand as soon as they were outside.

“I want to speak to my brother,” Heidi said.

“Me too.”

“Should we do it together?”

“I’d like to have a chat with him on my own first. Then the three of us can have a sit down.”

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