Page 72 of Stolen Kiss

“You’re welcome anytime. If you fancy making walnut cake, I won’t say no.”

“Will do,” Jason replied smiling. Thinking he had started forming a list of cakes to make.

Pushing open the door to the jewellers, he headed towards Mrs Diamond. She wore a big grin and lifted a ring box from under the counter to sit in the middle of the glass top.

“How did you know?” Jason said.

“I knew you’d be coming as soon as you yelled at Keith that you loved her. You then changed it in the next sentence and saidyou love her. If that isn’t a declaration of marriage I don’t know what is.”

“I’m guessing everyone knows now.”

“Yes, you would presume correctly, but what does it matter if you both love each other. They’ll have nothing to gossip about as soon as Keith’s black eye goes away.”

“It’s not my proudest moment, Mrs Diamond.”

“Probably not but he wasn’t very nice to you. I don’t condone that level of violence but I can sympathise of why you snapped. If anyone spoke to me about my friend, then I’ve had a few terse words to say about it too.”

Jason smiled at Mrs Diamond and nodded. “Do you mind if I look? I haven’t seen it for eleven years.”

“It’s yours, bought and paid for.”

He flipped open the lid, stroked the diamond ring that was so small it could almost be called a chip and then closed the lid. Back then he couldn’t afford very much but he spent all his money on the biggest ring Mrs Diamond had. It was no match for the one he chose from the Turner rings but much more Heidi’s style.

“Thank you for keeping it safe.”

Mrs Diamond smiled and gave him the paperwork.

“See you soon, Jason. You’ll need wedding rings soon, right?”

Jason barked out a laugh. “Yes, fingers crossed she’ll say yes.”

“She will.”

Jason didn’t have the same optimism, but he didn’t let it show.

Leaving the jewellers, he made his way back to the buggy and then back up to his cottage.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Heidi

Pacing the floor in her tiny living room, Heidi chewed on her thumb while looking at her phone. She had the number on display and all she needed to do was hitcall.

More pacing and then she pressed the green button.

“Hey, Erica?”

Heidi laughed and then ploughed on. “Freya and I are going to The Anchor tonight. Would you want to come with us?”

Heidi chewed on her thumb some more and gasped.

“You will? That’s great. Get Archer to drop you off at my place at eight and eat before you come. We’re going to get drunk.”

Smiling through her giggle, Heidi was so happy Erica was whooping with delight, shouting to Archer that she was invited out with the girls.

Heidi hung up and sent Freya a text they were on for a night out.

Two hours later they were huddled in a corner at The Anchor. People stared and nodded their way while talking to their mates.

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