Page 27 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

‘Can I have a quick word?’ Ms Taunton glared at Laura. ‘In private?’

‘Oh, sure. I need to get back, anyway,’ Laura mumbled.

‘No, I?—’

Jackson’s voice was lost as the other woman began speaking again. ‘Thank you.’

Turning, Laura began walking down the street. Evie? Ms Taunton’s name was Evie? But Evie was such a pretty name. Not that Ms Taunton – Evie Taunton – wasn’t pretty, she was. Stunningly so. But she was also harsh, and from what Laura could see, unless she was around Jackson, she was… sour. That was the only word Laura could think of. In all of her dealings with her – the viewing, the negotiations, even when she met her to collect the key – Evie Taunton had never once cracked a smile or even shown any hint of humanity towards her at all. She had never even offered her first name, instead referring to herself as Ms Taunton.

Taking her gloves from her pocket, Laura pulled them on as she turned down Wisteria Lane. She could see the willow tree in her garden from here.

And ‘Jacks’? Ms Taunton had called him ‘Jacks’? Jackson had always been Jackson. No nickname had ever stuck with him, and Laura and her siblings had tried a few.

‘Hey, hold up.’

Turning, she paused as Jackson jogged towards her.

‘You survived then?’

‘Survived?’ Slowing down to a walk, Jackson fell in step with Laura as she continued along the path.

‘Ms Taunton. She didn’t attempt to kidnap you and take her back to her evil lair.’ She rubbed her gloved hands together. It somehow felt colder here in the Cotswolds than it had back home. Maybe it was because Meadowfield was a village. Was that a thing? Less pollution. More chill factor?

‘Haha, Evie’s not so bad when you get to know her.’ Jackson chuckled.

‘And it seems you know her very well.Jacks.’ Laura gave him a sidelong look, her eyebrows raised.

‘You got me.’ He held his hands in the air, palms towards her. ‘We were actually together a while back.’

Laura opened and closed her mouth, unsure if he was being serious or pulling a stunt. ‘Together as in together, together? Like a couple? You and her?’

‘Yes. Why is that so hard to believe?’

‘For so many reasons.’ Laura took a deep breath in, trying to picture him and the sour estate agent together. As a couple. ‘One, you’ve only just moved to Meadowfield and you’re telling me you had a relationship with her “a while back”? I’m assuming it was a very quick relationship…?’

‘No, no. We were together seven months, actually.’

‘Sevenmonths? How?’

‘She’s sold me a few houses now. Yes, I’ve only recently moved to Meadowfield, but I’ve been flipping properties around here in the Cotswolds for a couple of years. Ever since Angie and I broke up, actually.’

‘Right. She’s sold you a few houses? Oh, you didn’t move to Meadowfield to be closer to her, did you?’ Did she really want to know the answer?

‘No! No, I didn’t. The house I’m refurbing now was a steal. Nothing more, nothing less. Besides, our relationship was over well before I bought that place.’

‘She wanted you close so she could reignite the relationship.’ Laura nodded. That made sense. ‘She helped you get the house at a good price so she could try to move in on you again.’

‘What? No!’

‘Yes.’

‘Absolutely not! We’re nothing more than friends now.’ Jackson set his jaw, his expression serious.

‘Or that’s what you think.’ She was right. She knew she was, even if Jackson couldn’t see it.

‘Ha, it’s what I think because it’s true.’ He walked closer to her and nudged her with his arm, causing her to step to the side before he pulled her back to him.

‘Uh-huh. I’ll rephrase that statement then.’ Linking her arm through his, she leaned up towards his ear and stage-whispered, ‘She still has a crush on you.’

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