Page 74 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

‘You’re out of hospital.’ Why had she said that? Of course he was. He wouldn’t be standing in front of her if he wasn’t.

Jackson nodded. ‘Evie volunteers at the hospital. That’s why she was there. That’s how she knew I was there too.’

She let out a sharp laugh. ‘Ha, Evie volunteering. Now I know you’ve got something to hide.’

‘It’s true. And I was on the way to see?—’

She held her hand up as she heard Tammy’s and Toby’s voices coming closer. ‘I have everyone round.’

‘Jackson! I’ve just won Snakes & Ladders.’ Tammy peered out from the sitting-room door.

‘Oh wow. Well done.’ Jackson looked back at Laura.

‘Please leave. I can’t get through another afternoon of pretending nothing has happened between us, especially after yesterday.’ Looking down, she used the pads of her thumbs to dry her eyes.

‘Laura, please?’

‘I’m sorry.’ Closing the door in his face, she turned her back to the twins.

‘Come play with us, Auntie Laura.’ Tammy slipped her hand inside Laura’s and pulled her towards the sitting room.

Making sure to wipe her eyes with the back of her hand, Laura plastered a smile on her face again, trying desperately to bury the confused emotions inside her as Tammy pulled her through the doorway. Whatever Jackson had done, she still loved him and that was a feeling which wasn’t going to disappear any time soon. And she so desperately wanted to believe him about Evie volunteering at the hospital, but she just couldn’t think straight. Not with everyone here. Maybe once they’d left she’d be able to ring the hospital and find out if he was telling the truth. She sighed. If she had to do that – ask the hospital rather than believing Jackson – they wouldn’t work as a couple anyway. What was a relationship without trust? She just didn’t know what to think anymore.

‘Who was it, sweetheart?’ Her mum twisted on the sofa to look at her.

‘No one.’ Laura lowered herself to the floor next to the coffee table and the game of Snakes & Ladders.

‘You can be the yellow one. Mummy says it’s your favourite colour.’

‘Thanks.’ Laura blinked and tried to focus on the game board.

‘Jackson! So pleased you could join us.’ Her dad’s voice boomed above the chatter and laughter in the room.

Toby bounded into the room, sporting a large grin. ‘I’m a big boy now, I opened the door to Jackson.’

Jerking her head up, Laura’s heart sank. She really didn’t know how she was going to cope with him here, but what else was she supposed to do? Yell at him and tell him to leave? That would just result in questions she knew neither of them wanted to answer.

Hovering in the doorway, Jackson held his hand up in greeting.

‘You’re hurt! What happened, love?’ Standing up, her mum hurried across to him.

‘It’s nothing. I’m fine.’ Jackson dismissed her concern and looked towards Laura.

‘Thanks for standing me up yesterday afternoon.’ Richie jiggled Ava on his knee and indicated Jackson’s dressing. ‘I hope that wasn’t the reason why?’

‘Yes, it was, mate. Sorry. I was in a car accident.’ He held his hand up, palm forward, as the noise suddenly increased, with her mum, Jenny and Richie asking what happened and if he was okay. ‘I’m fine, really, but that’s not the reason I’m here. The reason I’ve come round, uninvited, is to tell you all why I was travelling down to see you, Richie.’

‘I thought we were going for a beer and a catch-up.’ Richie frowned.

‘No.’ Jackson cleared his throat. ‘I was coming to tell you that I’ve fallen in love.’

‘Are you sure you’re okay? That bump on the head…’ Jenny reached up to her own forehead.

Laura froze, her breath caught in her throat, the yellow counter in her hand. Was he going to do, say, what she thought he was?

‘I wanted to tell you all, we both did…’ He caught Laura’s eye. ‘…when we came for the roast dinner, but I chickened out and it’s my deepest regret, as I’m pretty sure I’ve messed up the best thing to happen to me.’

‘Jackson, bud, come and sit down. You’re making no sense.’ Richie shifted along the sofa, making room for him.

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