Page 33 of Finding Jacob
“When are you seeing Jacob next.”
“I don’t know. I’ll call him later. Right now, I need to get some food, then I need to clean up after Jules!”
We grabbed a sandwich and headed into the office. I fielded calls, rearranged diaries, and mostly left Jane to do what I should have been doing.
CHAPTEREIGHT
Nathan and I visited a pub local to where he lived. It was a great place for food, and we dined there regularly. Occasionally, I’d stay in his spare bedroom if we’d had a late night. He’d allowed me to keep some basic toiletries in the en-suite and some PJs.
We hadn’t spoken about work, Jacob, babies, or him during the meal. We’d laughed, he told jokes, we gossiped about people we knew. We had fun, and it was so needed. Once we got back to his house, however, it all changed.
I was snuggled on the sofa in my PJs with a cup of tea and Nathan sat in an armchair opposite. He’d removed his suit jacket and tie, kicked off his shoes, and nursed a whisky.
“So, Jacob’s wife?” I asked, wondering if Nathan had hoped I’d forgotten.
“She was murdered, a long time ago now. Fucked him up for a long time.”
“Wow, I can imagine. How awful for him. Was she very young?”
I sipped on my tea while Nathan told me how Eleanor was the love of his life, childhood sweetheart, and all that. I found my stomach constricting with anxiety. Not that I was expecting anything from Jacob, but could he love again? I didn’t want him to love me, but our child. I had no experience of loss of any magnitude. I didn’t know anyone who had been murdered, either.
“You’re talking as if you knew her,” I said gently. I couldn’t fail to notice how he’d drifted off into a memory, how his voice cracked as he spoke.
He didn’t answer immediately but swallowed hard instead.
“It’s okay, I don’t need to know. Just being nosy,” I added.
“She was my sister, my twin. I lost my other half that day, as well.”
He didn’t look at me when he spoke, just into the bottom of his glass. If the chair was large enough, I’d have sat beside him and wrapped my arms around him. He looked forlorn.
“Oh God, Nathan. I’m so sorry I spoke. Jesus, I’m not sure what to say.”
Finally, he looked over to me and smiled. “It was a long time ago. Back to you...”
I chuckled knowing that meantchange the subject.“I have texted Jacob, just to say thank you for the meal and whatnot—”
“Whatnot?”
“The helicopter ride, loan of his clothing, that kind of thing! What did you think I meant?” I asked, joking. “It’s my sister’s wedding next week, so I’m guessing I’ll see him then.”
“When are you going to tell him about the baby?”
“After. I don’t want to do it before, or during, obviously. I think we’ll leave early. I don’t really want to listen to a bunch of old aunts telling me how wonderful the couple looks.”
Nathan laughed. “Want me on standby?”
“No, in fact, I want you to come to give the old aunts a heart attack, I could have both of you either side of me. Tell them I can’t choose which one.” I laughed at the thought.
“I’ll pass, thank you. Weddings are not my thing, as you know.”
“I wish you’d find a lovely woman to settle down with. I know loads of women who would jump at the chance of a date with you.”
“I don’t wantloads of women, Anna. But thanks, anyway. I think I’ll turn in now. I’ve enjoyed spending some time off the clock, as they say, with you.”
“We don’t do it nearly enough. Help me up?”
“You’re not that fat yet, and your legs still work, don’t they?”
