Page 55 of Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop
Jack eyes flicker towards his legs.
‘Oh, I get it! Are you saying that because you’re in a wheelchair I wouldn’t have looked twice at you? How shallow do you think I am? That’s lovely, that is.’
‘Kate, I’ve seen it too many times before, I’m afraid.’
‘You’re judging me by the standards of others – that’s not fair.’
‘I’m simply judging you by what I’m used to.’
I glare at him. We’re still sitting next to each other in front of the easel, and as we stare challengingly into each other’s eyes, something strange happens. I suddenly feel something shoot through me, not a bolt of lightning or anything dramatic like that, more a sense of daring.
So, Jack thinks I’m prim and proper, does he, like Clara? I’ll show him!
Before I change my mind I lean forwards and kiss Jack firmly on the lips, pausing just long enough there so he’s in no doubt whatsoever of my intentions. When I sit back in my chair again Jack is still staring at me like he was before, but his expression is much more shock now than defiance.
‘Didn’t expect that, did you?’ I ask, not feeling in the least bit regretful of my actions.
‘No, I certainly didn’t.’
‘Never judge me by the standards of others,’ I tell him. ‘I’m my own person. I make my own choices in life.’
Jack smiles at me. ‘I’d say that was one of your better choices. Want to try it again?’
‘I might … one day.’ I tease, loving the sense of liberation I suddenly feel.
‘Then I’ll look forward to that day,’ Jack says. ‘Withgreatanticipation.’
Nineteen
‘You seem happy this morning, Mum?’ Molly says as she helps me unpack a box of my own creations for the shop. They’re a new line of fabric phone cases that I’ve designed and that Jenny, one of the ladies who sews for me, has recently made up.
It’s Saturday, and Molly is covering for Sebastian who has an emergency dental appointment. ‘What’s happened?’ she asks knowingly. ‘I can tell by your face something has.’
‘Nothing has happened,’ I fib. Something has happened, of course – I’ve kissed Jack – and even now I can still feel the very pleasant sensation on my lips when I think about last night.
After we’d kissed the atmosphere had definitely shifted between us. There was a new frisson of excitement simply being in each other’s presence, which we’d both strangely ignored, talking about anything other than what had just happened. We’d discussed Clara and Arty, the pictures and what Lou had told me about St Felix.
At the end of the evening, when it had been time to leave, I’d simply leant down and kissed Jack on the cheek this time, and told him I’d see him soon.
‘Hmm…’ Molly says, bringing me back to the present. ‘I do know you, Mum. I know when you’re hiding something.’
‘I’m not hiding anything … honestly. When is Chesney calling for you?’ I ask, changing the subject.
‘In about ten minutes,’ Molly says, looking at her watch.
‘How’s it going?’ I ask casually, knowing Molly will likely be as keen to talk to me about her romantic life as I am to her about mine.
‘Okay, thanks,’ she says, rummaging about in the box again.
‘You seem to be getting on very well,’ I say cautiously. ‘You’re always texting him.’
‘He texts me a lot,’ Molly answers, neatening the pile she’s placed on the shelf. ‘I’m just replying.’
‘Oh, I see. That’s nice though – it shows he’s keen.’
‘Yeah, I guess,’ she says, lifting another packet of colourful fabric from the box. ‘I’m not going to moan about a boyfriend that’s keen. Most of my friends say I’m lucky. The only boyfriends they’ve ever had can barely be bothered to text – they usually have to make all the effort.’
I definitely wouldn’t use the word ‘lucky’ to describe her friendship with Chesney. He was far too cocky and sure of himself for my liking, but sensibly I don’t say anything.
