Page 69 of Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop
‘I thought you were getting along fine? You’re always down the pub. I assumed you’d met people there.’
‘I am not always down the pub!’ Jack says, looking aghast. ‘Just because you saw me down there the other night when you were on your date doesn’t mean I’m always there.’
‘I wasnoton a date,’ I insist. I’m aware our voices are rising, but as we both try to match each other’s accusations it seems somehow necessary. ‘I was simply having dinner with a friend, you know that. We weren’t even supposed to be in The Merry Mermaid – we were going to The Lobster Pot, but they lost their power that night and had to close.’
‘Ooh, The Lobster Pot – fancy! I should have known the local hostelry wouldn’t have been good enough for Julian James.’
I stare at Jack. Why was he being like this?
‘Do you know anything about Julian? You can’t know enough to make comments like that.’
‘I know,’ Jack says firmly. ‘I’ve asked around.’
‘You’ve asked around! Why would you do that?’
‘It doesn’t matter now,’ Jack says, turning away from me.
‘Oh, I think it does matter—’ I begin.
Jack shushes me. ‘Is this the estate agent guy?’ he whispers, as a young man in a blue suit comes through the gate.
‘Probably,’ I reply sulkily.
‘You keep up that tone,’ Jack says, ignoring my scowl, ‘and he’ll definitely believe we’re a married couple.’
‘Jackson Goldsmith,’ the agent says, holding his hand out as he approaches us. ‘Pleased to meet you both.’
‘Hi,’ I say, holding my hand out first. ‘I’m Fiona, and this is my husbandTrevor,’ I say, gesturing to Jack.
‘Hello, Trevor,’ Jackson says, and I notice his voice changes as he speaks to Jack. ‘I didn’t know you were in a wheelchair?’
Jack picks up his change of tone immediately.
‘Oh!’ Jack says, looking down at his chair in surprise. ‘So I am. I hadn’t realised. Thanks for pointing that out for me.’
Jackson looks uneasily back at him.
‘Don’t worry, mate. Just my idea of a joke.’
‘Ah, yes,’ Jackson says, recovering his estate agent patter. ‘Good to see you still have a sense of humour.’
‘Why wouldn’t I have a sense of humour?’ Jack can’t help himself, and I can’t say I blame him. ‘Do you think it got taken away with my legs?’
‘No, no, of course not. I mean it must be very … challenging for you being in a wheelchair. Easy to lose sight of the lighter side of life.’
‘Hmm,’ Jack says, in a kind of growl.
‘Shall we go in?’ I suggest brightly.
‘Yes,’ Jackson agrees with relief. ‘A wonderful idea. Let’s do that.’
As Jackson moves forwards to unlock the door I flash my eyes warningly at Jack.
‘What?’ he mouths silently. ‘It’s him.’ He points to Jackson.
‘All ready?’ Jackson asks, turning around.
I beam at him. ‘Yes, please.’
