Page 139 of An Unholy Affair
‘What are you doing?’ Eveline asked.
‘Seeing if Finn can fit new locks today. If he can’t, then I’ll try to do it myself and sack off setting up the ball.’
She looked wretched. ‘You’re already late going over there, aren’t you? Please, just go. Honestly, I’ll be fine. Now he’s made his complaint, he won’t come back.’
‘Eveline, you don’t know that! The man’s a vindictive little shit! I know you’re self-reliant and incredible and used to doing everything on your own, but he’s still physically stronger than you, and you can’t predict his behaviour. Please, I need to know you’re alright.’
‘I’m okay, I am!’ She rubbed the bandage on her arm. ‘I’m off to the church now, anyway. Then Estelle is coming around and we’re going to get ready together. We’ll see you at the Manor, later?’
He took a deep breath and held it. He trusted Estelle completely, not only as a friend to Eveline, but also as someone able and willing to punch Simon out cold.
‘Okay,’ he managed. ‘But I’m walking you over to the church.’
They crossedthe short distance from the rectory to the church in silence. Entering the building, Jack remembered meeting Kieran for the first time, setting up the AA meeting. He had yet to tell Eveline that he’d started the twelve-step programme. It felt like another personal failure, and he wasn’t ready to go there yet.
By the time Jack had searched the whole of the church, two of Eveline’s female parishioners had arrived, putting a stop to any personal conversations.
‘I’ll see you at the ball later?’ he asked her.
‘Ooh, Eveline, are you going tonight?’ one woman asked.
‘Of course she is. She’s going with Lady Foxbrooke,’ the other replied. ‘They’re BFFs.’
‘What’s a BFF?’
Jack nodded at Eveline and left them to it.
Outside the church,Jack went to the Manor via the dilapidated church hall and stopped to take a closer look. The roof wasn’t clearly visible, but through the dirty windows, he spotted buckets set up with towels around them. Those towels were from Eveline’s house. Was this yet another job she had to keep track of?
His phone pinged with a message.
Finn: Foxbrooke’s fourth emergency service here. I’m on it. I’ll let you know when it’s done.
Jack: Thanks mate, I really appreciate it. You coming to the ball later?
Finn: I’d rather sandwich my nuts in a waffle iron.
Jack: Whatever floats your boat on a Saturday night.
Finn: Anything’s better than having to tidy my beard, then dress up like a penguin. You going to tell me what’s going on with Eveline?
Jack: You free Sunday?
Finn: Only if you don’t press-gang me again into assisting your lady love.
Jack: I’ll let you have one day off.
Finn: You’re too kind. Now fuck off and let me buy some new locks.
Jack. Will do. Don’t forget to bill me.
Finn: Oh, I won’t. You’re turning into a right little earner.
Jack smiled at his phone and turned towards the Manor. Now that changing Eveline’s locks was in hand, he could focus on making sure the ball went off without a hitch. Everything else could wait until tomorrow.
29
‘You have to wear the red one,’ Estelle said. ‘It’s your favourite colour.’
