Page 45 of An Unholy Affair
‘Would you behave?’
‘I’m offended you would even ask such a thing. Of course I would not.’
Jack grinned. ‘Then I’m afraid to say it’s a big fat “non”.’
‘Pah! English pig dog! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!’
He snorted. ‘Once again, I regret showing youThe Holy Grail.’
Cyrille giggled. ‘I fart in your general direction!’
Jack rolled his eyes. ‘Yes, yes, are you going to help me or not?’
There was a theatrical sigh on the other end of the line. ‘Only because I have a soft spot for you, mon petit putain.’
Jack scrawlednotes as Cyrille talked, then let his friend go when there were more yawns than words coming down the line. Putting down his pad and pen, he went to the kitchen. Even though Eveline had said there was no alcohol in the house, he still searched the cupboards. He needed something to take the edge off after Cyrille’s crash course in party-planning.
Coming up empty, Jack checked the time—not long before Eveline was due back. He did the dishes, careful to do a good job, then took a couple of rashers of bacon from the fridge. When was the last time anyone had cooked for her?
The smell of sizzling bacon was percolating through the air and making his stomach growl when the front door banged open. He smiled to himself.Perfect timing.
‘Only me!’ Simon called out. ‘Looks like I’ve timed this perfectly. Ha ha ha!’
Jack tightened his grip on the spatula and eyed the bread knife with longing.
‘Can’t believe I missed out last week,’ Simon continued, his voice coming closer. ‘Well, that won’t be happening again any time soon—’ He stopped dead as he entered the kitchen. ‘What on earth areyoudoing here?’
‘I’m working out of the drawing room for a few weeks,’ Jack replied, carefully turning the rashers of bacon.
‘Then you’re going back to France?’
His hand stilled, then he nodded.
‘Well, you can’t just help yourself to the vicar’s food like that.’
‘I’m not. I’m making it for Eveline.’ Jack started buttering two pieces of bread. ‘I thought it might be a helpful thing to do.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘With her injury?’
‘Oh—oh yes. Of course.’
‘And also, because it seems all she does is look after other people. I wondered when was the last time that someone had looked afterher.’
Simon’s red cheeks inflated and his eyeballs protruded until he resembled an annoyed pufferfish. Was this how Jack’s father had gone? In a fit of self-righteous indignation?
‘Now, steady on, boy,’ Simon began.
Boy?
‘I’m back!’ Eveline called. ‘Something smells delicious. I’m so glad you helped yourself.’
Jack continued to stare at Simon, throwing back the daggers that were coming his way and adding some of his own for the return journey.
‘I hope you got on okay with the wi-fi. It can be—oh…’ Entering the kitchen, Eveline glanced between him and Simon.
Jack smiled. ‘I was making this for you, not me. Are you hungry?’
