Page 63 of An Unholy Affair
‘No.’
He held his hands out, palms up, as if presenting a self-evident truth. ‘You partied hard, but that doesn’t qualify you as an alcoholic. And look at you now. You’re a vicar. You’re literally perfect.’
Eveline knew that behind his belligerence, Jack was afraid. Getting into an argument about what constituted alcohol abuse wasn’t going to help him, so she took a different approach.
‘I’m far from perfect, Jack.’
He ran his hands through his hair. ‘Didn’t you just say, not ten minutes ago, thatIwas perfect?’
‘Yes, I did. I believe we are all perfect in God’s eyes, but that’s not the same perfect that you mean.’
He raised his head to the ceiling and let out a strangled cry of frustration, then closed his eyes and exhaled a long breath.
‘Eveline, I’m sorry.’ He looked at her. ‘I’m being a twat, and I apologise unreservedly.’ He pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘Dad dying, coming back to Foxbrooke, seeing y—’ He dropped his hand to the table. ‘I’m sorry.’
She tentatively touched his arm. ‘I understand. These times are unbelievably stressful. It won’t go away after the funeral, but it will get easier. Do you want to go through everything now? Would that help?’
He nodded.
After Jack left,Eveline thought about how different her family was to his. Her upbringing hadn’t been ideal, but she knew she was loved.
God, I know I keep saying this, but I must make more of an effort to keep in touch. Especially considering how busy they are.
Taking out her phone, she rang her mother in Germany.
‘Eveline, darling! How lovely to hear from you! How are you?’
‘Hey, Mum! Yeah, I’m doing great. Still battling to get rid of the pews, but I’ve found someone to help with the mural for Foxbrooke Haven.’
‘Mural? In the church?’
‘No, it’s at the assisted living home at the edge of the village.’
‘An old people’s home? Why are you getting involved with something like that? I don’t remember you being particularly arty as a child.’
‘It’s a project for the residents to get involved in and to talk about events they remember over the years.’
‘Oh. Well, that sounds very nice. I remember an artist coming into Eleanor and Abigail’s junior school and doing a mural in the assembly hall. Abigail helped paint an elephant. It was brilliant, of course, but then she’s always been very advanced for her age, as you know. Eleanor too.’
‘Hmm.’
‘Ooh! Darling, speaking of the girls, there’s been so much news! They came home last weekend with Klaus and Pietro. You remember me telling you about their handsome boyfriends?’
‘Er—’
‘Klaus is a third-year medic in Munich and wants to go into anaesthesiology. Only the most intelligent specialise in that. Did you know he has to be able to fix the machine that keeps people alive?’
‘No, I didn’t.’
‘Frightfully clever. Hugh approves, which is good. He also likes Abigail’s boyfriend, Pietro. I’ve told you about him, surely?’
‘Yes, you have. He’s a lawyer from Milan, and met Abi at a charity event in The Hague.’
‘That’s him. Anyway, Pietro took Hugh aside and asked for his permission to propose! Isn’t that exciting!’
‘Wow! I mean, yes! Wonderful news.’
‘Twenty-two does seem a bit young nowadays, but I was married and had you by that age. And Pietro is from the north of Italy, so quite progressive. He totally supports Abigail’s career, which is reassuring seeing how far she’s going to go.’
