Page 75 of An Unholy Affair
He stared at the floor and shook his head. ‘It should never have happened.’
Confusion and disappointment swirled inside her, creating a cocktail of grief.
‘Why not? What’s wrong with me?’
His head shot up. ‘Fuck! Eveline, there’snothingwrong with you.’
‘Then what’s the problem? Please, Jack. Help me understand.’
He shook his head. ‘I’m the problem. I’m sorry, Eveline, but nothing can ever happen between us.’
He didn’t wait for her to reply, but turned and fled.
She listened to his footsteps running down the stairs, then the sound of the back door.
God, please tell me what’s going on?
16
Jack: Eveline said she rang you before me this afternoon after she got locked in the bathroom. She probably didn’t mention the boiler’s packed in again and the electric shower blew up. I’d put one in if I knew how to do it without killing myself, so that leaves you. Can you help?
Finn: Who am I? Bob the fucking builder? It’ll have to be much later. I’m flat out today.
Jack: Thanks, mate. Add it to my bill.
Finn: Will do. Anything else you need whilst I’m at it?
Jack: Can you fix the bathroom door and find a plumber who knows his shit? If the boiler needs replacing, I’ll pay.
Finn: Anything else? Redo the entire electrics? Chuck in underfloor heating? Nice extension out the back?
Jack: Ha ha.
Finn: You really want to pay for all this? A new boiler could be a few grand. The church should cough up for it.
Jack: I don’t give a fuck about the money. Eveline shouldn’t have to live in a place that’s falling apart.
Finn: Is there something I need to know?
Jack: Yeah. If you’ve got time, can you check out the pigpen? They got out again.
Finn: About you and Eveline, dipshit.
Jack: Nothing’s happening and nothing’s ever going to happen.
Finn: Ah… This explains the back door.
Jack: Fuck off.
Finn: Does she know you fancy her?
Jack: Don’t say anything.
Finn: You do know she rang me before you this afternoon?
Jack: Well aware.
Finn: Look, without meaning to sound like a dickhead, you need to stay well clear. Vicar stuff aside, she’s the nicest of people and wants a husband, not a player. You can’t fuck and run.
