Page 31 of An Unholy Affair
‘I’m fine. Really.’
Butshewasn’t. Jack had been so kind and helpful, and she wanted to do something for him.You just want to show off… Ignoring her thoughts, Eveline took a blue and white striped pinny from the back of the door and tied it over her dress.
‘Bacon sandwich?’
He paused. ‘Your favourite food.’
He remembered. She nodded. ‘I know it’s immodest to say so, but they really are the best.’
His hand covered his flat stomach as it gurgled. ‘Excuse me.’
She grinned. ‘I think your tummy just accepted my offer.’
‘Are yousureyou have time?’
‘Yes, thanks to you, I do. Please sit and I’ll make it for you.’
He ignored her and took the dirty mixing bowl to the sink. ‘I’ll deal with these first. Have you got any more washing-up liquid?’
Huh?Confused, she glanced at the empty bottle. It had been nearly full an hour ago.
‘You usedallof it?’
‘Yeah… I wanted to do a good job, and the water didn’t seem hot enough.’
‘Oh, yes. The boiler’s on the blink again.’ She went to the draining rack. The pile of crockery was glistening with soap. ‘Jack… Did you rinse these?’
‘Did I need to?’
She lifted a china cup. ‘Oh dear.’
He sighed. ‘I’ll redo them.’
Biting her tongue, she removed the metal pan scourer from the back of the sink, taking it to the other side of the kitchen.
‘Don’t I need that?’ he asked.
Embarrassed heat moved across her face. ‘It’s best not to use that with the crockery.’
‘Why not?’
‘Um, well, unfortunately you’ve removed most of the pattern.’
‘What?’ He picked up a cup. ‘Fuck! Eveline, I’ll replace them.’
‘It’s okay, honestly. If you’re not used to washing up, then you weren’t to know.’
‘Where did you get them from?’
Opening a cupboard, she brought out an unopened bottle of dish soap. ‘They came with the house.’
He huffed. ‘So, they’re antique.’
‘They’reold. They’re too chipped to be of any real value, I’m sure.’
‘I’ll make this right.’
‘It’s fine. If you could just rinse what you washed earlier and use the soft cloth from now on, then we’re all good.’
