Page 34 of An Unholy Affair
‘No, she can’t,’ Jack interrupted. ‘I’m afraid I’ve eaten the last of the bread, and Priscilla.’
Eveline fled to the kettle. ‘Can I make you a cup of tea, Simon?’
The timer for the cake went off.
‘What’s in the oven?’ he asked.
Opening the door, she transferred the cakes to cooling racks. ‘It’s for the Parish Council meeting,’ she replied, glancing at Simon over her shoulder. ‘But I’ve got biscuits you can have.’
Simon leaned into Jack’s personal space and reached for the tin. ‘Have you replaced the custard creams that Lady Foxbrooke took?’
Irritation flared inside her. If Simon liked them so much, then why on earth didn’t he bring a packet with him? She glanced at Jack. A muscle was twitching in his jaw.
‘Unfortunately, not yet. I might have time after Evensong, although I’d planned to visit Foxbrooke Haven.’
‘You can drop by the Co-op on the way,’ he replied, selecting a biscuit. ‘Kill two birds with one stone. I’ll accompany you and pay Mother a visit.’ He hung his Barbour jacket over the back of the chair in between hers and Jack’s, and sat, his corduroy-clad legs spread. ‘How did your “exciting date” go last night?’ he continued, his eyes flicking to Jack’s as if wanting a reaction.
Eveline tensed, her fingers gripping the kettle handle as water dribbled in from the tap. She’d forgotten all about Leslie. Stalling, she set the kettle down and switched it on, keeping her back to the table and popping a fresh tea bag in a mug.
‘It was very pleasant, thank you.’
There was another ‘humph’ from Simon behind her. ‘Are you going to be seeing him again?’
No. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut. She couldn’t lie, but equally, she didn’t want to tell Simon how disappointing it was. Or somehow reveal that she was thinking about Jack almost the whole time.
The kettle came to the boil, and she filled Simon’s mug.
‘I’m sure that I’ll see him again at Christian events in the future,’ she managed. ‘But as friends.’
‘Good,’ said Simon emphatically. ‘He wasn’t right for you.’
And how would you know?She added milk to the mug.
‘AndLeslie?’ he continued. ‘What a ridiculous name for a man.’
Eveline turned with a jerk, tea spilling over her hand. ‘How do you know his name?’
Simon gave a stiff shrug. ‘I bumped into him at the end of the night and we had a little chat.’
‘Bumpedinto him?’ Jack asked, his expression scathing.
Simon ignored him.
Placing his drink on the table, Eveline went to the sink to rinse her hand. ‘Simon?’
He sighed loudly. ‘I’m just looking out for you, dear. I have your best interests at heart.’
She took a breath. ‘Si—’
The juddering squeak of the back door opening interrupted her.
‘Only me,’ a voice called out before a woman in her mid-seventies entered the room. ‘Is that cake? Oh, hello Simon.’ She smiled at Jack and extended her arm. ‘Beryl Pope. I’m one of Eveline’s flock. Who are you?’
Jack stood and took her hand, a polite smile on his face. ‘Jack Newton.’
Beryl frowned. Eveline could almost hear the cogs whirring.
‘Beryl—’ she began.
