Page 42 of An Unholy Affair
‘I’m paying.’
Her hand fluttered to her chest and her eyes widened. ‘You can’t do that!’
‘Why not?’
‘Because, er…’ She glanced around the room as if hoping to land on the perfect excuse.
‘Eveline, when was the last time someone did something for you that made your life better?’
Her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
There was a loud banging on the back door.
‘Are you in?’ Estelle yelled from outside. ‘It’s me, your BFF.’
Jack strode out of the kitchen before Eveline and yanked open the back door.
‘Hey Jack!’ Estelle said, before pausing at his expression. ‘What the fuck’s happened now? Is Eveline okay?’
‘Yeah, she’s dandy. Just a fucked-up arm, no hot water or heating, and no help from any of the leeching wankers who seem to use this place as a free café.’
Estelle held up her hands. ‘Woah! And am I one of these “leeching wankers”?’
He deflated. ‘Sorry, Stelle. No, not you.’
She looked over his shoulder at Eveline. ‘What have you done? Why didn’t you ring me?’
‘I didn’t want you to worry.’
Estelle pushed past him. ‘And your boiler’s gone? Did you ring Finn?’
Eveline shook her head. ‘I didn’t want to disturb his weekend.’
‘What the fuck? Look, come and stay with me in the livery. Or if you need to be close to the church, stay at the Manor. As long as you don’t count my family, everything’s functional there.’
Eveline went back towards the kitchen. ‘I’ll be fine here.’
‘See?’ Jack said to Estelle as they followed her.
Entering the room, he watched Estelle take in the dirty mugs and plates. He caught her eye and mouthed ‘leaching wankers’ at her.
She rolled her eyes in return and turned to Eveline. ‘Love, please sit down. Jack’s got his sleeves rolled up, which means he’s either going to fight or do the dishes. He’s not going to try to punch me ’cos he knows I’d deck him, so let him wash up and you can tell me what you’ve done to your arm.’
Estelle sat Eveline down, and Jack put the kettle on. As soon as it had boiled, he started carefully dealing with the piles of dishes and listened to the two women chatting. He grinned as Estelle sounded off. She was indignant that Eveline hadn’t called her, and more vocally pissy than he’d been about the lack of support she’d got from her congregation.
‘I take it my parents don’t yet know?’ Estelle asked.
Jack looked over his shoulder to see Eveline shaking her head.
‘Thought not. You know they’d be over here like a shot trying to help.’
‘Please Estelle, I’ll be fine.’
Jack could see Eveline’s lower lip beginning to wobble.Oh fuck.
Estelle leapt out of her chair and carefully hugged her.
‘I’m sorry, sweetheart. Are we haranguing you? It’s only because we love you. Well, I love you. I can’t speak for Jack. He’s only known you a few days. But hey! Love at first sight and all that?’
