Page 19 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
‘It was a good job, if I remember right,’ said Kate.
Jen shrugged. ‘That wasn’t the point.’
‘What was the point?’ asked Lucy after a long pause. ‘Tell me, because I feel I need to catch up on fifteen years of family history.’
‘The point was…’ Jen tried to remember exactly how she felt fifteen years earlier. It was like trying to recall the actions of a stranger. ‘That he’d shown no signs of loving me. He wasn’t bothered if I went off somewhere without him and with other boys; he wasn’t bothered about whether I went to Australia with him or not. He just… wasn’t bothered.’
‘And you wanted someone who was bothered.’
Jen swirled her drink around her glass and watched it settle before answering. ‘Yes. Ironic really. I got someone who was so bothered I ended up a virtual prisoner.’
‘Hm,’ grunted Lucy, taking a sip of wine. ‘Be careful what you wish for.’
And hadn’t Jen thought the exact same thing over the years? Sam had always wanted her to be free, and she’d thought that had been a sign of indifference. Maybe it had been, maybe it hadn’t; she guessed she’d never know now.
‘Anyway,’ she said quickly, trying to change the subject. ‘He’s the past, and it’s not as if I’m likely to bump into him, is it? Eating out is a luxury I can’t exactly afford these days.’
‘Who said anything about eating out?’ Lucy grinned, her eyes alight with mischief. ‘You need a job, and I have one for you at the café.’
A ripple of apprehension passed through Jen. ‘Thank you, Lucy. I appreciate the thought, but I can’t cook, and I’ve never had a customer service job. I write stories. Full stop. I’d be of no help to you whatsoever.’ Plus, she really didn’t want to risk bumping into Sam, or anyone else from her past who might give her the third degree about why she’d returned home.
‘You’d be loads of help. Come on, it’s not rocket science,’ Lucy answered with an easy shrug. ‘Just steer clear of the kitchen, and you’ll be sweet.’
Jen chuckled despite herself, the idea beginning to take root in her mind. ‘But I’ve no experience.’
‘I’ll teach you everything you need to know. You can start by washing up. My dishwasher is broken at the moment, and we’re still waiting for a part.’
‘Well, it’s true I can do that.’ And it also meant she’d be out of the way of customers — customers like Sam.
‘Great!’ Lucy clapped her hands with satisfaction. ‘You start tomorrow. Just a short shift in the mornings. I don’t want to tire you out,’ Lucy said with a grin.
‘Hang on a minute. I’ve Liam to think about.’
Kate waved her hand dismissively. ‘Don’t worry about Liam. He and I will have a great time until he goes to school.’ Kate raised an eyebrow in question at Jen.
Jen shook her head. ‘I don’t know, Mum.’
‘I think we should discuss it as soon as possible. A family meeting, including Liam. What do you think?’
‘Great idea,’ said Lucy. ‘Anyway, back to Jen. I’m not suggesting full-time, only a four-hour shift in the mornings, if that suits. It’ll get me out of a spot, but it will mean early mornings, I’m afraid. You’ll have the afternoons free though. And if you’d like extra hours, I could always add you to my list of casuals.’
Jen looked from her mother to Lucy and knew she wasn’t going to win. And besides, despite her concerns, she liked the idea. It would be a new beginning. She’d be with her little sister, in her home village. What could go wrong?
‘OK. When do I start?’
‘How does tomorrow sound?’
‘Tomorrow it is,’ Jen echoed, a flutter of anticipation stirring within her. ‘Thanks, Lucy. I appreciate it. In fact, I’d love it.’
When she’d left New Zealand, Lucy had been so much younger, and they hadn’t been close. But now her kid sister was all grown up, and Jen suddenly realised she’d enjoy getting to know her. It seemed there were going to be benefits to returning home she hadn’t considered.
‘Me too,’ said Lucy.
Jen took a mouthful of spaghetti and sat back. ‘Um, I think you could be right, Lucy. This is good.’
Lucy grinned but neither confirmed nor denied. ‘So, what happened today?’ she asked. ‘How did Liam settle in?’
‘He was a delight,’ said Kate. ‘An absolute delight.’
