Page 47 of The Princess Sister Swap

No, he would have got no backup or sense checking from Lily. It had always been down to him where the girls were concerned. So why was he suddenly feeling so lonely—and second-guessing himself? Maybe it was because Tansy was entering those dangerous tween and teen years and he of all people knew how important stability was around then, especially for those whose early years had been the opposite. His childhood had, despite his mother’s best endeavours, been difficult and his early teen years full of trouble and mischief; he’d come very close to getting a criminal record. But then again Lily had had everything and she had thought herself invincible, had adored the thrill of danger. That was why she had taken up with him after all—there was nothing as rebellious as dating the village bad boy. Getting pregnant and marrying him had been the ultimate rejection of all her parents’ hopes for her.

Lily had loved her girls—but she’d been impulsive and heedless, and Tansy especially had been painfully aware of how mercurial her mother could be. Her death had obviously compounded Tansy’s insecurity and, although she was less than enthusiastic about the move, part of his motivation for returning to Cornwall was to try and centre her somewhere less frantic and fast paced than the big city.

‘Come on, girls,’ he said for the twentieth time that day. The words were fast becoming his catchphrase, maybe he should get them tattooed on his forehead. As usual they had little effect as Clover dawdled behind in a world of her own, Tansy walking in the middle, looking most put upon. But, to be fair, he knew that a business meeting was not their idea of a fun afternoon out, even if itwasin a theatre.

Of course, he could have taken Rosy up on her offer to watch them sometimes. It had clearly been genuinely meant. She seemed to like the girls and, more importantly, they clearly liked her. But he’d been reluctant to get back in touch with her after the evening they’d spent together. Not because he hadn’t enjoyed it. In fact, quite the opposite. The whole evening had gone smoothly, with conversation and laughter flowing easily. She fitted in with them, almost too well, and by the end of dinner the girls were acting as if they’d known her all their lives. But theydidn’tknow her. He had no real idea where she was from, what she did or how long she would stay. And the last point was crucial. Clover was predisposed to like everybody, but his eldest was a different matter and Rosy and she seemed to have connected. He hadn’t heard Tansy chat so much or laugh so much or volunteer so much information in a long time. Which was why he hadn’t dared ask Rosy to watch then—she was only here for the summer. He couldn’t risk his girls getting too attached.

Or himself. The attraction he felt had just intensified with the time they’d spent together but he couldn’t allow himself the indulgence of a fling.

‘Rosy!’

Jack looked up in surprise as Clover’s cry interrupted his thoughts. There, as if he’d summoned her by thought alone, was Rosy, casually dressed in jeans, a turquoise T-shirt and a long grey cardigan, but yet again something about the way she wore the simple outfit elevated it to a high fashion statement.

Rosy’s face lit up. ‘Hello, how are you two? I was just thinking about you.’ And then, more quietly, ‘Hi, Jack.’

‘Hi.’ For a moment they both just stood and looked at each other, Jack almost lost in her hazel eyes, a beguiling mix of green and amber, in the warmth of her smile.

‘You were? Why?’ Clover danced up to Rosy and tugged at her hand. ‘Why were you thinking about us?’

‘I had a surfing lesson this morning with Dan, and he said that you are both naturals. Unfortunately, he didn’t say the same about me. Which is very lowering because once upon a time I was not bad at all. Take my advice, girls; don’t stop for years or you’ll lose all your balance and skill.’ She mock sighed and both girls giggled. ‘Where are you off to? Somewhere fun?’

‘We’re going to the theatre,’ Clover told her. ‘Daddy has a boring meeting.’

‘Boring? The theatre? Surely not. There’s a stage and an auditorium, lots of fun places to discover. Do either of you like plays?’

‘I do,’ Tansy said. ‘Drama was my best subject at school. I should have had the lead in the end of term play, but we moved.’ She gulped and blinked rapidly, eyes reddening as Jack stared at her in consternation. He knew that Tansy liked acting but in his haste to leave London he hadn’t even considered the end of term play which was the highlight for year six leavers. But he should have—after all, Tansy had been fixated on starring in it ever since she’d started school.

‘They put on plays in the theatre and local people can be in them,’ Rosy said, to Jack’s relief. ‘That’s where my cousin Clem started and now she’s a professional actress. I’m sure she’d be happy to talk to you about it and give you tips.’

‘Do you really think so?’

‘I know so. She’s always happy to chat acting and plays—and I bet she could introduce you to the community theatre group if your dad didn’t mind.’

‘That would be brilliant.’ All trace of tears had gone as Tansy turned to him. ‘Can I, Dad?’

‘It sounds good, let me look into it.’ He needed to bring the community theatre onside first. The last thing he wanted was for Tansy to be ostracised because of him.

‘Come with us to the theatre?’ Clover asked Rosy and Tansy agreed.

‘Please do, it’ll be a lot more fun if you’re there.’

‘Thanks, girls!’ Jack laid a firm hand on both blonde heads. ‘I’m sure Rosy has better things to do than tag along to my business meeting.’

But Rosy didn’t take the get-out clause he’d handed her. ‘Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d like to come. I haven’t looked around the theatre properly for years. My aunt—Simone Beaumont—the theatre was her pet project. The first time I came here to stay she spent the whole summer writing out grant applications and organising fundraising events. When they reopened it after the renovations the councillor who gave a speech said that she had single-handedly saved it. They were going to demolish it originally. Simone had many causes and projects, but this theatre was her main passion—sometimes I wonder if that’s why Clem took up drama, so her mother could see her on this stage. Simone could be a very busy woman. It was hard to pin her down, but she never missed a single performance.’

Jack shot Rosy a sharp glance, but she was all innocence. Maybe she had no idea of his plans. If not, if he could show her his vision then maybe she would be able to convince her cousin that he was on the village’s side? ‘In that case of course you’re welcome to come along.’

In the end he found that he was relieved to have Rosy with him as he sat down with the PR agency he was considering hiring. Investing in the theatre was so unlike anything he had ever done before. He knew he needed guidance. He was usually the man behind the scenes, the angel investor being wowed not doing the wowing, listening to PR teams not recruiting them. It was important he brief the company well. But as he expanded on his vision he could see the girls and Rosy exploring, hear laughter and chatter coming from all areas before the three ended up on the stage, clearly putting on some kind of mini play, Tansy directing the other two.

Jack paused and watched the antics on stage. It was so good to see Tansy acting her age, he needed to ensure it happened more often. Maybe he should stop worrying about what would happen when Rosy left and take her up on her offer to watch his daughters. It would be good for the girls.

As for him, he might be attracted to her but that didn’t mean he needed to act on it.

Finally, the meeting came to an end and after taking some photos the agency representatives left, leaving Jack alone at the top of the auditorium answering some emails. A slight sound made him look up to see Rosy making her way across the row to join him. The girls were still on stage, volubly discussing who should be standing where.

‘Exhausted by artistic endeavours?’

Dimples flashed. ‘I’m not the actor, that’s Clem. Tansy definitely needs to meet her. That daughter of yours has got some real understanding of staging.’

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