Page 22 of Happier Days (Family Life in Somerley #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

‘Mum!’ Georgia ran down the hall and into Ava’s arms as soon as she opened the front door. ‘I’ve missed you.’

‘I’ve missed you, too,’ Ava said, truthfully. ‘How have you been?’

‘Well, I got busted on Monday night for a late-night party. One of the neighbours called the police, can you believe that?’

Ava grinned. ‘So you were fine.’

‘I was. It was nice on my own, but I’m glad you’re back. I made lasagne for supper.’

‘You’re not going out?’

‘Nope. Thought I’d stay in this evening with you, if you’re not too tired?’

‘Not at all.’ Ava said that a little less truthfully. She was weary but wanted to spend time with her daughter. Plus give her all the gossip she knew she’d be after.

A message came in on her phone. It was from Jack, and she panicked, thinking she had forgotten to do something.

Hope you got back okay. It seems quiet here without you.

Ava couldn’t help beaming.

I did, thanks. Just catching up with Georgia who made me lasagne. I am impressed.

She waited for him to reply, and when he didn’t, she felt disappointed as she put down her phone. Still, Georgia was holding a wine glass out to her, and she flopped on the settee next to her.

After a meal and a quick catch-up, she’d dropped off. The next day, Ava blamed it on all the fresh air she’d had over the past week. She was meeting Nancy for a coffee at eleven, so with nothing else to do, she headed off.

The Tubes were rammed – well, they weren’t, but it felt as if they were. And there were people everywhere, buildings, traffic. Jack was right. It was all so noisy.

Nancy was waiting for her in the café, waving to get her attention. Ava gave her a hug and sat opposite her.

Nancy leaned forward, resting her elbow on the table and her chin on her hand.

Ava frowned when she said nothing to her. ‘What?’

‘You’re radiant,’ she said. ‘I’m so envious you’ve had a good time.

It’s been a nightmare in the office as usual.

Brendon the bull has been doing his thing – forgetting to give me a job as soon as it came in and then insisting I get it done in double the time.

It would have been doable if he’d told me earlier.

Honestly, I think he’s going through the menopause. He has more brain fog than me.’

‘It’s been novel to be away from my desk, that’s for sure,’ Ava mused. ‘And good to get out in the fresh air. It’s quite cold up there, but I went for lots of walks, resulting in drinking gallons of hot chocolate.’

‘And Jack, how was he?’ Nancy asked pointedly.

Ava beamed: she couldn’t help it.

‘You have a thing – again!’ Nancy cried.

‘No, I don’t!’ She laughed. ‘But it was lovely to see him, and everyone else. So many people remembered me, and the place has changed a lot from what I remember.’

‘Never mind all that.’ Nancy waved away her words. ‘I want to hear about Jack.’

‘Well, he certainly bowled me over, or rather his dog did.’ Ava went over some of what had happened to her the previous week. ‘It was such a change to be somewhere so quiet, though.’

‘You’re blushing.’

Ava knew it was futile to disagree as she could feel her cheeks burning.

‘It’s wonderful to see.’ Nancy reached across and squeezed her hand.

They caught up over a long lunch, and then Ava went shopping on Oxford Street.

She was laughing to herself about the hustle and bustle that Jack would have hated as she weaved in and out of the crowds.

She spent another hour in the shops and then went back to the flat.

Saturday evening, she was going to be on her own as Georgia was going out.

Later, she sat on the sofa with a book and a glass of wine.

It had been one of the joys of being a divorcee, not being made to feel guilty that she didn’t want to go out and party.

Giles preferred to dine out rather than eat at home.

He was always being invited along to corporate events, which he took advantage of at every opportunity.

He hated it when she didn’t want to come along to them all. But then again, she knew now that he probably only asked her because she’d say no. Then he could take another woman on his arm, making out it was her fault because she was antisocial.

He was so different from Jack, who seemed to like a quiet life, spending time with family, yet squirrelling himself away when the need for peace was necessary for his work. She knew which one she preferred.

Ava reached for her phone, disappointed when she saw there was no new message from him. He hadn’t sent anything since the first one. But it wouldn’t hurt to contact him.

You’re right. It is rather noisy in London .

His message came back straightaway.

I told you. But I bet it’s warmer down there.

A little. Missing my hot chocolate, though.

The phone rang, making her jump as she was holding it. Jack’s name flashed up on the screen.

‘What are you up to?’ he asked when she answered.

‘Relaxing. I’ve had a full day so far. I’m exhausted.’

‘Meaning?’

‘I met a work colleague for a coffee, went shopping, and then collapsed on the settee with relief that I have the house to myself this evening. Does that sound selfish?’

‘It sounds blissful, well – apart from the shopping part.’

She laughed, pulling her feet up to her side and settling into the conversation.

‘Do you have plans for tomorrow?’ Jack wanted to know.

‘Not really. I’ll be getting some things to bring down with me for work. Apart from that, I feel like a spare part in my own home. It’s very bizarre.’

‘It’s the Somerley effect. Once you visit, you’ll want to return. Although don’t leave it twenty-odd years this time.’

There was no way she would do that now. Not after connecting with Jack again. Because the one thing she wished was that he was with her now.

They ended the call, and she counted down the hours she had before she’d be on her way back.

It was nice to have something to look forward to.