Page 47 of Happier Days (Family Life in Somerley #1)
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
‘I thought it was you,’ Giles said once he reached the table. ‘You’re looking great. How are you? Haven’t seen you in a while.’
‘That’s because I haven’t been in the office.’
‘Have you been ill?’
‘No.’
A slight pause. ‘Do you have a new job?’
‘An extension of the old one – for now.’
‘Sounds interesting.’
‘And none of your business, remember?’
His laugh was insincere and awkward at the same time. ‘You’re not still holding the divorce against me?’
‘Oh, no. I’ve moved on.’
‘Well, you’ll probably be pleased to hear that I’m single again.’
Ava glanced towards the door, praying that Jack wouldn’t come out before she’d got rid of Giles. Equally, there was so much she wanted to say to her ex, shout at him even. Instead, she held her tongue. Better to be the bigger person.
But she wasn’t prepared for what Giles said next.
‘I miss you.’
Ava started at the painful expression on his face, his teary eyes. Was this a joke?
‘You left me for someone not much older than your daughter,’ she snapped.
‘I made a mistake.’
‘Again? Because it wasn’t the first time it happened, was it?’
‘If you want me to be honest, then no, it wasn’t.’
‘I don’t want anything from you anymore.’
‘I know. I messed up.’ He touched her shoulder. ‘May I sit with you?’
‘I don’t think so.’
When he gasped, Ava snorted inwardly. He actually thought she would have agreed.
‘The seat is taken,’ she added, so he didn’t sit down on it regardless.
‘Who are you with, Nancy?’ He glanced around to see.
Ava browsed the menu, hoping he would leave, but still he stood beside her.
‘Could I at least have a chance to explain?’
Ava glared at him. He had aged well since they’d met, and he was a catch for someone. But not her, not again.
She was about to say something she’d regret when Jack appeared. He walked towards her and, right now, she’d never been happier to see him.
‘Everything okay?’ He pulled out his chair and sat down again.
‘Yep,’ she replied impishly. ‘I was just chatting to Giles, but he’s leaving now.’
Jack nodded, then eyed Giles very slowly. ‘So you’re the one?’
‘I’m sorry?’ Giles frowned.
‘The one who broke Ava’s heart but then set her free for someone else to love.’
Ava cringed inwardly but froze while she listened to what Giles would say.
‘There’s no need to act all pompous,’ he said brusquely.
Jack raised his eyebrows, keeping his eyes on Ava. It was excruciating, but like car crash TV. Ava could almost hear the wheels spinning inside Giles’s brain as he tried to think of something witty to say.
‘Do you care about Ava, Giles?’ Jack asked quietly when Giles said nothing.
‘Yes, I do.’ Giles nodded. ‘Very much so.’
‘Then you don’t have to worry. She’s in safe hands with me. I’ll take great care of her.’
Ava held in laughter. This was so much fun.
Giles had another staring competition with Jack, but then Jack turned away. He filled their glasses with water from the jug.
Ava saw the twinkle in his eye. They both ignored Giles until he finally got the message.
‘Well, I guess I’ll see you around, Ava,’ he said.
‘Don’t bet on it,’ she replied, her eyes still on Jack’s. ‘Georgia is fine by the way. Thanks for asking.’
Giles walked away without another word.
‘Has he gone?’ she asked Jack who could see him over her shoulder.
‘Yes.’
Ava relaxed. ‘What an idiot. I was mortified when he showed up.’
Their meals arrived shortly afterwards, and they tucked in with gusto. The Southbank became more alive with every minute that passed, and so too did Ava and Jack. Music from a busker a few metres away kept them entertained.
‘I think I like London after all.’ Jack reached for her hand. ‘It was a cheap shot, but it made me feel marvellous saying that to Giles.’
‘He deserved it, and I enjoyed seeing his face fall.’
‘Did he really expect you’d be on your own since you split up?’ Jack shook his head at the audacity.
‘I think he’s met his match in you.’ Ava grinned. ‘And I’ve been reunited with you, so I think it’s win-win to me, either way.’