Page 45 of The Girl with the Irish Secret

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‘Holy mother, it’s Jack Montgomery,’ Lily hissed as he walked down the aisle. ‘And he’s coming this way. The seat beside you is free. Quick, get him to come and sit there.’

‘But I thought that was Dom’s seat,’ Vi protested. ‘I was holding it for him.’

‘Never mind. He’ll find another one,’ Lily insisted. She waved at Jack and shouted: ‘Hello, there is a seat free here beside Vi.’

Jack, who had been looking a little uncomfortable under the stares of so many people, seemed relieved as he pushed in and sat down beside Vi. ‘Thanks.’ He held out his hand and leaned over Vi to shake Lily’s. ‘Hi, I’m Jack.’

‘I know,’ Lily said, blushing. ‘Hello. I’m Vi’s sister Lily. How marvellous to meet you in person.’

‘And you.’ Jack smiled at Liam. ‘And who is this?’

‘It’s me,’ Liam said.

‘Of course it is,’ Jack said, taking Liam’s hand and shaking it. ‘Hello there. I’m Jack.’

‘Jack,’ Liam said and then pointed to his round little tummy. ‘Liam.’

‘What on earth are you doing here?’ Vi interrupted.

‘I came to watch the show,’ Jack replied. ‘I thought it might be something unique not to be missed.’

‘A performance by five-year-olds?’ Vi stared at him. ‘I thought you were in Yorkshire for Christmas.’

‘No, that didn’t really work out,’ Jack said. ‘I’m going to go to New York to stay with friends instead but then I thought I’d stop off here on the way to see this.’ He turned to look at Vi. ‘I just wanted to seeyou, to tell you the honest truth.’

‘Why?’ Vi asked, her heart beating as he looked at her. She suddenly remembered her dream and felt her cheeks blush.

‘Shh, the curtain is going up,’ Jack said as the lights dimmed.

‘Shh,’ Liam echoed, putting his finger to his lips.

‘You heard,’ Jack whispered and took Vi’s hand. ‘We’ll talk later.’

His warm hand holding hers made it hard for Vi to concentrate on the performance. But when Naomi fluttered onto the stage looking enchanting in her tulle skirt and matching wings, Vi pulled her hand from Jack’s grip. Naomi’s dance was lovely and the whole group of little fairies danced perfectly in time with the music. When they had finished, the audience gave them a standing ovation, shouting, ‘Bravo,’ over and over again, Jack among them.

He turned to Vi, his eyes shining. ‘That was the most beautiful dance I’ve seen in a long time. Those little girls are the cutest.’

‘Oh yes.’ Vi smiled as she glanced at Liam, who had fallen asleep on Lily’s lap. ‘But some of us found it very tiring. I think he slept through most of it.’

‘Thank goodness that’s all he did,’ Lily said. She turned to Jack. ‘We’re all going to Granny’s for a drink and a bite to eat after the show. Mulled wine and mince pies. Would you like to come?’

‘I’d be honoured,’ Jack said. ‘Thank you.’

‘You can go with Vi in Granny’s car,’ Lily said.

Jack gathered up his coat. ‘Thanks, but I have a car. Violet, do you want to come with me?’

‘Thanks, but I’ll go with Granny,’ Vi replied, feeling flustered. She wanted to ask him what he was doing, arriving unannounced like this at her little niece’s ballet show and why he was holding her hand and acting as though they were in some kind of relationship. Was he doing it for a bit of distraction, or was there another reason?

‘But where is Sylvia?’ Jack asked, looking around.

‘I think she went outside,’ Lily said. ‘I saw her walking out with a friend. She’ll be in the car waiting for Vi.’

‘I’d better go,’ Vi said. ‘I’ll see you there, Jack. You can park in the courtyard.’

Jack nodded. ‘Okay. See you at the manor.’ Then he looked around as someone called his name, asking him for his autograph while other people took photos of him with their phones. ‘I’ll try my best to get out of here alive,’ he joked as Vi left.