Page 73 of The House on Sunset Lake

‘You know the National Film School, just outside London, is amazing. There are studios in Shepperton and Pinewood. Soho is chock-full of production companies and editing suites . . .’

‘You’ve got a real knack, you know.’

‘For what?’

‘For making life seem exciting and full of possibilities.’

‘People talk about being trapped, but we generally make cages for ourselves. Sometimes you just have to know when to say no and when you’ve got to say yes.’

‘Yes,’ she whispered as he kissed her.

Afterwards Jen found her panties and put them on, and as she watched Jim button his shirt, she felt buoyed and happy. She could hear voices out in the field and she knew that Marion, who lived in a small cottage next to the stables, would be up, and that she had to return to the house quickly.

They made hasty plans. A voice in her head reminded her that half of Savannah thought she was marrying Connor Gilbert, but as Jim made a check list of what they had to do, it all felt so easy, like ticking off a shopping list.

For his part, Jim was going to tell his parents that he was not returning to London. Not that evening, not yet. Friends of the Sittenfields were arriving at the Lake House at the end of the week, so there was no possibility of staying on there. Besides, they both knew how difficult it would be remaining so close to Casa D’Or. They decided it might be an idea for them to leave Savannah for a few days until they decided what to do next.

Jennifer instantly thought of her aunt Donna. Pensacola wasn’t too far from Georgia, and she imagined sunset beach walks with Jim along the Floridian sands.

‘Do you want me to come with you?’ said Jim as they loitered at the barn door.

‘Like that will make it easier.’ She smiled grimly. ‘I’ll deal with it. You see if you can extend your plane ticket. We should meet up again later this afternoon.’

The door shut with a creak behind them. Jennifer cringed with embarrassment as she saw that Jim’s pickup was one of the few vehicles left on the drive. She didn’t kiss him goodbye. Simply walked back towards the house with purpose. She turned round once and saw that he was sitting in the truck. As the engine growled to life, he gave her a wink that gave her a spring in her step.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The house was still and quiet. Grey-blue early-morning light filtered through the windows. Jennifer still had a fuzzy head, so she crept into the kitchen to get a glass of water. The sound of the water trickling out of the taps was as soothing as the liquid slipping down her throat. She was hungry too, and went over to the fridge to see what was in there. It opened with a pop, and light illuminated a dizzy array of leftovers: cold hams and miniature tarts.

‘Back so soon?’ said a voice behind her.

Jennifer gasped and pushed the fridge door shut. She was not surprised to see her mother standing at the kitchen door in her negligee, her arms folded across her chest. In the cool light and without make-up, Sylvia looked deathly pale. Her face was expressionless, which only added to her ghoulishness.

Jennifer clutched her glass of water like a talisman. For a second she wished that she had taken Jim up on his offer to come with her, but she knew she had to face this alone.

‘I was just going to bed,’ she said, standing a little straighter.

‘You didn’t say goodbye to anyone at the party. Not one person,’ said her mother coolly.

‘I’m sorry . . .’

‘I’m sorry,’ her mother mimicked. ‘Do you know how embarrassed Connor was?’

‘I’ll speak to him later.’

‘If he’ll even see you.’

Jennifer pressed her lips together and willed herself to stay strong.

‘I have to see him. We need to talk.’

‘I can’t say I like the sound of that, but I suppose, under the circumstances, he might forgive you.’

‘Forgive me?’

‘You and Jim Johnson. One final fling before he goes home. Getting it out of your system.’

‘I’m in love with Jim,’ she said defiantly.