Second Chance(39)

Jack bristled. Other than Nate, was the subtext he suspected beneath his mother’s words. He immediately regretted lying to her, but it was too late to take it back now. Why the hell was he hiding things from his mother at the age of forty-five for fuck’s sake? He changed the subject quickly.

“What else do we need? Give me some things to get while you decide what you want to get for you and Dad.”

Distracted, his mum consulted her list and sent Jack off in search of rice, pasta, and some Earl Grey teabags. He hurried off, cursing himself for his stupidity, and for his disloyalty to Nate.



Pulling up his hood against the chill, Jack increased his pace as he walked through the dark lanes of Hedbury. A car came around the corner, headlights blinding him for a moment before the driver dipped them. The car slowed as it passed him and Jack raised a hand in thanks.

Stressed about dinner with Nate’s family, he was grateful for the walk to Nate’s house. The exercise gave him a chance to burn off some excess anxiety. It was silly to be nervous but he couldn’t help it. He knew Sue well, even though he’d hardly seen her for years. She’d always been welcoming to him when he was a teenager and was friendly and easy to chat to. Cass was an unknown quantity, though. Until his recent job change, Jack had very little experience at dealing with teenagers and the idea of spending time with Nate’s daughter was daunting. He wanted to impress her. He wanted her to like him, and to be okay with him spending time with her dad.

When he arrived at Nate’s front door, Jack braced himself, squaring his shoulders, and giving himself a final mental pep talk—you can do this—before ringing the bell.

Loud barking greeted him, followed by the sound of footsteps and a muffled voice, Nate’s, saying, “Be quiet, Jess. That’s enough.”

The door opened, and Jack saw Nate’s nervous smile as he greeted Jack with his hand on Jess’s collar. “Hey.” Jess’s tail was wagging furiously and she whined as she strained to get to Jack. “Come in.”

“Hi.” Jack shut the door behind him and knelt down. “Hey, Jessie.” He petted the ecstatic dog that licked his hand and tried to reach his face when Nate finally released his grip on her. “No, I don’t want any kisses from you thanks.” He stood up again and said quietly to Nate, “Only from you.”

Nate’s smile widened and he leaned forward to give Jack a quick kiss on the lips. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too.”

“Let me take your coat.”

Jack shrugged it off and Nate helped him out of it, an oddly formal gesture, before hanging it on some hooks by the door.

“I brought a bottle of wine for your mum.” Jack held out the carrier bag he was holding. Buying it had been a challenge he’d set himself, and he was relieved to hand it over and have it out of his possession.

“You can give it to her yourself. Come on through to the kitchen. Dinner’s nearly ready.”

The kitchen was warm and something smelt delicious, meaty, and garlicky. Sue was at the cooker, stirring one pan while steam rattled the lid of another one. She turned to smile at Jack. “Hi, Jack. How are you?”

“Hi, Mrs Harris. I’m fine thanks.”

“Call me Sue, please. I’m sure I always asked you to when you were younger but you never got the hang of it.”

Jack chuckled. “Yeah, probably not. I’ll try and get it right now.” He got the wine out of his bag. “I brought this.”

“Oh thanks, that’s kind of you. It’s red, is it? Just pop it on the counter.”

“Do you need any help with anything?”

“No thanks, it’s all under control. Nate’s already laid the table so I think we’re good.”

The kitchen table was laid out with a blue-and-white checked tablecloth and cutlery. There was a bowl of salad in the centre too.

The oven timer went off, and Sue said, “That’s for the pasta. It should be ready now. Nate, can you call Cass and tell her we’re dishing up.” Sue lifted the large steaming pot and carried it to the sink while Nate went and shouted up the stairs for Cass. Jack stood around feeling awkward with nothing to do.

“Actually, Jack, this is a bit heavy for me. Can you drain this? The colander is in the sink already.” Sue put the pot down on a wooden chopping board.

“Of course.” Jack swooped in to help. It was a cast iron pot and it weighed a ton. He poured boiling water and spaghetti into the colander in a rush, and a huge cloud of steam enveloped him.

On his return to the kitchen, Nate asked, “Shall I get some drinks? Do you want wine, Mum?”

“Yes please. Open the one Jack brought, we don’t have any on the go.” Sue started dishing out the pasta into large bowls.

Nate opened it and poured out a glass, which he carried to the table. “What would you like, Jack?”

“Just water please.”

As Nate filled some water glasses, Jack helped him carry them to the table.

Cass appeared as Sue was finishing putting sauce on the pasta. “Am I too late to help?”

“Yes. Perfect timing. But it’s your turn to wash up anyway so we’ll let you off,” Nate said teasingly, and then added, “You remember Jack, don’t you?”

Cass turned her attention to him and Jack tried to give her his most winning smile.