Second Chance(64)

It was an old stone building with oak beams and uneven flagstones, and Jack had to duck his head to get through the inner door that led from the porch into the public bar. There was no sign of Nate there, so Jack turned towards the restaurant. A server greeted him with a smile, “Hello, sir. Have you booked or do you need a table?”

“I’m here to meet some other people.” Catching sight of Nate over her shoulder, he raised his hand in greeting. “I see them.”

She stood aside to let him through and Jack went to join Nate and the others at a table over near the fireplace. The smile on Nate’s face warmed Jack as much as the roaring blaze in the grate.

“Hi, everyone,” Jack said, glancing around at them. Sue beamed at him, and Cass and Adam nodded politely.

Nate stood to greet him, pulling him into a brief hug, and brushing the barest of kisses over Jack’s cheek. Jack flushed, loving the touch of Nate’s lips, but self-conscious about the public display of affection. He glanced around as he took a seat beside Nate, but didn’t see anyone watching them.

“How are you feeling today, Jack?” Sue asked. “Caught up on sleep after Friday night’s drama I hope?”

“I’m great thanks, much better after a lie-in. But more importantly, how are you?” Jack turned to Cass.

“I’m fine,” she said firmly. “Totally fine. But bored with being the centre of attention, so we can just forget that Friday happened now please?”

Jack did a mock salute. “Yes ma’am.”

“Thanks.” Cass grinned back at him.

The server came to take their drinks order and brought them food menus. Nate didn’t even bother to open his. “I already know what I’m having. The Sunday roast here is great, so I’m going with that.” He pointed to the specials board up on the wall.

“Beef, pork, or turkey?” Jack asked, reading the options.

“Beef.”

“Mmm. Yeah. Me too I think.”

They all ended up ordering the roast. Beef for Nate and Jack, pork for Cass, and turkey for Sue and Adam. Once their orders were placed, there was an awkward pause for a moment. Jack looked around the table and caught Adam’s eye. He gave the boy a smile, and Adam returned it tentatively.

“So, Adam,” Sue asked, filling the silence. “What A levels are you doing?”

“Maths, Physics, and Chemistry,” Adam replied politely. “And Critical Thinking AS level.”

“And do you know what you want to do after sixth form?”

“University hopefully, to study Aeronautical Engineering.”

Jack zoned out and sipped his lemonade, stomach growling at the delicious smells wafting around. The gentle pressure of Nate’s knee knocking his brought him back. He glanced sideways and Nate asked in a low voice, “You okay?”

“Yeah,” Jack answered with a smile. “You?”

“Still a bit tired.”

Nate looked it. Paler than usual, his eyes were shadowed. But happiness shone in his eyes as he returned Jack’s smile.



When their food arrived Jack was more than ready for it.

“This looks fantastic.” He picked up his knife and fork and started to dig in.

There was a lull in the conversation as they focused on eating rather than talking. Nate kept his knee pressed against Jack’s, and the touch of it was grounding. Jack hoped they’d get a chance to talk soon. Perhaps they could go for a walk together later?

Once they’d finished their main course, the server brought them the dessert menu. “There are some specials on the board as well.” She pointed. “But we’re out of the spotted dick.” She hurried away to clear another table.

Nate snorted and covered it with a cough.

Cass rolled her eyes. “Daaaad.”

“What?” Nate asked innocently.

Jack chuckled. “That always makes me laugh too.”

Nate shuffled closer to Jack. They didn’t have enough dessert menus between them, and they were sharing one. Without thinking, Jack lifted his arm and put it around Nate’s shoulders, and Nate put his hand on Jack’s thigh.

It felt good to Jack. It felt right showing his affection for Nate in public. He glanced across the table and caught Cass’s gaze on them. “Well I guess someone has to appreciate his childish sense of humour.”

Nate turned to Jack and grinned. Jack was sure he could see genuine affection in Nate’s eyes, the feelings he had reflected back, and his heart lifted. The rest of the room dropped away for a moment as Jack smiled back, wrapped in a warm cocoon of happiness.

“Oh, look, Jack. It’s your mum and dad,” Sue said.

Her words were like a bucket of icy water. Jack snatched his arm away from Nate and put some space between them. Turning, he saw his parents standing with one of the servers, obviously waiting to be seated.

Please don’t let them see me.

Jack let out a sigh of relief as the server led them around a corner and out of Jack’s line of sight. He turned back to see every pair of eyes at their table trained on him. Sue and Adam looked confused, and Cass was glaring at Jack like he was shit on a shoe. When Jack took in Nate’s expression he immediately felt sick. His face was flushed and he wouldn’t meet Jack’s eyes. The hurt and humiliation were obvious and painful.