Jamie mocked hurt. ‘But I’ve always loved your fussing.’
She figured she could still do a little, just hold off when it came to things like his therapy. ‘How’s it been?’ she asked quietly, glancing around at the three customers huddled at a back table, tucking in to an all-day breakfast.
‘I haven’t stolen the cutlery. So, so far so good.’
‘That’s not funny, Jamie.’
He lightly tapped her knuckles. ‘I’ve had a good morning. No more worrying.’
Alice felt her neck heat a little at his touch. ‘If I come on too strong, please say. I don’t want you to ever feel smothered by me.’
Jamie frowned. ‘Where’s that coming from?’
She didn’t want to tell him she had just been talking about him to her friends, so she simply shrugged.
Jamie brought his hand to his heart and held it there for a moment. ‘You, Angel, have never done anything but show me love. And it all sits right here. I don’t want you looking at me and overthinking. Let’s just be the us we know.’ He lowered his hand. ‘Have I ever told you to back off?’
‘No. You used to just walk away.’ The memory hit of the times she’d try to stop him from going off with Gregg.
‘I won’t be walking away again, Angel,’ he said softly.
Not knowing what to do with that snippet of information, Alice drank her coffee.
Chapter 10
Jamie
Jamie had the feeling someone had got into Alice’s head. When she had sat with him in the café earlier, he could see her concerns. Not for one moment, even when in prison, did he expect her to automatically believe he was now a good person. She couldn’t see into his mind, know what his plans were for the future. It was obvious he would face some doubts, even from her.
He walked into The Butterfly Company, thoughts only with Alice. He didn’t want her to back away from him. To start acting like a different person. It was unsettling.
Part of him was ready to turn and head home just so he could talk to her. Get more to the bottom of her thoughts and feelings. Make it perfectly clear he had no problem with the way she showed how much she cared about people. About him. Some days, he felt it was only her belief in him holding him up.
‘Jamie! Over here.’ Demi waved from the staircase.
He smiled, heading her way. His chat with Alice would have to wait. ‘I thought I might have seen you on the bus.’
‘I was visiting my brother, so I came from a different direction. How you feeling? Nervous?’
Jamie shook his head. ‘Nah, I’m okay.’
They went into a large room, windows lining one wall. The air smelled of furniture polish, and the carpet looked as though someone had not long given it the once over with a vacuum cleaner. Chairs sat in a circle, and Jamie straight away noticed Henley sitting on one.
Henley stood as Jamie and Demi sat with the others already there. ‘Please welcome newcomer Jamie to the group.’
A few people said hello while others nodded.
Jamie felt far from new. Surrounded by ex-offenders was something he was quite used to. Although, in prison, they were inmates, and not everyone had the desire to go straight when they got out.
He sat and listened to a couple of men talk about their experiences since being released. One seemed to struggle with his family, and the other with holding down a job.
Working in the café for the best part of the day gave Jamie a real sense of purpose. Not once had he got bored or thought about faster ways to make money. Not that money was ever the reason he did anything.
It was a bit of a relief hearing stories similar to his own, and even though he felt sorry for the people in his group for all they’d been through, he was glad he wasn’t alone, because quite often, that’s exactly how he felt.
‘Jamie, would you care to share anything today?’ asked Henley. ‘Don’t feel obligated. No one is expected to talk on their first time, but just know you can.’
Jamie wasn’t sure what he could add that hadn’t already been mentioned. Demi was giving him a reassuring smile, and the others seemed friendly enough. He thought for a moment, then decided to get something off his chest.
