Alice stepped back from Jamie. ‘Mum. What are you doing here?’
Lizzie raised the two carrier bags she was holding. ‘Bringing over some of Benny’s presents to put beneath your tree out back. Perhaps you should lock the door if you’re going to be intimate.’
Alice squirmed on the inside as she watched her mother glare at Jamie, and he seemed to notice as well.
‘Look, Liz, I know you don’t think I’m good enough for your daughter, but—’
‘Oh, what gave you that idea, son?’ Lizzie’s tone was filled with sarcasm, and Alice didn’t know what to say.
Jamie’s chest rose and fell steadily. ‘I just want you to know I’d never do anything to hurt Alice.’
‘Oh, is that right? And your word is as good as . . . What exactly?’ Lizzie lifted one bag, attempting to circle a finger. ‘Withall the stunts you pulled around here, your word is suddenly worth something, is it?’
‘Mum, I thought you were giving Jamie a second chance.’
Lizzie’s lips pursed for a moment. ‘I was. I am. I just would prefer it if he . . . Well, if he . . .’
‘Wasn’t around your daughter,’ said Jamie.
Lizzie didn’t correct him.
‘Mum, please. You’re not being very fair. He hasn’t put a foot wrong since he’s been out. Doesn’t that show you anything?’
Jamie sighed. ‘I get that you don’t trust me. It’s early days, but you’ll see how much I care about Alice. How I won’t ruin her life.’
Lizzie scoffed. ‘No, you already did that once, didn’t you?’
‘I was an idiot. I made mistakes and I got arrested. That wouldn’t happen now.’
‘And I’m just supposed to take your word for it, am I?’ Lizzie’s voice was a little louder.
‘No,’ snapped Jamie. ‘But you’ll see. I’m telling you, Alice is fine with me. I won’t hurt her.’
Lizzie dropped one bag and slapped her chest with a thud. ‘How do you expect me to believe that when I know what you’re capable of?’
‘I’m asking you to try and have a little faith.’
‘Why did you come back here, Jamie? Why my daughter? She’s nothing but a roof over your head to you, isn’t she?’
‘She’s more than that.’
‘No, she’s not.’
‘She’s my wife!’ Jamie yelled.
Alice gasped, placing a hand over her mouth. ‘Jamie!’
Lizzie dropped the other bag as Jamie stormed out.
Chapter 26
Jamie
Marching down the road, Jamie huffed and puffed, chastising himself with every step. He hadn’t brought a coat and the cold wind whipped through his shirt, chilling his bones. Light snow fell, but he didn’t care. He was too angry to care about anything much at all.
How could I be so bloody stupid?
He wanted to yell out to sea. Run to the shoreline and scream at nobody. Nothing. Only the boats bobbing in the bitter water would hear his cries, everyone else being huddled up at home.
