‘You spent eight years of your life keeping that man part of your day when you didn’t have to while he was locked away. So it’s quite clear that work and motherhood aren’t the only things you think about.’ Lizzie sighed and sat back.
‘I don’t think about marriage. Even when I decided to start dating and met Alan, I wasn’t thinking about marriage.’
Silence sat between them for a long moment.
‘Your mum has had a shock, Alice,’ said Luna. ‘Everything will be all right soon enough.’
Lizzie wrinkled her nose. ‘Will it?’
Luna sipped her sherry. ‘Don’t see why not. They’re happy with the way things are between them. As long as that’s the case, then let them get on with it, I say. Our Alice is safe and cared for, and that’s what matters.’
Alice wasn’t sure about much after Jamie blurted their secret. Maybe she was safe and cared for, but did he have any respect for her? Did he tell her mum just to be spiteful to Lizzie? She covered her angel necklace with one hand, wondering what was going through Jamie’s mind. It wasn’t as though she could call him to ask — he didn’t have a phone. Not that she wanted to talk to him just yet.
Taking a deep breath, she went out to the foyer to double-check the main door was locked. Even if she wanted Jamie to come home, he wouldn’t be able to travel in the blizzard.
The door was fine, so she grabbed the spare key to his room and headed upstairs.
Most of Jamie’s things were still there, Will only having packed some overnight bits.
Alice watched the snow for a while battering the balcony. There had been many times she’d missed the warm touch of Jamie Stark, but tonight, she felt lonelier than ever.
With a pounding head and eyes half open, Alice curled up on his bed and hugged his pillow. No, she didn’t have a real marriage, and no she didn’t have a man declaring his love for her each night. But she did have the memory of their one night where they were joined in every way.
Jamie had been so tender. His lips peppered kisses all along her jawline and neck. His eyes had shown affection each time he gazed at her beneath him. He had stroked her hair back and cupped her face, asked if she was okay, and held her tightly. The whole night had become frozen in time. A time she didn’t want to end. And Jamie had kept her in his arms till the sun came up and a new day began.
Alice closed her eyes and fell asleep, warm with her memory. But still so angry at him for breaking his promise.
Chapter 28
Jamie
Jamie woke to a blanket of snow covering the fields around Happy Farm. It looked so serene and pretty that just for a moment he wasn’t thinking about why he had spent the night at Will and Ginny’s. Peace surrounded him, and he felt a tad free from his life.
He had a cellmate once who had lived on a farm. He would talk about rolling hills and trickling brooks. They’d swap stories of harbour life and country living, using their imagination and memories to whisk themselves off home for a while.
Staring down at the chicken coop, Jamie knew he was as enclosed as the chickens today. No one was going anywhere with the amount of snow all around.
He got washed and dressed and headed to the kitchen to see if there was anything he could help with.
‘Sit yourself down, chick,’ Ginny said as soon as he entered. ‘We’re having a fry-up. What do you fancy?’
Jamie sat at the table. ‘Bacon sarnie is good enough for me, thanks.’
Will waggled the kettle his way. ‘Or we’ve got juice.’
‘Juice, please.’ Jamie went to stand, but Will waved him down. ‘You stay there. We’ve got this.’
Jamie glanced at the carrycot in the corner. ‘Is he asleep again?’
Will peered over. ‘Nope. Staring at his mobile. Go and take a peek.’
Jamie wasn’t sure if the baby would cry on seeing a strange face, but he had a nosey at their son. ‘Hello, little man. I like your farm animals.’ He tapped one of the sheep on the mobile hanging over the cot.
Baby Robert gurgled, making Jamie smile.
‘Roads are covered,’ said Will, putting some bread on the table. ‘Said so just now on the radio. We won’t be opening the shops today.’
‘It should clear a bit tomorrow.’ Ginny plated some food. ‘We’ve got Sophie’s wedding in a few days. It might look nice with the snow, but it won’t be nice if we can’t get there.’
