There was no need to tell her mum that she had felt confused at the end of what she thought had been a perfect evening. And that kiss at the bar still sent her into a spin every time she thought about it.
‘Will you be going out together again?’ asked her mum, excited for her daughter.
‘Hopefully, yes, but we haven’t arranged anything yet. I guess he is literally only across the landing, though.’ She forced a smile.
Would Declan ask her out again? Jess wondered, hoping that he would. She went over the events of the evening in her head, the fun they had had at the golf, their loud laughter ringing out, and the easy way they seemed to connect with each other. She recalled the drinks in the cocktail bar, the kiss, and the feeling of floating on air she felt as they walked home beneath the stars. Had she imagined that he had enjoyed it all as much as she had? He seemed so tense on the walk home.
‘So how was the cinema?’ asked Jess, the rich coffee reviving her with every sip.
‘Noisy.’ Her mum laughed. ‘Dozens of over-excited kids squealing every time the bad guy came onto the screen. Maisie and Libby loved it, though. Now, what would you like for breakfast? Unless you fancy a walk to a café? My treat.’
‘I wouldn’t mind a little walk. I’ll take a quick shower, then we’ll set off. And breakfast is on me,’ she told her mum firmly.
When she was ready, she said to her mum, ‘I will just knock and see how Alice is. I felt she seemed a little tired yesterday, although maybe that isn’t so surprising at her age.’
‘Of course.’ Carol smiled. ‘She can come with us if she fancies it.’
Jess was surprised to see Alice open the door in her dressing gown and looking a little weary.
‘Are you okay?’ she asked anxiously.
‘Truthfully? I have felt better. I am afraid I have a chest infection,’ she informed Jess.
‘Alice! Why didn’t you say something?’ said Jess.
‘Oh, don’t worry about me.’ Alice batted away any fuss. ‘I have some antibiotics from the doctor and have been drinking plenty of water. I am sure I will be just fine in a few days.’
‘So did you go to the doctor alone?’ asked Jess, feeling bad for her friend.
‘I took a taxi. The surgery is only up the road,’ Alice explained.
‘Can I get you anything?’ offered Jess. ‘Something to eat maybe, is there anything you fancy?’
‘I don’t have much of an appetite, but I do have some fresh soup in the fridge if I get hungry, so don’t worry.’ She gave a little cough into a tissue.
Jess couldn’t bear the thought of her being all alone in her apartment. She quickly texted Mark, asking if he could call in sometime this morning and literally a minute later he came out of his door.
‘We are going out now, but I will call in later,’ a concerned Jess told Mark.
‘I’ll look after her,’ said Mark, ushering Alice inside and ordering her to sit down while he made a pot of tea.
After breakfast in a café not far from the train station, Carol suggested a little train trip into Southport. ‘I’ve been saving these.’ She smiled as she pulled a bag of coins from her handbag, as Maisie’s eyes lit up at the thought of going to the arcades and playing on the machines.
‘That would be lovely.’ Jess felt reassured knowing Mark was spending some time with Alice so felt able to enjoy these last few hours with her mum. ‘What time is Pete collecting you, though?’
Jess’s heart sank when she thought about her mum and how she was regretting her move. She had only been thinking of her mum’s happiness at the time, but kind of wished she had made her think a little more before rushing in and could not help but feel guilty about that.
‘Oh, not until around four. We can easily be back by then. It’s only ten thirty,’ said Carol, glancing at her watch.
‘You don’t have to go back with him if you don’t want to, you know that?’ said Jess, as they stood in a small queue outside the ticket kiosk ready to purchase their train tickets.
‘Thanks, love, but I think I do. Besides, all my clothes are there, and so is my car. We came down in Pete’s car. I’ll sort things, though, don’t you worry,’ she tried to reassure her daughter.
‘You don’t think he will be angry with you?’ asked Jess, slightly concerned for her mum.
‘I don’t know.’ Carol frowned. ‘I shouldn’t think so, but then I really don’t know much about him at all, now I come to think of it.’ She sighed. ‘He doesn’t seem to be an angry type, though.’ At least she had seen no evidence of it.
‘But you think things are definitely over between you?’ asked Jess as they wandered over to the platform. She kept her voice down so Maisie could not hear.
