“What's going on, honey?” Jim held Tasha's arm.
“Nothing, except the world is going to end without stock cubes, so I need to go.”
“You're lying to me, Tasha,” he said flatly causing her to sigh at the realisation she'd been caught out, but she didn't have the time or energy to explain herself.
“I will explain when I get back, I promise. This is just something that I need to do, me and Dan, alone. He text me.”
“Tasha,” he began and she knew he’d be relentless now and insist on accompanying her so was relieved when Paul called to her husband.
“Jim, where are Connor's clean clothes, he's been sick.”
That distracted Jim enough that he loosened his hold on Tasha giving her the opportunity to run to Celia's car, hopefully before he could catch up with her.
****
It took about twenty minutes to get to the park where Dan had asked to meet and as she sat in the car park with a perfect view of the band stand, Tasha text Lizzie, ignoring the messages from Jim and Pippa.
Looking up, Tasha saw a figure, slightly obscured by the piece of modern art that had been erected in front of the band stand but assuming it was Dan she got out of the car and headed over.
Chapter 31
Back at her grandparents’ house Jim had just finished washing and changing Connor who had been sick, although he thought that was a serious understatement when he considered just how much vomit could come from such a small person. He wondered whether it was due to the heat at the zoo, but then reasoned that the heat in London on a good summer's day was several degrees cooler than in LA and Connor had been protected from the sun so maybe it was just a bug or the travelling.
“There you go, buddy,” Jim told his son, leaning down to kiss him as he lay on the bed he and Tasha were sharing. Connor was still a little whiny and restless but Jim figured he’d probably got a tummy ache.
Carrying him back downstairs Jim was surprised to find Dan walking through the front door, alone.
“Where's Tash?” the younger man asked.
“I was about to ask the same thing,” Jim replied concerned.
“What? We're talking tonight, right?” Dan stood confused as Celia appeared in the hall.
“Oh, it's you, Dan. I thought it was Tasha back, although you're late,” she noted as the clock in the hall struck the half hour. “Are you feeling better, my darling?” she asked turning her attention to Connor, taking him from Jim.
“What?” asked Dan, agitation clear in his voice as the two men were left alone.
“Where's my wife?” asked Jim suspiciously. “If you have done anything to endanger her...” his voice trailed off.
“What? What are you on about?” Dan turned to hang his coat up.
“You text her and she's gone to meet you, just the two of you, ringing any bells?” Jim felt a near overpowering urge to punch the young man he’d pulled to face him and now stood toe to toe with, never mind slap him like Tasha had. The slap she’d felt so guilty about.
“I have no clue what you're talking about. I haven't text Tash today and made no plans to meet. I missed my bus and that's why I’m late but was expecting you and her as the welcoming committee.”
Jim frowned and although the other man's words seemed genuine, they couldn't be unless Tasha was outright lying, which he didn't think she was.
“You don't believe me? Fine, check my phone.” Dan reached into his coat pocket, then his jeans and finally emptied his bag. “Shit!”
“What?” Every nerve in Jim’s body screamed that this was bad news.
“My phone's not here. I had it earlier when I saw...”
“Who?” asked Jim angrily. “Who did you see?”
“Mum, I saw our mum.”
