Zoe’s words confused Steph slightly as she wondered why Eddie would speak about Jon at all.
“No, I am most definitely not a vegetarian.” Jon accepted Zoe’s hand before she turned to Steph and looked at her still bruised face.
“You should have called us.”
“Sorry.”
“Good. Now let’s eat and then maybe Auntie Steph can help with homework,” said Zoe leading them all through to the dining room.
It wasn’tuntil they were eating dessert that Steph said, “I noticed a very pretty Golf on your drive, I assume it’s yours, Zoe.”
Zoe shook her head and looked across at Eddie who also shook his head. “Not unless I am up for a premature mid-life crisis.”
“Not that premature.” Steph’s teasing made her chuckle as her brother frowned at her making her laugh more.
Jon smiled as he watched the three of them; Eddie who was probably only about thirty-six, the oldest brother, and looked well on it with a full head of dark hair topping off a broad frame of about six feet and likely considered an attractive man, thought Jon, as he turned his attention to Zoe. She was only about five feet four and had shoulder length red hair with a liberal splattering of freckles across her face. She looked no older than thirty-two or thirty-three with bright, sparkling, blue eyes. She wasn’t beautiful like Steph was, at least not in his eyes, but was an attractive woman and it was obvious from the way she and Eddie looked at each other that they were not only in love with each other, but also fancied each other like mad.
“So, who does the car belong to?” asked Steph obviously confused.
Eddie looked across at Jon, shaking his head and waiting for him to say something, which he did.
“You. It belongs to you, Steph,” said Jon.
“How? I don’t understand,” replied a confused looking Steph.”
“I asked Eddie to sort you a new car, something you’d like,” he told her expressionless, making her wonder whether he was masking some nervousness or if he was that confident that he had nothing to be nervous about. “You like it, don’t you?” he asked calmly.
“Yes, but that’s not the point. I still don’t understand. I already have a car, and I can’t afford that one even with mine in part exchange.”
“Yes, darling, a car Simon followed you in and although I had said you should change your car, I didn’t contact Eddie until after he had followed you, so now you have two cars because the Golf is bought and paid for, but as you can only drive one at a time I suggest you speak to Eddie about getting rid of your old one,” said Jon bluntly.
“Sis, I can take it off your hands, no problem, and it would give you some spare cash.” Eddie smiled at her encouragingly.
“And as you have just left your job, spare cash would be sensible, wouldn’t it, Stephanie?” Jon’s question that revealed her employment status to her brother infuriated Steph further.
“You’ve left your job?” Eddie looked at her disbelievingly.
“Yes, but it’s a very long and dull story, so I won’t bore you with the details.” Steph fought to keep a flat, even tone. “But I have agreed to do some temporary work for Jon.”
“That’s something I suppose, but you must be crazy to give up a good job like the one with Bakers, especially in a recession,” muttered Eddie.
“I am sure Steph has her reasons,” said Zoe supportively. “Aren’t you going to take a look at your new car then?”
Eddie retrieved the key from his pocket and handed it to Steph.
“What about my homework?” asked Finley as Steph got to her feet.
“I will be back in ten minutes, so you get your homework out and then we can take a look at it, okay?” Steph began to head towards the door.
“Okay,” agreed Finley begrudgingly.
Steph was about to close the front door behind her when she realised that Eddie had followed her.
“Sis, don’t be so arsy with Jon. He was worried about you after what happened with Simon, we both were and Zoe is right you should have called us.” He put an arm around her shoulders.
“Maybe. Have you told Dad, or the others?” she asked now.
“No, Dad would have been horrified and as much as I would like to go and sort Simon out, the others may have done it, especially Jay, so no, I haven’t told any of them.”
