‘Hello, sweetheart.’ Moira stepped forward and hugged her. ‘Come and join the fun.’
Skye plonked herself down in the middle of the blanket, and Mina and Alisha instantly converged on her with pats and cuddles.
Moira opened a box that had a large cake in it. Sam’s eyes met Clara’s, and she flashed him a warm smile; his heart skipped a little.
‘Let’s eat, then we can do the candles,’ Moira said.
‘Candles too.’ Clara prodded him and flicked him a tiny wink.
Everyone tucked into the quiche and the salad. The sandwiches disappeared so fast Sam wasn’t sure he’d even remembered to pack them. His gaze landed on Kaleb, whose would-be innocent expression spoke volumes.
Sam raised an eyebrow at him, then turned to Clara, hoping she’d be thinking the same thing. But when his focus landed on her, she wasn’t looking at him but somewhere over his shoulder, and her face had gone pale. With a slight frown, he turned to follow her gaze.
His breath caught in his throat as he spotted Kerr Halley and Georgie, his fiancée, strolling towards them across the grass. They were both wearing tennis clothes, and Kerr had clearly seen them and was making a beeline for them.
Sam held his breath, glancing back at Clara. He saw the conflict playing out on her face. Would there ever be a time when seeing this man wouldn’t give her this discomfort? Perhaps she wished he was the one sitting here with his family sharing the picnic.
And not me.
‘Hey, I thought it was you guys.’ Kerr had reached them and was standing at the end of the rug behind the kids. Georgie had her hand entwined with Kerr’s and beamed at the group.‘We were just having a match, which means Georgie using me as cannon fodder,’ he went on. ‘Hope you don’t mind us saying hello.’
‘Of course not.’ Sam got to his feet, and Clara did the same.
‘Don’t get up.’ Kerr held up his hand. ‘I don’t want to interrupt. I just didn’t want to walk past without saying anything.’
‘You’re fine,’ Sam said.
‘It’s so good to see you.’ Clara hugged Georgie, then Kerr, though she looked a little awkward. Kerr only returned it briefly.
‘Are you Georgie Porter?’ Moira asked.
Georgie nodded. ‘Yeah, that’s me.’
‘Oh, goodness.’ Moira pressed her hand to her chest. ‘I’m feeling decidedly star-struck. You’re my absolute favourite.’
‘Thank you so much,’ Georgie said.
‘I was gutted when you retired. Is this what you do now?’
‘Yeah. I live in Glenbriar and do some coaching work. Kerr and I are engaged.’
‘And, Kerr, you work with Sam and Clara?’ Moira beamed. ‘I’m Sam’s mum in case you’re wondering who this random woman is.’
Kerr grinned, his eyes roaming over the others on the rug. ‘Nice to meet you. And, yeah, I work with Sam and Clara. We’re all teachers, for our sins.’
‘It’s Sam’s birthday,’ Moira went on. ‘We’re having a picnic and some cake.’
‘Sounds great. Happy birthday, man.’ He clapped Sam on the shoulder, then gave Clara an almost questioning look – one that seemed to say: and why are you here?
‘Thank you,’ Sam said.
Clara fidgeted with the cuff of her lightweight cardi, perhaps wondering if she should explain herself. But why? It was none of Kerr’s business really, especially as Kerr spent a lot of time out of school with Eddie – friendships with colleagues outside of workwere fine. But Sam was painfully aware that this must look like a lot more than that.
‘Well, have a great time.’ Kerr gave them all a broad smile.
‘It was nice to meet you,’ Georgie said to Moira, who gazed on in awe.
‘And you, dear. It’s made my day.’
