‘They can.’
‘So we look him up on Facebook,’ said Amy. ‘Where’s my laptop?’
There were an awful lot of people with the same name as Jago’s friend so Amy suggested they looked up Jago – in fact she had done it almost before Helena had realised her intention.
Helena wasn’t really happy with what Amy was doing – it felt like prying. She and Jago had no secrets between them and somehow looking him up on Facebook without asking felt wrong. But she knew an open objection, or a protest that she didn’t want to, would just encourage Amy in her investigations so she yawned instead.
‘I don’t know about you, Amy, but I’m done in. Can we do all this detective work tomorrow? Or maybe when we’re back home? We’ve got another very long day tomorrow and then we have to drive home.’
‘Oh,’ said Amy, looking disappointed. ‘I expect you’re right.’
‘And tomorrow is another day – you might meet the man of your dreams IRL – In Real Life,’ Helenaadded with emphasis, just in case Amy was too tired to understand the initials.
‘Yeah, right. I could meet a sheep farmer who knits his own hot-water-bottle covers out of old birds’ nests – how sexy is that?’
‘I think that could be perfectly sexy. But right now I need a shower and bed.’
She also wanted time alone so she could think about Jago uninterrupted.
The following day was similar to the first. There was lots of meeting up with old friends as well as new people coming along, asking tentative questions. Amy and Helena decided to arrange a few more workshops as so many people seemed keen to learn from them. They also wanted to know how to create the wall hangings Helena had made principally because they were relatively quick to make compared to the gossamer-fine silk scarves she had produced for Springtime, which looked so beautiful and took so long.
As they’d sold everything except the wall hangings that had attracted so much attention, they decided to pack up early. Helena was longing to get back to Jago although she didn’t confess this to Amy. It didn’t seem fair when Amy had no one.
Helena had always felt perfectly contented without a man in her life. She hadn’t felt incomplete, or in need of validation, or lonely, but now she hadfound love (she’d stopped pretending it was anything other than love) she felt this incredible happiness. And while she appeared to be the same, a normal, hardworking woman, in her head she thought of nothing but Jago. She hadn’t believed such love was possible – at least for her.
And because she was so happy she wanted Amy to be as happy, and so she resolved to introduce her to Jago’s friend James as soon as she could. It was unlikely they would be as perfect for each other as she and Jago, but they might go on a few enjoyable dates. It could be fun for all for them.
Jago must have come out of the house the moment he heard Helena’s car arrive in the yard. It was nine o’clock at night – Helena had taken Amy home on the way back from the show – and she was exhausted. But her heart lifted the moment she saw Jago’s frame coming towards the car. She opened her window and he leaned into it as if he wanted to pull out through it into his arms.
His kiss, his smell, the feeling of his cheek rough against hers made her weak with longing.
‘Let me get out!’ she protested, frustrated by the limitations of their situation.
She almost fell into his arms and he held her so tight she couldn’t breathe – she didn’t want to breathe – she just wanted to stay in his arms forever and ever.
But eventually she pulled free. ‘Maybe we should get into the house?’
‘Of course,’ he said apologetically, ‘it’s just I’ve missed you so much. Are you hungry?’
The kitchen was warm and full of savoury smells and Helena realised how happy it made her just to be in it. ‘I know this isn’t the most top-end finished kitchen in the world,’ she said, ‘but it’s welcoming and spacious and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame,’ said Jago, taking something out of the oven. ‘I was hoping there were other rooms in this house that you like.’
She smiled at him, hoping she didn’t look quite as soppy as she felt. ‘I like lots of rooms.’
‘Just as well. Now you sit there. I’m about to feed you and give you wine.’
‘Amy and I drank a bit too much last night,’ said Helena, taking the large glass he offered her. She took a sip. ‘But it wasn’t anything like as nice as this.’
‘This is a special bottle – to celebrate your return.’
‘Jago! I was only away two nights.’
‘I know. But I missed you. Now, how hungry are you?’
‘Very.’
As they ate they discussed the show. ‘So it was a success? Worth all the work?’ said Jago, dipping bread into the gravy of the chicken tagine.
