But if it meant he’d have more of her attention, he’d start singing more often.
The song ended, Marley holding a note that lasted long after the guitar had stopped, and then there was silence. The crowd was dispersing, some looking tired, others high on life and everything that went with it. Jake stretched out on the blanket, his fingers brushing Lainey’s. Most festivals were peaceful, full of laughter rather than fights, something which had appeased the local police when he was submitting planning applications, and right now he was basking in that happy vibe that was free flowing like good wine.
Or Gran’s gin.
“How are you settling into Severton, Lainey?” Sorrell sounded slightly tipsy.
Lainey didn’t move her fingers away from his. “I love it. The scenery’s just amazing and there’s always something to do.”
Jake hoped she meant him.
“You don’t miss living in a city?” Keren had drunk that beer very quickly.
Jake remembered when Keren had been thinking about going to live in Leeds or Manchester, not thinking she’d meet anyone to settle down with in Severton. Then things had happened with her and Scott, and now she seemed content. Happy. Which was a miracle given that Scott was a grumpy bastard.
“No. The animals in a city are the wrong sort. I spent a lot of my summers in a small town and loved being there. Loved being in a place where everyone knew each other and looked out for each other, even if they didn’t always get on. I don’t need to live in a city. Tried it, don’t need to do it again.” She sounded content, a happiness to her tone that made him relax.
“The only problem about small towns is the lack of choice of men.” Keren had sat up a little taller. “If you’re not bothered about settling down or having kids, then it doesn’t matter too much, I suppose…”
“Keren’s drunk, by the way.” Sorrell grasped her sister-in-law’s wrist. “Don’t encourage her.”
“Severton has plenty of single men to choose from.” Olly half laughed. “Don’t brainwash every woman that moves here into thinking that the local fruit isn’t the sweetest.”
“What the fuck?” Jake almost spat out his beer through his nose. “‘The local fruit isn’t the sweetest’? What the fuck are you going on about?”
Olly shrugged. “I’m just saying; if Lainey’s interested in dating there are enough single men about.”
There was a long pause with no one breaking it until Marley started laughing.
“We have the auction coming up. Maybe more of these single males you speak of should put themselves forward as a lot, and not just Jake.” Marley had put down her guitar and had started to collect the empty beer bottles.
Jake frowned. He’d forgotten he’d signed up to do that. There was no way he’d be taking anyone other than Lainey on a date, that he knew for sure. But withdrawing from it would lead to the town starting up gossip about him, and he knew it wouldn’t take much for them to put two and two together and possibly make four.
“I’m not going to humiliate Jake in that way. Wouldn’t want to outshine him with how much more my bids would add up to.” Olly smirked. “Are we heading home?”
There was a flurry of activities as the bottles were collected and taken to one of the plastic recycling centres. Lainey was standing away from him, finishing a conversation with Sorrell that sounded too much like work.
Jake folded up the blankets they’d been sitting on, the manager in charge tonight touching base as he walked past, giving him the head’s up that all had gone well.
Tomorrow was going to be another busy day. He knew some of Lainey’s cousins were up for the weekend; they’d opted for the yurt experience rather than staying in her farmhouse, and although he wanted everything to be a success anyway, Jake really wanted it to be faultless.
Sorrell and Keren headed towards the track that led to the road, the rest following. Jake shouted out a quick goodnight, he and Lainey needing to go in the opposite direction to get home. There were a few more words exchanged, the banter that would only come from a drunk Olly bouncing back to Jake, and that was the evening over.
For now.
The noise of the campsites died away as he and Lainey crossed the fields towards their farmhouses. There would be a continued murmuring of noise while the festival carried on, a reminder that no one was ever fully alone. When they had less distance to cover than what they’d done to get home, Jake felt Lainey reach for his hand.
“You can do that anytime, you know.” He wasn’t sure if his words would reassure her or add pressure.
“I know. And for the record, Severton does have a man I’m interested in.”
“Good. Are you staying with him tonight, by any chance?”
“Absolutely. Your place or mine?”
He didn’t care. Right now, as long as he had her, they could be in a barn.
So that was exactly where he took her first.
