He steadied himself before replying. ‘I do. A boy and a girl. Well, a man and a woman now. They’re in their late twenties.’ He could hardly believe it when he thought about it. His children had grown up while he was busy looking the other way. ‘How about you?’ he asked, anxious to change the subject. ‘Do you have children?’
‘One,’ she said. ‘A daughter, Jenna. She’s a teacher, too. And I have twin granddaughters. They’re seven.’
‘Oh wow! You’re a grandma!’ He puffed out his cheeks. ‘I still can’t get my head around us being old enough to be parents, let alone grandparents.’
‘I know! And look at us. We’ve hardly changed a bit,’ she said, her large, pale blue eyes twinkling. ‘So what do you do now? Are you still running the property company with your friend? Where are you based?’
He bit his lip, wondering how to answer her questions. Should he be flattered that she was interested? Or was she just looking for something to talk about?
‘I got out of the business a few years ago,’ he said finally. ‘It’s based in Oxfordshire, where I lived, but it’s not for me any more.’
‘So what do you do then?’ she asked. ‘Only, with you inheriting Watersmeet… I mean, do you intend to stay here?’
He tried to sound casual. ‘Why not? Mum wanted me to have the place and to look after the animals, so I may as well do that. As for work, well, right now I’m not. Working, I mean. There’s plenty of time to figure out if I want to do something else with my life. At the moment I’m not sure. I’m at a bit of a crossroads.’
‘It’s, nice though,’ she said. ‘That you can take your time while you figure it out.’
‘Yes,’ he said heavily. ‘I suppose it is. I’m very lucky.’
‘And Watersmeet is so beautiful,’ she said. ‘It’s always been my favourite house in the village. Not that I’ve ever seen inside it, but it looks lovely from the front gate and from the footpath.’
‘Shall we order some food?’ he asked, passing her a menu.
She looked confused for a moment, then nodded. ‘Oh yes, sure. I totally forgot about eating.’
They perused the menu for a few minutes, each trying to decide which dish they fancied and whether they should choose from the main menu or go for a special.
In the end, Mac ordered a burger and fries, and Alison said she’d just have the chicken salad as she really wasn’t that hungry.
Mac placed his order at the bar and carried two fresh glasses of Coke back to the table.
‘Shouldn’t be long,’ he said.
She thanked him for the drink and said he really must tell her how much she owed him because she’d happily go halves.
‘It’s on me,’ he said, thinking of his monthly allowance which had just gone into his account.
‘No, I couldn’t possibly!’
‘I insist.’
‘Well…’ Alison tilted her head to one side, and he thought for a moment that she looked just the same as that cheeky young girl he’d known and loved back in primary school. She’d always been so pretty. ‘In that case, we’ll have to do this again some time, so I can pay for you!’
‘You’re on.’ He smiled at her, his mind racing almost as quickly as his pulse, suddenly. ‘I don’t suppose…’
What was he thinking? Making friends with someone was one thing, but getting too involved was a bad idea. Was this pushing it?
‘What?’ she asked curiously. ‘Go on.’
‘Well, you said you’d never seen Watersmeet. I was wondering if you’d like to visit and have a look around? I can introduce you to the animals. You’d have to see them to believe them.’
Her eyes lit up. ‘Really? I’d love to!’ She hesitated. ‘I know this sounds cheeky, but would I be able to bring Rosie?’
‘Rosie? Oh, your cousin?’ He hardly knew what to say to that strange request. ‘I, er, suppose so. Any particular reason?’
‘She’s always wanted to see inside Watersmeet,’ she confessed. ‘And if I go and she doesn’t, she’s going to be proper miffed. Do you mind? Really?’
He couldn’t help but laugh. ‘No, I don’t mind at all. She’d be very welcome. Are you free tomorrow?’
