‘She’s just a friend,’ Mac said hastily. ‘Actually, we weren’t even that at school. I don’t think she liked me very much.’
‘Well, she must like you now, or why would she bother going to Watersmeet to look around?’ He gave Mac a knowing look. ‘Or go out for burgers with you at The North Star.’
‘How did you…?’ Mac sighed. ‘Briar Chambers. Though actually, only I had the burger.’
‘So, anything in it?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘But shedoeslike you, whatever your relationship was like when you were at school. She’s actively chosen to spend time with you. Promising, eh?’
Mac laughed. ‘You’re incorrigible.’
‘Tea’s ready!’ Tricia called from the kitchen. ‘Evan, can you give me a hand with these plates?’
Evan tutted. ‘Never get a minute’s peace with that one. Up and down, up and down, like a bloody yoyo.’ He winked at Mac and ambled into the kitchen.
Mac shook his head, deciding the Joneses were some of the nicest people he’d ever met. And Alison?
Maybe, he mused, Evan had a point. However indifferent she’d been – at best – during their schooldays, it seemed she wasn’t averse to his company any longer.
Just as a friend, obviously.
Feeling a sudden optimism, he got to his feet and headed towards the table.
18
Tuesday 24 February – Project Alison Day 24: Had black coffee with no sugar today and for the first time I actually enjoyed it! We’re having chicken and vegetables for tea tonight, but I’m pretty sure that Rosie’s going to be stuffing her face when she gets to work. Can’t say I blame her. I’d sell my mother for a portion of haddock and chips.
Alison and Rosie were walking arm in arm along the beach. Alison had just finished cleaning the caravan, while Rosie had spent the morning cleaning the pub, and was due to head off to the chippy in Millensea after tea for the evening shift. They were making the most of their free time and, rather than slobbing out in front of the television, Rosie had insisted that they go for a walk instead.
‘Walking on the sand burns off twice as many calories as walking on the pavement. That’s got to be a good thing for you, hasn’t it?’ She squeezed Alison’s arm. ‘You’re doing ever so well,’ she said proudly. ‘I still can’t believe you resisted those thick, chocolatey biscuits Mac offered us at Watersmeet. They were absolutely yummy. Do you think he believed you when you said you didn’t want to spoil your tea?’
‘He must think I’m a paragon of virtue,’ Alison said with a laugh. ‘When he took me out for tea at the pub that day, I only had chicken salad. I didn’t even have the dressing that should have gone with it. He must think I eat like a bird.’
‘I’m really proud of you,’ Rosie told her. ‘You’ve got more willpower than I’d ever have. Have you heard anything from him, by the way?’
Alison nudged her. ‘Why would I? No, as a matter of fact, I haven’t.’ She sighed. ‘And I haven’t heard anything from Jenna either, which is more worrying. I hope she’s okay. What if she’s struggling? What if she hasn’t found anyone to mind the twins?’
‘If she hadn’t,’ Rosie said firmly, ‘she’d have been in touch with you by now, believe me. Stop worrying about her. It’s not your problem. Especially not after what that prat Joel said.’
‘I do miss her and the girls, though,’ Alison admitted. ‘I’m not used to going so long without seeing them. I feel as if a part of me is missing.’
Rosie squeezed her arm sympathetically. ‘It won’t be like this forever,’ she told her. ‘You wait and see. Jenna will be in touch before long, I’ll guarantee it.’ Her eyes twinkled. ‘I’ll bet Mac is, too. I mean, he wants his garden sorting if nothing else.’
‘Yeah, thanks for suggesting that.’ Alison shook her head. ‘Like I said, subtle as a brick.’
‘What’s wrong with that? He’s got a garden he doesn’t know what to do with, and you’re a person with a passion for gardening but no garden to work on. You’re a match made in heaven, if you ask me.’
‘Hardly.’
They’d been walking quite a way, and as if of one mind they stopped and turned around, heading back the way they’d come.
‘What did you think of him? Really?’ Rosie asked. ‘He seemed nice to me. Calming. Gentle. I really liked him, did you?’
‘He’s very nice,’ Alison said hesitantly. She didn’t want to give Rosie any more daft ideas, after all. ‘I think he’s been very lucky though, don’t you? Had a charmed life really.’
Rosie frowned. ‘I don’t see how. His mam’s just died! Also, he’s fallen out with his sister, and he’s divorced. Hardly sounds like a charmed life to me.’
