She said to Jade, ‘You don’t have to travel all the way to London to see a show. You can come here with Milo.’ She had a feeling they could bury the hatchet and be friends, just like Jake and Oliver had managed to do.
‘I know. I’m looking forward to your next show already. I hope you star in it too. You’re an amazing stage actress.’
Bridie sensed there was something else Jade wanted to get off her chest. Bridie raised her eyebrows in the awkward silence. ‘It was you, wasn’t it? You were there at my last performance in London. You posted it on social media.’
‘I don’t regret it.’
Bridie looked at her, surprised.
Jade offered up a satisfied grin. She lowered her voice. ‘If you hadn’t come back, it isn’t only the theatre that would still be closed, but so would Jack’s heart – to me. He needed to put the past behind him, to move on.’
‘You mean putmebehind him.’
Jade nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘And I, him,’ Bridie admitted.
‘I know. I’m so glad you did. Oliver loves you. He always has. Jack knew that. We had a conversation …’
Jade told her everything that her and Jack had talked about standing outside the cottage next door to the theatre.
‘I heard that giving the cottage next door, to me and Oliver, was your idea, Jade.’
‘Oh, you should have seen his face when I suggested it.’
Bridie could imagine it was the last thing Jack expected from her. ‘He’s going to be spending time with me doing it up. Is that all right? It’s not just going to be me. Oliver will be there too.’
Jade’s smile said she was no longer worried about her husband spending time with Bridie. ‘It’s fine. I’m looking forward to seeing the place when it’s done.’
‘Good,’ said Bridie, ‘because I was thinking of having a little housewarming when the cottage is completed.’
‘Then I shall be very happy to come.’ She looked down at Milo standing by her side. ‘Come on, Milo. Say goodbye to Bridie. We will see her again soon.’
Milo stayed rooted to the spot. He looked up at Bridie. ‘Can I have a part in your next show?’
Bridie shifted her attention to Milo’s mum. ‘If your mum agrees.’
Jade looked at her son. ‘Of course you can, my little star.’
Bridie suddenly had a thought. ‘Milo, how would you like to star inthisproduction?’
His eyes lit up. ‘Really?’
Bridie told Jade, ‘I think this production is going to have a long run, and I’ll need another actor to play Oliver.’
Jade said, ‘Seriously – the lead?’
‘He’ll need to audition.’
‘Of course,’ Jade said. ‘Just tell me when.’
They agreed on the next weekend.
As Jade turned to go, she said, ‘Thank you, Bridie. You’ve made Milo’s day. And mine.’
Oliver appeared by Bridie’s side. ‘Come on. There’s someone here to see you.’ He took her hand.
‘Oh, Grandad! You came!’ He had been sitting in the seat she’d reserved for him.
