‘I do appreciate it, don’t get me wrong, but you don’t know me and… well… it’s a big favour, isn’t it, when you’ve got so much on?’ She was still scrutinising his face.
Robin looked down, avoiding eye contact. He was beginning to feel a little put on the spot. What could he say? Tell her that Bunty had basically set them up to meet? That from the moment he had clapped eyes on her, he’d felt an innate compulsion to help her? No, she’d run a mile, and rightly so.
For Jasmine, the penny had just dropped. ‘You may not know me, but you knowaboutme, don’t you?’ It wasn’t an accusation, more a recognition. Her voice was quiet and soft, making Robin shift in his chair awkwardly. There was a silence. Then Robin came clean.
‘Yes, Jasmine, I know about you,’ he answered honestly.
‘I see.’ She gazed out of the kitchen window, chewing her lip. Her hand reached up to clasp the heart pendant on her necklace. Robin sat still, not knowing what to say. ‘I suppose it’s common knowledge. Tom’s death was in the paper after all,’ she said, turning back to him with tears in her eyes.
Robin resisted telling her that he’d in fact learnt from Bunty about her poor husband.
‘I’m so sorry, Jasmine, it must be… awful for you.’ Robin winced at how lame he sounded, but words really did fail him. Still, he pressed on, ‘I would have helped you anyway. We’re neighbours and that’s what neighbours do, isn’t it, help each other?’ he gently replied, then pointing to his plate, ‘You’vemade me dinner, and very nice it is too.’
‘Thanks.’ She gave a shaky smile.
Their eyes met for a moment. Jasmine swallowed, a strange sensation washing over her.
‘Let’s have a top-up.’ Robin took the wine bottle and refilled their glasses. Then he sat back and surveyed the chaos in the kitchen. Jasmine’s lips twitched, guessing what he was thinking. ‘Well, I’ve got my work cut out here, haven’t I?’ he teased, trying to make light of the situation.
‘I’ll be your glamorous assistant,’ she replied dryly.
Robin smiled compassionately whilst admiring this young, beautiful widow, who was valiantly restarting her life. Yes, he was attracted to her, of course he was, but equally he couldn’t help but value her strength in spirit.
Chapter 10
Robin was up early the next morning. Considering he had drunk so much wine the evening before, he was feeling surprisingly cheery. He’d thoroughly enjoyed being at Jasmine’s last night. After her initial question, which had caused a thorny moment, the atmosphere had lifted, conversation had flowed, and it hadn’t been long until another bottle of wine was opened.
As the drink flowed, both Jasmine and Robin had relaxed more in each other’s company. Robin had had her giggling at the scrapes he and Jack had got themselves into as teenagers living in Samphire Bay. Jasmine envied them, having such a beautiful location to grow up in, as well as the strong bond between the two friends. The alcohol had given her enough Dutch courage to be open and frank about Jack.
‘To be honest, I didn’t like the way he was staring out of the kitchen window the other day. Why not come out straight away and introduce himself?’ she’d confessed. This had caused Robin to throw his head back and laugh. ‘What?’ asked Jasmine, perplexed.
‘Because that’s typical Jack,’ he’d replied. ‘He was sussing you out on the quiet.’
This explanation didn’t do anything to mend her opinion of him.
‘What do you mean?’ she asked almost indignantly. Still Robin couldn’t help but laugh.
‘Don’t be offended, Jasmine. He’s just curious about you, that’s all.’
‘Curious, or just plain nosey?’ Jasmine arched an eyebrow.
‘Curious. To be honest, everyone in Samphire Bay will be wanting to know all about you.’ He grinned.
‘Yeah, well, that sounds about right, if the shopkeeper’s anything to go by,’ Jasmine muttered with a heavy dose of sarcasm, ‘not to mention that Bunty Dev… Dev…’ Her head was a touch fuzzy from the wine by this time and she struggled to remember Bunty’s full name.
‘Deville,’ Robin supplied, suddenly looking serious.
‘Hmm, Bunty Deville, she’s a character.’
‘She certainly is,’ agreed Robin quietly. If only Jasmine knew just how much a character Bunty was. How would she react if she knew of Bunty’s attempt to play cupid? Deciding to quickly change the subject, Robin moved the conversation back to Jack. He couldn’t help but think Jasmine had got the wrong impression. Whilst a small part of him was glad Jasmine hadn’t exactly fluttered her eyelashes at Jack, he still didn’t want her to think badly of his best mate. ‘Don’t be too hard on Jack though, he’s a decent bloke.’
‘If you say so,’ Jasmine replied, still unconvinced.
‘No, he is. He wouldn’t be my best mate or business partner otherwise.’
‘I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt then.’ She smiled, not wanting to cause any offence.
‘And it’s only natural for people to be interested in a newcomer to Samphire Bay. You’re new blood,’ he said with a grin.
