Chapter 22
‘She kissed you?’ Jack’s eyebrows wriggled mischievously.
‘Yeah, she kissed me,’ replied Robin.
‘Where?’ He winked.
‘On the cheek,’ Robin answered flatly.
‘Oh.’ Jack visibly deflated.
‘She was pissed,’ Robin continued, making his friend burst into laughter. Jack soon stopped at seeing Robin so pensive.
‘Come on then, Rob, tell me all about this bizarre dinner party.’
He put his rubber mallet down. The two were in the new kitchen diner. Having installed the wood burner and the new kitchen units, they were now busy laying quarry tiles on the floor. Robin got up, reached for his flask and poured them each a coffee.
‘Bizarre’s the word, Jack, you should have seen what Bunty was wearing, she looked like some kind of flapper girl.’
Jack spluttered into his drink.
‘But bloody hell, the dress Jasmine had on…’
‘Sexy?’
‘Was it ever,’ Robin stared lustfully into space. ‘Anyway, after lots of champagne we all go upstairs to bed…’
‘Interesting, go on,’ urged Jack.
‘Bunty waltzes off and leaves me and Jasmine on the landing. She thinks she’s upset Bunty over this Perry business—’
‘The guy in the photographs?’
‘Yeah, Bunty’s old flame. So I sat down on the chaise lounge next to Jasmine to console her.’
‘And?’
‘Well, I assured her that she’d only acted with the best of intentions and that Bunty wasn’t averse to playing cupid either. I told her everything.’
Jack had long since heard from Robin about Bunty’s plan to matchmake him with Jasmine. He’d not only found it amusing, but was delighted it had resulted in them paying ten grand less for the cottage.
‘And?’
Robin took a sip of coffee, then looked dejectedly at Jack.
‘She found the whole thing ridiculous,’ he dully answered.
‘Why?’ he asked, genuinely puzzled.
Robin shrugged.
‘She just laughed.’
‘But what did she say?’ Jack was beginning to feel a little offended on behalf of his mate.
‘That it was kind of endearing on Bunty’s behalf, but more than anything she found it funny that she’d reduced the asking price of both cottages to carry out her ploy.’
‘Hmm, maybe that’s what she was laughing at, not the thought of being in a relationship with you?’ comforted Jack.
