Chapter 14
‘So, Bunty is going on a narrowboat holiday,’ Jasmine explained to Robin as he came back from the bar and placed their drinks on the table.
‘Is she?’ replied Robin, after taking a gulp of his pint.
‘Yes, she said Perry sold the whole idea to her.’
‘I thought narrowboats were just for summer holidays,’ said Robin.
‘Oh no, any season can be a holiday for narrowboaters,’ Jasmine exclaimed with passion.
‘Really?’ Robin frowned, not really getting it.
‘Absolutely, Bunty and Perry are going to Chester. It’ll be gorgeous, brisque walks in the bright autumn sunshine, all the colourful leaves, hot toddies by an open fire. I think it sounds… dreamy,’ Jasmine looked wistfully into the distance.
Robin assessed her and remained silent. Was she thinking of happy times in the past with Tom, her late husband, on their narrowboat? He took another long gulp of his beer. It was at times like this when he really didn’t know how to react. He felt a mixture of emotions, ranging from jealousy to sympathy. Was Jasmine with him by default? If Tom were still here… then what? Guilt started to jab at him by having such thoughts. It wasn’t poor Jasmine’s fault for being in this position, and she’d never given him reason to believe he was second best.
‘What are you thinking?’ she asked, observing his pensive face.
He shook out of his reverie. ‘Oh… nothing.’ He averted his eyes, trying to avoid her direct gaze.
‘Yes, you were,’ she gently accused.
Robin’s eyes met hers.
‘You were thinking about me, living with Tom on our boat, weren’t you?’ Jasmine asked him softly.
‘Yeah.’ He nodded.
‘It was another life, Robin,’ she said quietly.
‘But… do you –’ he stopped himself.
‘Do I what?’
He heaved a sigh, finding it difficult to ask. ‘Do you wish he was here, instead of me?’ He swallowed.
Jasmine breathed in deeply, anticipating a question of this kind. She reached out and held his hand. Looking into his eyes, she answered sincerely.
‘Before I met you, I wished Tom was with me every day, of course I did. But no amount of wishing could ever bring him back. In time, I learnt that I had to deal with life and what it throws at you. Thank God, it threw you at me. I could never compare; you and Tom are separate entities, different people, at a different time in my life.’
‘I see,’ Robin answered in a small voice.
‘But,’ continued Jasmine, making him look up sharply, ‘if you’re asking me do I love you as much as I did my late-husband, then yes. I love you very much, Robin.’ Emotion made her eyes glisten.
This declaration caused a lump to form in Robin’s throat.
‘And I love you,’ he replied in a hoarse voice.
‘Wow! You’re going on the boat for a… holiday,’ exclaimed Emma, totally surprised to hear her dad’s news. She refrained from teasing him by saying, ‘for a dirty weekend’.
‘Is that all right with you, Emma?’ asked Perry, somewhat guardedly. He half thought she might take offence, as he’d done the same with her mum.
‘Of course it is,’ came the instant reply, ‘I’m pleased for you.’
Perry smiled wryly to himself, his trip would probably be the last thing on Emma’s mind, still, he needed to know his daughter didn’t bother about him being away.
This was true, her mind being somewhat occupied with other pressing matters, like having a stalker on the scene. She had decided not to tell her dad about the Anika Genness business, not wanting him to worry, which he inevitably would. Why ruin his holiday with Bunty?
