Within a few minutes, Calum sent a reply:
Deffo!
Tara smiled reading the text.
‘He wants to come with us, Jack.’ She turned to face him, beaming.
‘Good,’ he replied with a wink.
Jack had been desperate to cheer Tara up. Knowing how much the court hearing date played on her mind, he was keen to distract her. What she needed was somefun, and he was the person to supply it. Once the court proceedings were over and she wasn’t so stressed, then he’d ask the questions burning inside him. Until then, he’d do his best to make sure Tara was as happy as possible.
Neither of them could deny the satisfaction they felt at seeing Calum bounce cheerfully out of Richard’s house. Nor at the venomous glare Richard gave them.
‘Hi, Jack,’ said Calum, eyes lighting up at the sporty car with the roof down.
‘Hiya, mate, how’s it going?’ replied Jack, before starting up the engine with a defiant rev (purely for Richard’s benefit). They sped off, leaving him furious at the doorway.
The day had been a resounding success. True to his word, Jack had supplied endless fun. He had them laughing all the way to the Pleasure Beach, singing along to the tunes in his car. Calum had been impressed with his choice of music, dubbing him ‘cool’ once again.
Tara hadn’t enjoyed herself so much in a long, long time. It was a most welcome change, being able to relax and really let herself go. Having such a demanding job, not to mention domestic life, made her appreciate the effort Jack had made, not just for her but for Calum too.
After a truly fun-packed day, when they had squealed at the rides, spun on the waltzers, ridden the dodgems and eaten doughnuts, it was time to go home. Calum was practically asleep on the back seat as they drove back to Samphire Bay. A deeporange-pink sun was slowly starting to set by the time they arrived at Augusta House. Jack pulled into the car park and turned to face Tara.
‘Thanks, Jack,’ she said looking into his eyes.
‘My pleasure,’ he smiled.
‘No, really, thank you so much. Calum’s loved it today, so have I.’
They both turned to look at him sleeping peacefully now, then faced each other again. Instinctively their lips met for a gentle kiss, which soon progressed into a passionate one. Tara reached forward as Jack pulled her further into his arms. He felt an overwhelming urge to protect her. Tara’s heart was pounding, having not experienced such a gut reaction before. Their actions were visceral, a primeval force to touch each other. They were interrupted by Calum, who was beginning to wake, and parted.
‘Mum? Where… Oh…’ He rubbed his eyes, fully roused now.
‘Back now, buddy,’ said Jack with a smile.
‘Thanks, again,’ said Tara and got out of the car somewhat shakily, still alarmed at the way her body had responded to Jack. Calum joined her and they waved him off.
All the way home, Jack couldn’t help the fixed grin that refused to disappear.
