‘Funny. No. I’m fine. Wasn’t it sweet of Jasper to notice that I was in pain? Especially when he must’ve been in so much pain himself.’
‘It was. He’s obviously a nice guy.’
‘He is. Which is why I climbed the ladder myself this morning and got inside End Cottage so that I could close the window.’
‘I still can’t believe you did that,’ Lucy said. ‘Why do you keep glancing at your phone?’
‘Erm. Jasper said he’d call me.’
Sam raised his brows. ‘He’s either a masochist, or he’s mad.’
I tutted. ‘To let me know that he’s okay. Not to ask me out or anything. He’d hardly do that now, would he?’
‘He’s a braver man than me, if he does.’
‘Erin’s gorgeous,’ Lucy said in my defence. ‘And it was an accident. Both times.’
Sam laughed. ‘I need to get to work. Lovely to see you, Erin. Try not to kill anyone today.’ He kissed Lucy on the lips and they stared into one another’s eyes.
I let out a little sigh and wondered what Jasper was doing right now.
I almost dropped my phone when the trill of the ringtone startled all three of us.
‘Jasper?’ Lucy and Sam asked in unison.
‘Unknown number,’ I said, squealing with excitement. ‘But it could be anyone.’
‘Here’s a tip,’ said Lucy. ‘Why not answer it and find out?’
I stuck out my tongue and then put on my sexiest voice. ‘Erin speaking. Who’s this?’
‘The burglar from last night. How are you today?’
I bounced up and down on the seat and beamed at Lucy and Sam who looked at one another and silently mouthed the name, Jasper.
‘I’m fine thanks,’ I said, as calmly as I could. ‘More importantly, how are you?’
‘I’m good. Although I appear to have two black eyes. But hey. At least my nose has been reset. And they assure me the bruises will disappear and my nose will heal in three weeks. Just in time for my cousin’s wedding. So yay!’
‘Yay!’ I repeated. ‘Do you need anything? Are they letting you out today?’
‘Yeah. They told me I could go home after the doc has done his rounds. And no, thanks. I don’t need anything. Is your shoulder okay this morning?’
‘Yes it’s fine, thanks.’
‘That’s good. Oh, but speaking of letting me out. Am I still under arrest? Only you did caution me last night, and arrest me, I seem to remember. It’s all a bit hazy though so I thought I’d better check.’
I coughed, more with embarrassment than to clear my throat.
‘No. You’re not under arrest. I was clearly mistaken and I sincerely apologise. Erm. There is a complaints procedure should you wish to take the matter further.’
He laughed and then said, ‘Ouch. That hurt. No. I don’t want to take it further. At least, I don’t want to make a complaint. You were just doing your job and what you thought was right. I can understand why you thought what you did. There’s no hard feelings on my part. But I’m sure you’ll understand if I don’t ask you out. Not until I’ve ordered some full body armour and a crash helmet anyway. Oh. I think this lovely young nurse is bringing me a cup of tea and a digestive biscuit, so I’ll say goodbye. Do you know what time they get you up for breakfast in this place? I’m starving again right now.’
A pang of jealously shot through me. Did he just say a lovely young nurse was bringing him tea?
‘You’re a charmer, aren’t you?’ A female voice said. But she didn’t sound young. ‘I’m old enough to be your mother.’ She laughed.
‘Jasper?’
