‘It’s lovely to meet you,’ Lara said when she was released.
‘You too. I won’t tell you how wonderful you are, because I suspect you’re tired of hearing it, but if this village had such a thing as a key to the kingdom, you’d be getting one. How about a Full English instead?’
Lara laughed, grateful to be spared the need to reel off her standard phrase.
‘That sounds perfect.’
‘Tell Tom to hurry back,’ Maud said to Jasper, squeezing his arm with clear and genuine affection in her tone and on her face. ‘Full English for you too? As if I need to ask.’
Jasper returned the affectionate smile but he pulled away when she reached out to ruffle his hair.
‘He hates that,’ said Maud. ‘Which is why I do it every chance I get.’ She winked at him and he shook his head with amusement.
‘Let’s sit here.’ He pointed to a booth directly opposite the serving area and the kitchen beyond.
Lara sat on one side of the booth and Jasper sat on the other. It overlooked the street and Lara was surprised by the hustle and bustle.
‘The village is busy this morning. Is it always like this at this time of year?’
‘You should see it in the summer. Packed to the gills.’
‘I have,’ she said.
‘When?’
‘Didn’t Tom tell you?’
‘No. Not that I remember. And I think I would remember that. Oh wait. He did mention that he owned a painting by your mum, and that it was of the cottages.’
Lara explained about the holiday, the boat trip, and the painting. She also told him how her parents had died. But she didn’t tell him it was on her sixteenth birthday. She didn’t know why she kept that part back. Perhaps because her thirtieth was approaching fast and she still found it a little unsettling.
‘I’m so sorry, Lara. That must’ve been devastating.’
‘It was.’
‘Did you have a guardian? Tell me to mind my own business if you want to.’
She had thought she might. Instead, she found herself telling him about her life with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Just the parts she told to those who knew her well. Some of it was still too painful to share with anyone. Not even with her best friend, Jenny.
‘They sound awful,’ he said. ‘No wonder you bought the flats as soon as you could.’
‘I still can’t believe my aunt is … was … my mum’s sister. They couldn’t be more different if they tried. Aunt Deb was an only child and was spoilt rotten until my mum was born. I can’t be sure, but I believe my aunt resented Mum from the start. She definitely didn’t like me. But let’s not talk about them. It’s a beautiful day, and the smells coming from that kitchen are divine.’
He studied her face for a moment with a serious look in his eyes, and then he smiled. ‘I told you,’ he said. ‘Best Full English on the planet.’
‘What about you?’ Lara looked him in the eye. ‘One of the men working at the cottage told me your dad worked for Tom’s construction business before he retired to Spain.’
Jasper visibly tensed. Lara wasn’t the only one with secrets it seemed.
He dropped his gaze and toyed with his cutlery, nudging the knife forward and back in silence for a second or two. Then he took a deep breath and met her look.
‘I suppose it’s only fair. You told me about your family.’
‘You don’t have to tell me. I know sometimes it’s difficult to share stuff like this.’
He held her gaze. ‘No. I want to tell you. When I was at school, I helped Gran in here in the school holidays, and I loved it. Dad wanted me to work with him and Gramps at Bright Bonn Construction, so I did that too, and I loved it just as much. But Mum wanted me to go to university. I can remember the arguments she and Dad had about it. Gramps told me I must do whatever felt right for me, as did Gran. Dad insisted I join the family firm. Mum insisted I go to uni. Neither of them asked me what I wanted.’
‘What did you want?’ Lara asked when he stopped and let out a long sigh.
