One night, though – nearly a week after Jenna started working at the pub – her mum wasn’t smiling when she got home. In fact, she looked very concerned.
‘I’m so sorry, love, but we’ve got a bit of a problem. I won’t be able to mind the twins for you tomorrow night. Do you think Sam will give you the evening off?’
Jenna looked from her mum to Mac. ‘Not really. I mean, I suppose he would, but I know he needs me and it wouldn’t really be fair to drop him in it at such short notice. What’s the problem?’
‘It’s not a problem as such,’ her mum said, her gaze sliding towards Mac.
‘What it is, Jenna,’ Mac said, ‘is that your Uncle Christopher and Auntie Elaine are taking your gran and grandad and us to a show at the New Theatre in Hull, and we don’t feel as if we can refuse.’
‘It was going to be a surprise, you see,’ Mum explained. ‘And when they bought the tickets, they didn’t know you’d be staying in Kelsea Sands or working at the pub, did they? So, it’s all a bit awkward…’
‘It’s okay,’ Jenna reassured her. ‘Honestly, don’t worry about it. Maybe Rosie can?—’
‘We’ve already asked Rosie, but of course she’s working a shift at the chippy in Millensea tomorrow evening, so she can’t have them. Otherwise, she said, she’d love to have babysat for you.’
‘Right.’ Jenna frowned. ‘I wonder if Niall and Kendra could have them overnight? They mentioned a sleepover, didn’t they?’
‘Niall and Kendra are going out for a meal in that Michelin-starred restaurant we were reading about in the paper the other day,’ Mum said apologetically. ‘It’s their wedding anniversary. August 1, remember? Yorkshire Day. And you know how Niall likes to make a fuss of Kendra. Ryan’s keeping an eye on Poppy for them, but we can’t really ask him to mind seven-year-old twins, can we?’
‘They’d run rings round him,’ Jenna agreed. ‘Well, that’s that then. I guess I’ll have to tell Sam.’
‘I’m so sorry, Jenna,’ Mum said, clearly feeling terrible. ‘Especially since he’s letting you come in late on Tuesday when you have that dental appointment.’
‘Mum, honestly, don’t worry about it. He’ll understand. It couldn’t be helped and it’s not your problem. Sam’s not the type to get annoyed, is he? Just go and have a wonderful time.’
Sam, though, had other ideas when she broke the news to him the next morning. She’d nipped out early and knocked on the side door of The North Star. He let her in, smiling widely to see her there so early.
‘You’re keen. We’re not even open yet and your shift doesn’t start for another nine hours,’ he joked.
‘Sorry, Sam. I won’t be able to make it after all.’ Briefly, she explained the situation to him and he listened patiently as she went through all the people who were unable to babysit that evening.
‘Why don’t you bring them here?’ he asked with a shrug when she’d finally finished telling him everything.
Jenna’s brow furrowed. ‘Here? To the pub?’
‘Why not? I don’t mean to sit in the bar, of course. I mean, upstairs. With Dad. They can watch TV or play on their games. Eat crisps – we’ve plenty of those. They’ll be fine if you don’t mind them having one late night.’
‘One late night won’t kill them,’ Jenna said doubtfully, ‘but what about your dad?’
‘He won’t kill them either,’ Sam said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
‘You know what I mean. Won’t he object to having two young children cluttering up the place while he’s trying to watchCorrie?’
‘Corrie’s not on on a Saturday night,’ he said with a grin. ‘I think they’ll be safe.’ When she continued to look unconvinced, he added, ‘Honestly, Jenna, my dad might be many things, but he’s never mean to kids. He’s got a real soft spot for them, and they’ll be fine with him. And if it makes you feel better you can pop up and check on them whenever you like. Trust me.’
Jenna did trust him, but she still wasn’t sure if it was a good idea.
Mac tried to reassure her, later. ‘Look, your mum and I have known Seb since he was a little boy himself, and he’s got a heart of gold. I know he’s not himself lately, but he’ll be kind to the twins, never worry about that.’
‘Yeah, but will they be kind to him?’ she asked. She knew all too well what a handful they could be if the mood took them. Besides, they might not want to spend the evening in a flat above the pub with a person who was, to all intents and purposes, a stranger to them.
But when she tentatively asked the girls if they’d object to the plan, they made it very clear that they thought it was a brilliant idea. They immediately started packing a little bag to take with them, with all the games and toys they thought Seb would appreciate.
Jenna tried to gently explain that it might be best to leave him to watch TV, but they didn’t agree.
‘Just in case,’ Ada said. ‘You never know, he might not want to watch telly!’
‘You don’t even know him,’ Jenna pointed out.
