Page 46 of Family Secrets in Inishbeg Cove

Lucy stuck her tongue out at Faith as she left the kitchen and made her way down the hallway. Faith opened the door, and was stunned to see Jack standing there. Immediately her heart picked up speed. What was he doing here? She hoped things weren’t going to get awkward.

‘J-Jack,’ she stammered.

‘Hi, Faith. Sorry for calling in unannounced, but I don’t have your number. Heidi found Lucy’s coat the night of the carol service and we wanted to return it to her. It must have got left behind in all the commotion.’

Faith felt relief flood through her that she wasn’t the reason for his visit.

‘Oh, thank you. Come in,’ she said. ‘Lucy is in the kitchen. I’m sure she’ll want to say thanks.’

He followed her down the hall and into the kitchen, where Madeleine and Lucy were still sitting at the table.

‘Hi, Jack,’ Madeleine said.

‘We found this on the night of the carol service. I think it’s yours?’ He held out the coat to Lucy.

‘My coat!’ Lucy cried, standing up and taking it from him. ‘I didn’t even notice I was missing it, but I’m sure I would have been looking for it soon. Thank you, Jack.’

‘No worries. Hope you’re feeling a little better now?’

‘Much better, thank you. I … er … just had low blood sugar.’

‘Well, we’re all glad you’re doing well,’ he said.

‘It’s very kind of you to return it to us,’ Madeleine said. ‘I also feel like we owe the villagers an apology for ruining their evening.’

Jack shook his head. ‘Everyone is just glad that Lucy is okay.’ Silence fell heavily between them and he shuffled awkwardly. ‘Right, then. I guess I’d better head on.’

‘Faith will see you out,’ Madeleine said. ‘I’m still slow getting around on these things.’

Faith opened the door and Jack stepped outside, beneath the inky sky. Although it wasn’t even 5 p.m. yet, the evenings closed in early at this time of year. It was a cool, crisp night and the smell of woodsmoke rising up the chimney, scented the air. He turned back around and raised his eyebrows sheepishly.

‘I … er … didn’t come here just to drop off the coat,’ he admitted. ‘I wanted to check if everything was okay between us?’

She couldn’t look at him, knowing her face would betray her. ‘Of course,’ she replied as breezily as she could.

‘Well, it’s just that you left quite abruptly yesterday. I hope I didn’t say something wrong?’

She shook her head. ‘It’s fine. I was just tired and wanted to get home.’

He nodded. ‘Well, that’s okay then. Right so…’ He lingered on the doorstep. ‘I guess I’d better head on. Goodnight, Faith.’

‘Goodnight,’ she replied, closing the door behind him.

‘What a nice young man,’ Madeleine said as soon as Faith returned to the kitchen.

‘Hmm,’ Faith grumbled. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever understand men.’

‘What’s wrong?’ Madeleine was puzzled. ‘Did something happen between you?’

‘It’s a long story,’ she mumbled.

‘Well, one thing I have plenty of at the moment is time. It’s not like I’ve anything else on.’

‘Mum’s right,’ Lucy chimed in. ‘Tell us what happened.’

Faith exhaled heavily before beginning. ‘Well, when I left yesterday – you know I went up the headland? I … um … I met Jack up there.’

‘And?’