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‘It will be fine,’ Jay said firmly. ‘There won’t be any awkwardness with Rocco.’
‘I was actually meaning—’
‘Si, could you go clean up the worktop,’ Jay interrupted. ‘Cole will be back any minute with the food. You know how he hates a mess.’
Si looked behind him at the very cluttered kitchen island. ‘Yeah, don’t want him starting his usual mithering.’ He sighed and pushed himself off the doorway. ‘See you tomorrow, Frankie!’
Frankie watched as Si sauntered over to the kitchen island to survey the mess before picking up a magazine and flicking through it.
Jay took a step out of the kitchen and pulled the door almost fully shut behind him. The small chunk of light played against the planes of his face, giving him an almost ethereal glow and Frankie had to stop herself reaching up to trace the strong angle of his cheekbone.
‘I’m sorry, Frankie. I thought they’d have left by now. You don’t have to invite them. I could just say it’s been called off.’
But Frankie very badly wanted Jay to come, mainly so he and Rocco could clear the air, but also because she wanted to see Jay. If that meant he brought his bandmates, so be it.
‘They’re very welcome.’
‘Thanks.’
There was a moment of silence and Jay looked down at his feet.
‘It’s good you’re writing music together,’ Frankie said. ‘I’d love to hear anything new you’re working on.’
‘It’s a long way from being ready.’ He looked quite uncomfortable talking about his new song. ‘It’s just something I started a few months ago and picked back up again.’
‘Sounds good.’ She tried to keep any disappointment from her voice. ‘I should go.’ She turned to leave.
‘Frankie?’
She turned back.
Jay stood, hands in pockets. There were a few beats before he said, ‘Thanks for walking Toffee.’
‘No problem.’
And Frankie left him and walked back to the van. She was happy for Jay, who had seemingly broken his musical block, but she also felt desperately sad. Writing songs would lead to another album, and then a tour which would, once again, take Jay from Drumkeldy.
She sighed as she got up into her van.
Just when she’d been getting used to him being here.
CHAPTER 33
FRANKIE
Valentina came over to the dining table and reached for one of the mince pies Frankie was plating up and got a brisk tap to the back of the hand with the pair of tongs.
‘Too hot! You’ll burn your mouth.’
Valentina threw her a disappointed look. ‘But they smell so good straight out of the oven.’ Valentina sniffed the air. ‘And so does the mulled wine.’
‘You can have some of that. The non-alcoholic one is in the orange saucepan.’
‘I know,’ she leant in closer to Frankie, ‘but it doesn’t smell nearly as nice as the alcoholic one.’ She sighed. ‘But it’ll do.’
A clanking and jangling noise heralded Rocco’s arrival as he stepped inside carrying a case of beer with carrier bags dangling from his wrists either side of the box.
‘Bit of help?’
