‘Ladies and gentleman and members of the Dooley clan,’ announced Cormac loudly to much good-natured heckling. ‘The wedding buffet is now open for business.’
‘Sorry, what?’ asked Beth, her eyes searching Jack’s for a clue to where the end of that sentence was going but Jack was already being pulled away by Rhonda.
After far too much to eat, possibly too much champagne and a bellyful of laughter at the speeches, Beth found she was one of a few that had wandered outside. She sipped her almost empty champagne flute while she gazed at the sparkling fairy lights and the spectacle of the tents all lit up against the deep blueberry night sky. She was thinking about Budgie’s speech; he had signed and Fergus had translated and he had made it both poignant and comic in equal measure, quite an accomplishment. She discovered the reason he kept laughing at her was her incorrect signing during ‘Amazing Grace’. Apparently instead of ‘… I was blind but now I see …’ Beth had signed ‘… I was pissed …’ which was an easy mistake but quite a funny one. And if nothing else it had everyone in the tent learning a little sign language just so they could repeat the joke.
Beth was suddenly aware of someone standing behind her. She knew it was Jack without even turning round.
‘One question about earlier. What did you do to Nick’s car?’ she asked, still staring at the hypnotic fairy lights.
‘I jammed the frequency of his key fob signal. Simple device really. I have a question for you. Who are Zack and Paula?’ asked Jack, his breath warm against her neck making her whole body shudder.
She twisted to see he was standing very close. ‘I’m shocked that you don’t know,’ said Beth, stepping back a little to give herself some space, the scent of his fading aftershave heightening her senses.
‘I know they must be a couple from some romantic film but …’
Beth shook her head at him teasingly. ‘They were the characters in An Officer and a Gentleman.’
‘Right,’ said Jack with a pout, looking like it wasn’t ringing any bells.
‘Richard Gere and Debra Winger?’ said Beth and Jack nodded. ‘It’s such a great film about ordinary people escaping their past, achieving their dreams against all the odds and finding true love.’ She realized she was gabbling. ‘And the ending is perfect.’ She took a sip from her empty glass and was grateful that it was dark because she knew her neck was starting to colour up.
‘Huh, never seen it,’ said Jack, taking a sip from a full pint of Guinness.
‘Then we need to fix that sometime soon.’ He was studying her intently; perhaps he could see her turning red even in this light?
‘Before you leave?’ asked Jack, his voice heavy. He was watching her closely.
Beth swallowed and wished she had some drink left. ‘Yeah, about that …’ She was thinking on the spot and she knew that was dangerous, especially after alcohol, but sometimes you had to take risks. ‘I’m guessing Nick’s going to go to prison for a while …’ She took a small step closer to Jack.
There was the faintest hint of a smile on Jack’s face. ‘He’ll be remanded in custody ahead of a trial and probably bailed but whatever happens he has to keep away from Dumbleford because Petra is here.’
‘So all of a sudden Dumbleford becomes the safest place for me and Leo to be.’
Jack took a tentative step forward. They were almost touching each other. ‘Does that mean you’re staying?’ he breathed.
‘He was my reason for leaving …’ Beth tilted her head up and felt her pulse quicken.
‘But do you have a reason to stay?’ Jack’s voice was a whisper and oh, so sexy.
‘I might have.’ Two could play at the teasing game, thought Beth as Jack lowered his lips tantalizingly close to hers.
‘I could give you …’ Jack paused, his lopsided grin proving that he was rethinking his sentence to avoid innuendo. ‘A very good reason to stay.’
Jack’s lips brushed Beth’s and she gave a little gasp.
‘Then how could I refuse?’ She closed her eyes and waited for his kiss.
‘Hold this,’ said Jack, thrusting a slopping pint at Beth, and she narrowly missed it splashing down her dress. It wasn’t exactly how she was hoping the moment was going to end. She watched him run off across the green, hurdling the bunting on the way.
Carly joined her and let out a huge yawn. ‘Where’s he off to?’
‘I have no idea,’ said Beth, feeling a little wrong-footed. ‘But how are you, Mrs Dooley?’
‘Could. Not. Be. Happier,’ said Carly emphatically, blowing Beth a kiss as she couldn’t get close enough for a hug with all the drinks glasses. ‘Thank you so much; today has been the best day ever.’
‘Really?’ asked Beth, looking askance. ‘Even with the Morris Minor and homemade bunting?’
‘Especially with those. I’ve loved it all. Totally beyond even my wildest dreams.’
Beth felt a little teary but kept it in line. ‘That’s a relief! I’m really pleased for you, Carls.’ But Carly was squinting into the darkness, watching a figure stagger out of the gloom.
‘I think I might be the only sober person here,’ said Carly as they watched Jack scramble over the bunting with a For Sale sign balanced on one shoulder. He threw it at Beth’s feet and started jumping up and down on it. Men from the wedding party tumbled out of the tepees and started to join in, which was comical to witness.
‘Bonkers, completely bonkers,’ laughed Beth. While the others continued demolishing the sign, Jack slipped away from the crowd. ‘Should I say thank you?’ she asked through her giggles.
‘Just say you’ll stay,’ said Jack as he tentatively leaned forward and this time he kissed her properly.
The next morning Beth was woken by the sound of Leo and Denis giggling at the television and the gentle thrum of her hangover. Denis had stayed for a sleepover to give Petra some time to digest what had happened. It was going to be a long journey for Petra but she had good friends to support her.
Beth had vague recollections of a taxi arriving and whisking Carly and Fergus away. She checked the clock – they’d be getting on a plane to the Caribbean in a few hours. Surprisingly she didn’t envy them. She lay there smiling to herself and remembering Jack’s kiss; that part of the evening was clear and she could recall every blissful moment. She closed her eyes and hummed happily to herself.
There were voices outside and with a reluctant stretch Beth peered out of the window. She could just see the green when the willow tree wasn’t blowing across the cottage and the big vans were back and the tepees were being dismantled. It was breezier today but Dumbleford had never looked so enchanting. Beth decided she should probably get the boys some breakfast and go and lend a hand.
As they crossed the green the boys scurried off after the football and were quickly joined by Doris. Beth looked around for Jack and saw him inside the large tepee watching her, as something like happiness bounced around inside her stomach. That or she’d overdone the coffee. When she reached Jack he drew her into a tight hug and for the first time in a very long while she relaxed at being held tightly in someone’s arms.
‘Good morning,’ said Jack, giving her a brief kiss. He paused to study her face before going back for another much longer one.
‘Break it up! Cake coming through!’ yelled Shirley, as Maureen pitched ominously from side to side and meandered out of the tent carrying the remaining two tiers of cake.
‘The cake was amazing, Maureen,’ said Beth and Maureen stopped dead. For a second Beth feared the cake was going to keep going but luckily Maureen had a tight hold on it. Maureen turned her head slowly in Beth’s direction and Beth held her breath.
Maureen bared her teeth and almost smiled. ‘Thank you,’ she said. Beth breathed out her relief and Maureen waddled away with the cake. She had got used to the odd ways of most of the people in Dumbleford but Maureen was still something of an enigma.
Jack took her hand and guided her inside the empty tent. ‘Everything okay?’
B
eth couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face. ‘Yes, everything is very okay.’
‘And you’re definitely staying in Dumbleford? No change of heart?’ He looked anxious and it made Beth adore him a little bit more.
‘I’m definitely staying in Dumbleford.’ It felt good to say it out loud.
Jack held both her hands in his. ‘Great. Because I’m thinking about embarking on a serious relationship with someone not a million miles from here.’ His eyes twinkled.
‘Really? Who with? Is it Shirley?’ Beth gave him her best serious face.
Jack played along. ‘Yes, yes it is. I hope you understand.’
‘Shirley!’ yelled Beth. ‘Jack’s thinking about embarking …’ but she didn’t get to finish the sentence because Jack began kissing her.
‘Crazy lady!’ said Shirley, shaking her head as she went past, rolling up streams of bunting.
Beth and Jack started to laugh but it dwindled and they stared at each other. Beth was wondering how she got this lucky when the whirlwind that was Doris came charging at them. They both bent down and patted her while she bounced about them, sharing her joy and frantically trying to lick Beth’s face.
‘I love you,’ said Beth to Doris.
‘I love you too,’ replied Jack but he looked suddenly unsure as realization dawned. A football flew past the entrance to the tent and Doris ran off at top speed, leaving Beth and Jack looking at each other as if someone had put them on pause.
It was Jack’s turn to colour up.
‘I love you too … too,’ said Beth and she took his hand, pulled him to her and kissed him tenderly.
Beth asked Shirley to keep an eye on the boys while she and Jack went to check on Petra.
Petra was getting ready to open up the pub. ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ asked Beth, her expression one of concern.
‘I am, honestly. This is what I have wanted for a long time, for Nicholas to be found and arrested. I didn’t know his full name, which made it easy for him to disappear. I thought he had got away with what he did. Seeing him yesterday was a shock after all these years but now I feel like a weight has lifted from me,’ said Petra with a brief smile.
‘You know you don’t have to be quite this brave,’ said Beth, taking in Petra’s cheery expression and giving her arm a gentle squeeze.
‘I was not brave last night. To be honest, I was a bit of a mess and I called my mother. It was a difficult conversation; she never understood why I decided to have the baby. She saw it as his baby, but it was my baby too. Last night we talked without shouting which is a start and, you never know, perhaps good things can come from this.’
‘I’m sure you’re right,’ said Beth, feeling genuinely hopeful on Petra’s behalf.
‘And I have learned a new word. I believe Nicholas is what you call a shit-weasel?’
Beth spluttered her surprise. ‘That’s a new one on me too but it sums him up perfectly!’
The smiles quickly faded. ‘Denis doesn’t know.’ Petra looked suddenly very sad.
‘Of course.’ Beth couldn’t begin to imagine what Petra had been through but now at least she didn’t have to go through it alone. ‘I’m here if you need to talk any time, day or night,’ said Beth, giving her a hug. They held each other for a moment.
‘Thank you. That’s lovely of you. And the police, they have been very good.’
‘And Tollek is only a couple of miles away if you need anything else,’ said Jack, helping himself to a chocolate.
‘Hey cheeky boy, don’t eat my present!’ said Petra, playfully swiping away the chocolates Beth had bought her. ‘I hear your For Sale sign has gone?’ she went on, turning back to Beth and looking instantly brighter with the change of subject.
‘Yeah,’ said Beth, ‘someone took it last night. The crime rate has rocketed around here so I’m not sure I want to stay now.’
‘Don’t even joke about leaving, that’s mean,’ said Jack, trying to tickle Beth’s ribs. They giggled and chased each other round the bar.
Petra watched them proudly like a mother hen. ‘Children, go and leave me in peace,’ she said, throwing a packet of crisps at Jack, which he deftly caught. ‘Shoo!’
‘Take care, Petra,’ he called and he ushered Beth out of the pub.
‘I will,’ said Petra with a wink.
Beth and Jack tumbled out of the pub and they watched Ernie disappear into the willow tree next door. Beth wandered over to take a closer look at Willow Cottage. The willow tree was still huge despite Jack’s best attempts at trimming it but the rest of the picture had changed so much from that first encounter all those months ago. As she surveyed all the changes and thought of all the hard work that had gone in to making it a home she realized how much she loved it, even with its awful bathroom.
Jack stood behind Beth, put his arms around her waist and nuzzled affectionately at her neck. ‘You going home?’ he asked.
‘Yes,’ said Beth with a smile, ‘I think I am.’
EPILOGUE
Six weeks later
‘Mum, wake up, wake up! It’s my birthday!’ shouted Leo as he bounced up and down on Beth’s bed.
‘Urgh,’ she groaned. Blinking at the clock. ‘It’s twenty past six!’
‘I know, we’ve got time to open my presents before school!’ He stopped bouncing and held out his hands expectantly.
It was hard to stay grumpy very long when his angelic face was beaming at her, even if she was still half asleep. ‘Coffee first, then presents. Okay?’
‘Okay,’ said Leo, hopping off the duvet and heading downstairs.
Beth dragged herself out of bed and her reluctant body followed him. The sun was streaming in through the kitchen windows – it was going to be another glorious July day.
Beth sent a text to Jack. He was usually up by 6.30 for his run so if she was lucky he might join them for breakfast. A few minutes later, large paws scrabbling on the door announced Doris’s and Jack’s arrival. Beth knew she was smiling even before she’d opened the front door. Jack was wearing running shorts and a tight-fitting top which she would have quite liked to have been able to rip off him but being a parent often interrupted their spontaneity.
‘Morning you, did you fancy joining us for a run?’
‘Ha, ha!’ Beth stood back and let them in.
‘Jack!’ yelled Leo as he threw himself into his arms. They had become very close lightning fast and it never failed to warm Beth’s heart to see them together.
‘Happy birthday, mate. Here you go.’ Jack handed Leo a squishy parcel.
‘Clothes?’ asked Leo, his thoughts on this quickly revealed by his expression.
‘You’ll see,’ said Jack, snaking an arm around Beth’s waist and pulling her close.
‘Thanks, Jack,’ Leo added belatedly as he ripped off the paper. ‘Oh wow! It’s the latest England football kit!’ Leo looked like he was going to explode with excitement and immediately ran out of the room tearing off his pyjamas as he went.
‘Coffee?’ said Beth with a big yawn, heading for the kettle.
‘No, just water thanks. We’re off for a run in a minute.’ He rubbed Doris’s head and she leaned into his leg for a fuss. ‘Beth, I wanted to talk to you about something.’ His voice appeared rehearsed and Beth didn’t like the way it sounded. She turned slowly and handed him his water.
‘Sounds serious,’ she said, trying but failing to find a smile. Everything had been going so well. They had been seeing each other daily since Carly’s wedding and right up until this moment she had thought they had a relationship that was going somewhere.
‘It is kind of serious.’ He rubbed his chin. ‘I think we need to talk about Doris.’
Beth raised her eyebrows; she had no idea where this was going. ‘Is there something wrong?’
Jack patted Doris’s flank and she slumped onto her back with her legs in the air, awaiting a tummy rub. ‘You see, I think she gets confused moving between my house and yours. I think it would be better for her if s
he knew where she was going to be from one day to the next but on the other hand I worry that she might think things were moving too fast.’
Beth spotted the twitch of a smile on his lips and instantly relaxed. ‘I wouldn’t want Doris to worry.’
‘No, nor would I.’ He reached out and took Beth’s hand. ‘When it’s not just you that you have to think about it’s a big decision. I don’t want to confuse her or rush into something and …’ He paused and did look genuinely serious this time. ‘I’d hate her to think this was forever and then find out that it’s not.’ He swallowed and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
‘So just to be sure, are you saying that you think we should move in together?’
Jack nodded. ‘You’re smart, one of the many reasons why I … Actually, we, love you.’
‘It feels like a big step,’ said Beth, feeling excitement bubble inside her.
‘It is. But are we ready?’ His eyes didn’t leave hers.
She didn’t have to think too hard; nothing had ever felt so right as being with Jack. ‘I think we’re ready.’
Jack hugged Beth tight and kissed her longingly on the lips. ‘She said yes!’ he called over his shoulder and Leo ran in punching the air.
‘See, I told you she would,’ said Leo, hi-fiving Jack before he dropped to his knees and started to rub Doris’s tummy and explain things to her. ‘You see, Doris, we’re going to be a proper family and that means you don’t have to worry about moving ever again.’
Beth wiped away the tears that were pooling.
‘It’s what he told me he wanted most for his birthday,’ said Jack with a shrug. ‘And I couldn’t think of anything else I would want more.’ Beth wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
‘Yuck! If you are going to keep kissing perhaps me and Doris will need a place of our own!’ said Leo with a smirk before he got pulled into a group hug.
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Willow Cottage, Part 4 Page 11