‘Good. Anything else?’ That would have accounted for about two minutes’ worth of their conversation.
‘He asked me if I knew anything about the different cuts you can get on precious stones.’
‘Really? Do you?’
She nodded. ‘My father was a jeweller. The old-fashioned kind, who knew how to make pieces as well as sell them. So I know a little.’
‘I imagine he’s got their fortieth wedding anniversary in mind—that’s only a few months away now.’ Edward wondered whether he should follow his father’s lead and enlist Charlotte’s help in choosing a gift for his parents.
‘Mmm. He wants to get something really special. I’m going to give him the name of an associate of my father’s who deals in rubies when I see him. He does very fine work. I used to have a necklace that he made for my mother.’
Her voice was matter-of-fact. Just the smallest hint of regret.
‘Used to have?’ Edward hoped against all reason that the necklace was somewhere tucked away safely—the one thing that Charlotte hadn’t sold.
‘I sold it. It gave me a few thousand to put towards the deposit on my house.’
‘I’m sorry you had to do that.’
She shrugged. ‘They’re only pretty sparkly things. I remember my parents, and that’s the thing that really matters.’ She pulled her shoulders back, as if telling herself for the hundredth time that it really didn’t matter. ‘Anyway, I know a good ruby when I see one. I’ll make sure that your father gets a really nice stone.’
‘Thank you.’ She was quite unselfish in her generosity. Even though she’d lost everything herself, she wanted to make sure that another woman had the perfect gift. ‘So, do you need someone to look after Isaac on Wednesday evening?’
‘I can have the childminder pick him up from school. That’s what I usually do.’
‘I’ve got a free afternoon. I can pick him up and bring him back here if you like.’
She nodded. ‘If it’s not too much trouble. I don’t want to...’
‘If you were going to say that you don’t want to impose, you can save your breath.’ He kept the stern glare up for about two seconds, until she flushed and it melted. ‘You’re not imposing. It’s been a pleasure having him around.’
She grinned, a hint of mischief in her eyes. He could get lost in that mischief, let it bend and break him...
‘You two are getting to be quite a gang...’
‘Yeah?’ Edward had never been in a gang before, even if this was an exceptionally small one. He quite liked the possibilities that it opened up. Going fishing for tadpoles. Wearing their ties like bandanas around their heads.
‘I just... Well, I hope that he’s not been too demanding. Of your time.’
For someone who seemed to know pretty much what he was thinking for a good proportion of the time, Charlotte could be shockingly unperceptive sometimes. ‘No. I think I’ve been demanding of his time, haven’t I? It’ll be my pleasure to pick him up from school on Wednesday.’
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
EDWARD WAS PLEASED to see that the school made him submit to a thorough check, to make sure he was who he said he was, before they would let him take Isaac. He’d been worried that Charlotte’s husband might try something, and it seemed that his father had, too, because when Edward had broached the matter quietly with him he’d told him that was all seen to.
‘So. What shall we do, then?’
The feeling that he was playing hookey was almost overwhelming. He wasn’t, of course. The clinic knew exactly where he was, and he was just taking a few hours from the hundreds he was owed. But Edward didn’t let that spoil the fantasy.
‘What would you like to do?’
He dumped his keys and phone onto the hall table, and extricated Isaac from his backpack and coat.
‘We could play a game on the internet. Or play football. Or perhaps you’d like to go to the park?’
Isaac nodded. He, too, had an air of being about to embark on an adventure. ‘The park.’
‘Okay. Do you think we should take some supplies with us? In case we get lost? You never know what might happen.’