‘I just think you’re being naïve.’
‘Inviting a guy in for coffee?’ Bryony gritted her teeth and shook her head. ‘You’ve gone crazy, do you know that?’
There was a long silence and streaks of colour touched his hard cheekbones. ‘Maybe I have,’ he said shortly, putting his half-full mug on the table and rising to his feet in a fluid movement. ‘I’d better get home.’
‘Fine. Thank you for babysitting.’
‘You’re welcome.’
As a farewell it had none of its usual warmth and Bryony turned away and poured the rest of her coffee down the sink, boiling with frustration and feeling confused and upset.
She heard Jack stride to her front door, heard him pick up his jacket and car keys and then the front door slammed behind him.
Bryony winced and let out a long breath.
Just what was going on with Jack?
Bryony was nervous about working with Jack the next day but he seemed back to his usual self, relaxed and good-humoured as they sat in the staffroom and discussed the shifts for Bonfire Night.
‘It’s my turn.’ Sean Nicholson, one of the other consultants, looked at Jack with a resigned expression on his face. ‘You deserve a year off from Bonfire Night. You’ve had a bad few years.’
Jack rolled his eyes. ‘I won’t know what to do with myself,’ he drawled, and Bryony gave him a sympathetic smile.
‘You hate this time of year, don’t you?’
‘I’ve just seen too many kids with burns after handling fireworks,’ he said grimly, scribbling something on his pad. ‘OK, so Blondie and I are officially off that night, but if you need us you can call us.’ He looked at Bryony. ‘Would you be able to come in that night if we needed you?’
Bryony nodded. ‘After eight. I’m taking Lizzie to her bonfire party.’
Jack stared at her, his body suddenly unnaturally still. ‘What bonfire party?’
‘Her friend is having a few sparklers in the garden. Nothing dramatic,’ Bryony assured him, but he shook his head.
‘No way.’ His jaw was tense. ‘She shouldn’t be going.’
Bryony sighed. ‘She’s seven, Jack. She wants to be with her friends.’
‘So? Invite them all out for a hamburger.’
‘It’s just a few fireworks and drinks for the parents. It will be over by eight.’
He let out a breath. ‘All right. But I’m coming with you.’
‘Jack—’
‘I’m off and I’m bored.’ His blue eyes glittered dangerously. ‘It’s that or she doesn’t go.’
‘You’re not her father, Jack!’ Suddenly remembering that Sean was still in the room, Bryony coloured with embarrassment and shot them an apologetic look. ‘Sorry, you guys.’
‘No problem,’ Sean said easily, ‘and I’m sure we won’t need you here so just go and have a good time.’
‘Great. That’s what we’ll do, then.’
Jack ran through the rest of the rota and Sean left the room.
Bryony looked at him. ‘So what are you planning to do? Bring the fire brigade?’
‘When you’ve spent as long working in A and E as I have, you won’t let your daughter go to domestic firework parties,’ he said tightly. ‘It’s fine. I’ll come, too. And you can tell Lizzie’s friend’s mother that I want a bucket of sand and another bucket of water handy.’