‘Has it occurred to you that she might like a new man around the house?’
‘I think it would unsettle her.’ Jenna finished the bandage, concentrating on the job. ‘Is that comfortable?’
Mrs Parker put her weight on her leg. ‘It’s perfect, as usual.’ Her voice calm, she picked up her handbag. ‘You’re not the only one who can love, you know. And if love is wanting someone else’s happiness, maybe Lexi should be thinking of yours. Maybe you should give her the chance to worry about you for a change. I want you to think about that.’
‘Mrs Parker—’
‘Just think about it. I’d hate to see you turning your back on something special. I’ll send the next person in, shall I? Don’t forget to drop in for tea when you’re passing.’ With a quiet smile, the dragon of Glenmore opened the door. ‘I happen to know that Rev King has a date free in December. I always think a winter wedding is romantic. And I expect an invitation. I have a particularly nice coat that I haven’t had reason to wear for at least two decades.’
* * *
‘He rolled in a pile of something gross and now he stinks—Mum, are you listening to me? Basically, the dog is rank.’ A frown on her face, Lexi helped herself to crisps from the cupboard and waved them under her mother’s nose. ‘Junk food alert! Time to nag!’
Her mind miles away, Jenna stared out of the window, trying to find the right way to say what needed to be said.
‘On my fourth packet—’ Lexi rustled the bag of crisps dramatically. ‘Might add some more salt to them just to make them extra yummy—’
‘Lexi…’ Her strained voice caught her daughter’s attention.
‘What? What’s wrong?’
‘I—there’s something I need to talk to you about. Something very adult.’
‘Is it about the fact you’re having sex with Ryan? Because honestly, Mum—’ Lexi stuck her hand in the crisp packet ‘—I don’t want to know the details. I mean, I love you, and I love that we talk about stuff, but I don’t want to talk about that. It would feel too weird.’
Stunned, Jenna felt her face turn scarlet. ‘You—I—’
‘Don’t get me wrong. I’m basically cool with it, Mum. I’m pleased for you.’ Grinning, Lexi nibbled a crisp. ‘It’s nice for someone of your age to have some excitement.’
Jenna moved her lips but no sound came out.
Lexi squinted out of the window. ‘Better pull it together fast, Mum, lover-boy is strolling up the path. I’ll go and let him in, shall I?’ She sauntered towards the door, crisps in her hand. ‘Hi, Ryan. I’m glad you’re here, because Mum so needs a doctor. She’s acting weird. I’ve waved, like, five packets of crisps under her nose and she hasn’t even reacted. Normally she’d be freaking out and going on about too much salt, too much fat. Today—nothing. What’s the matter with her?’
‘Perhaps you’d better leave us for a moment.’ Ryan dropped his car keys on the table, but Lexi shook her head and plopped onto a chair by the kitchen table.
‘No way. I’m fed up with being the last person to know stuff around here. If you want to get rid of me you’ll have to kick me out, and that will be child abuse.’
A smile flickered at the corners of Ryan’s mouth. ‘Presumably that wouldn’t be a good start to our relationship.’
Lexi looked at him thoughtfully. ‘You’ve got a thing for my mum, haven’t you?’
Ryan winced, and Jenna came to her senses. ‘Lexi!’
‘It’s too late for discipline. I’m already full of crisps.’ Lexi folded her arms. ‘It would be great if someone around here would give me a straight answer for once. I know you like my mum, so there’s no point in denying it.’
‘That isn’t quite how I’d describe it,’ Ryan said carefully, and Jenna felt the pulse beat in her throat.
Lexi didn’t pause. ‘What words would you use?’
‘I love your mum.’ Ryan spoke the words calmly, with no hint of apology or question. ‘I love her very much. But I realise that the situation is complicated.’
‘What’s complicated about it? She’s divorced, and you—’ Lexi frowned. ‘Are you married or something?’
‘No. I was in the past.’
‘So, basically, you’re free and single?’ Lexi grinned cheekily. ‘I missed out the “young” bit, did you notice?’
‘I noticed. Remind me to punish you later.’ A sardonic smile on his face, Ryan sat down at the table. ‘I’m not sure what order to do this in. If you want to be part of a family that already exists, do you propose to the woman or the daughter?’