‘How about a beer?’ she said huskily. ‘Back in a moment.’
Kate put the lilies into a jug of water, poured beer into a glass and went back to the sitting room, relaxing slightly when she found Jo curled up in a chair, chatting easily with Jack about her stay with her grandparents.
‘I forgot to tell you, Kate,’ she said. ‘When I had tea in a café in Worcester with Grandma I saw Leah Brace from school. She was with her father. He sent you his regards.’
‘How nice of him.’ Kate avoided Jack’s eyes as she handed him his beer. ‘Let’s sit down. Supper’s not quite ready yet.’
He took the foot of the chaise, smiling at Jo. ‘Kate tells me you’re going to a party on Saturday.’
She nodded, eyes sparkling. ‘The Carey twins invited me. Do you know them?’
‘I know their father.’ He smiled wryly. ‘I didn’t realise Jim’s twins were old enough for disco parties.’
‘It’s their fourteenth birthday,’ Jo informed him. ‘The party sounds like fun, it’s in a barn.’
Kate sat with them for a while, content to sit in silence while the two people she loved best in the world got to know each other, but after a while she excused herself to see to the meal.
‘Shall I help?’ said Jo, jumping up.
‘Stay and entertain our guest,’ said Kate. ‘Just kitchen supper tonight, Jack,’ she told him. ‘I shan’t be long.’
He smiled at her then turned to his daughter as he accepted the nuts she offered him. ‘Tell me about school, Joanna. What subjects do you like best?’
Finding it hard to tear herself away, Kate went back to the kitchen to grill bacon to crispness while water heated for the pasta. She put bowls in the oven to warm, set out dishes of grated cheese on the table, filled wineglasses and cut thick slices from a loaf of Italian bread, checked on her sauce, plunged the pasta into the pot and went to fetch the others.
Joanna talked with complete ease as she helped serve the meal, laughing when Jack told her that the last time he’d had supper w
ith Kate she hadn’t honoured him with her culinary skill.
‘We sent out for Chinese,’ he said, grinning at Kate. ‘But this is much better. Great sauce.’
‘We had great roast chicken on Sunday too, with herb stuffing and bread sauce,’ Jo informed him. ‘Kate’s a good cook. But I expect you know that,’ she added, twirling pasta round her fork.
‘We hadn’t seen each other for years until recently,’ Jack said regretfully, ‘so I’m not as familiar with her cooking skills as you, Jo. But I hope to be in future,’ he added, his eyes spearing Kate’s.
Jack insisted on helping to clear the table after the first course, which resulted in much bumping into each other as the three of them got in each other’s way in the small kitchen.
‘For heaven’s sake, sit down, Jack,’ laughed Kate at last. ‘Leave the rest to us.’ She shot him a meaningful glance as Jo put her cupcakes on the table.
‘Those look good,’ he said promptly. ‘Did you make them yourself, Kate?’
She shook her head. ‘Jo’s work, not mine.’
‘I won’t mind if you don’t like cake,’ Jo assured him shyly. ‘Kate’s got some cheese.’
Jack took a cake, pronouncing it so delicious he asked for another. ‘Best I’ve tasted in a long time,’ he told her, and Joanna flushed with pleasure as she ate hers.
‘Thank you. I like baking.’
‘Just as well,’ said Kate dryly. ‘My culinary skills don’t extend that far.’
They stayed at the table to drink coffee, Jo completely at ease with her new acquaintance as she asked questions about Bran.
‘Come round to my house at the weekend to see him,’ said Jack casually. ‘I’ll get Molly to organise a special Easter Sunday lunch.’
‘Who’s Molly?’
‘She’s the good fairy who cleans my house and leaves me delicious meals.’