need to get well. Look at you, babe. I bet you haven’t even eaten this morning, have ya?’
‘I’m fine, Eric.’
He stood up and held out his hand. ‘Come on, Zara, I’m taking you out for breakfast, and I won’t take no for an answer.’
She was about to take his hand but realized she had her bag on the floor. Awkwardly, she pulled away and reached for the handle. Instead of allowing her to feel self-conscious, he took the bag and slid his arm around her shoulders. ‘Right. Full English or salmon and poached eggs? I know the perfect place to eat.’
His upbeat tone lightened Zara’s mood. She was hungry and feeling a tad light-headed.
Helping her into the car, she gritted her teeth. ‘This is so bloody frustrating, you know. I hate not being able to drive!’
Eric patted her shoulder and hurried to the driver’s seat. ‘There’s nothing to stop you driving,’ he replied, once he’d pulled away.
‘Er, in case you’ve forgotten, I only have one hand.’
Eric quipped, ‘Yep, babe, you do. And two legs and a set of teeth.’
‘But I can’t grip the wheel with my gnashers.’ She chuckled for the first time.
‘There are these gadgets that you add to your own car, to make it easier.’
Surprised by Eric’s remark, she asked, ‘How do you know that?’
He patted her knee and grinned. ‘Because I went and checked that out at the garage. I guessed you’d want to be in a position whereby your . . . Well, what I’m trying to say is that you obviously don’t want to be restricted. Ya know what I mean. So, if you’re looking to get a new car, my mate can sort all that out for you. I’ll give him the heads-up when you’re ready.’
Zara looked at his side profile and smiled. He really was looking out for her best interests and so maybe the decision to leave Gloria’s had been a bit hasty; they were such a kind and caring family.
‘Thanks, Eric. That’s really good of you. Can I ask you something?’
Eric smiled. ‘Anything. Fire away.’
‘I saw Mike in the lounge and that Jennifer was there. Er . . . ’ She struggled for the words to ask if he thought Mike was shagging the tart.
‘Yeah, I know . . . ’ He sighed heavily. ‘She’s a bit of a slapper at times. She’s a good girl but sex-mad, I think.’
He didn’t need to say any more. Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. She fought to stop the tears in her eyes welling up again. ‘Do you think they . . . ?’
‘What? Listen, Zara. Mike loves you, you’re his fiancée, his real bird, but Mike is a man that spent twelve years inside.’
‘So, what you’re saying is he would take it if it was handed to him on a plate then?’
‘No, oh, I dunno. But you remember one thing. Mike loves you, and so if he did what you were just asking, he would’ve done it without any feelings. So, just you rest that niggling doubt of yours, and if I were you, I’d just leave it. Don’t push him away, Zara. Jackie had a real jealous streak, and it ruined their relationship. He hated her in the end . . . Er, not that I’m suggesting you’re anything like her, of course.’
Zara was now staring out of the side window, Eric’s words preying on her emotions and especially her own self-worth as a woman. She was so hurt that her whole body trembled, and she found herself too choked up to speak.
Just as they pulled up in Petts Wood Square, opposite the Daylight Inn, Zara wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. What the hell was she doing here? But it would look churlish to tell him to turn around and take her home. It was considerate of Eric to offer her some kindness, but sooner rather than later, she would have to get a grip and not let her feelings get in the way of her life. Forever a gentleman, Eric opened the passenger door and stepped aside as she clambered out.
‘Thanks, Eric,’ she said in a deflated tone.
‘Well, hello,’ came a deep voice from behind them.
Eric almost froze to the spot. Zara turned to see who owned that gravel voice. He was a well-built man, dressed in a dark suit with black, brooding eyes. He had to be at least the same size as Eric, and he was big.
Eric looked pale, and his confident expression vanished in a split second.
‘Hi, mate. All right?’ He tried to sound firm, but Zara noticed he seemed on edge.
‘Yeah, good as gold. So, what are you doing in this neck of the woods?’
Zara raised her brow. That was an odd question, as Eric lived in Kent and this was his manor.
‘Just having a bit of breakfast. Yaself?’
The dark-eyed man gave him a cocky grin and then flicked his eyes to Zara. ‘I’m meeting someone special. So, who’s this lovely lady?’
Zara sensed the undertone in the man’s voice, and so she didn’t even attempt to introduce herself. Eric jumped in before she could, anyway. ‘This is a friend of mine, a school friend. Anyway, nice to see ya.’
Before the man had a chance to say another word, Eric ushered Zara away.
Once they were seated in the bistro, Eric stared out of the window, and as Zara followed his eyeline, she noticed the dark-eyed man glance back, laugh, and shake his head.
‘Who the hell was that, Eric?’
With the blood now drained from his face, Eric mumbled under his breath, ‘No one.’
Burying his head in the menu, Zara could only imagine he was gathering his thoughts because whoever that man was, it had Eric shitting hot bricks. She looked back out of the window to see him talking to a young woman with jet-black dyed hair and an oversized rucksack on her shoulder. She certainly looked too young to be a girlfriend. He was probably a pimp and Eric may have been a regular customer. Of course, Eric would have been mortified if the man had mentioned that.
She looked at the menu, and straightaway, she asked for a sweet tea and poached eggs on toast. She figured that way she could ease Eric’s embarrassment, as he could go up to the counter and not have to face her. He did exactly that.
***
Kendall was thrilled when she saw her father. He had stuck to his word and met her outside the pub. She wouldn’t have been surprised, though, if he’d found some excuse to call the arrangement off. He was certainly a difficult man to predict.
‘I wondered if you were saying I could have the flat, just to shut me up?’
‘Yeah, you got that right, but I said you can have it, so ’ere ya go. These are the keys. That one’ – he pointed to the larger key – ‘lets you through the downstairs door, and the other key opens your own front door.’
Taking the small bunch, she looked up at him and smiled. ‘Are you gonna show me around, then?’
‘Nope,
