And because she was so happy she wanted Amy to be as happy, and so she resolved to introduce her to Jago’s friend James as soon as she could. It was unlikely they would be as perfect for each other as she and Jago, but they might go on a few enjoyable dates. It could be fun for all for them.
Jago must have come out of the house the moment he heard Helena’s car arrive in the yard. It was nine o’clock at night – Helena had taken Amy home on the way back from the show – and she was exhausted. But her heart lifted the moment she saw Jago’s frame coming towards the car. She opened her window and he leaned into it as if he wanted to pull out through it into his arms.
His kiss, his smell, the feeling of his cheek rough against hers made her weak with longing.
‘Let me get out!’ she protested, frustrated by the limitations of their situation.
She almost fell into his arms and he held her so tight she couldn’t breathe – she didn’t want to breathe – she just wanted to stay in his arms forever and ever.
But eventually she pulled free. ‘Maybe we should get into the house?’
‘Of course,’ he said apologetically, ‘it’s just I’ve missed you so much. Are you hungry?’
The kitchen was warm and full of savoury smells and Helena realised how happy it made her just to be in it. ‘I know this isn’t the most top-end finished kitchen in the world,’ she said, ‘but it’s welcoming and spacious and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame,’ said Jago, taking something out of the oven. ‘I was hoping there were other rooms in this house that you like.’
She smiled at him, hoping she didn’t look quite as soppy as she felt. ‘I like lots of rooms.’
‘Just as well. Now you sit there. I’m about to feed you and give you wine.’
‘Amy and I drank a bit too much last night,’ said Helena, taking the large glass he offered her. She took a sip. ‘But it wasn’t anything like as nice as this.’
‘This is a special bottle – to celebrate your return.’
‘Jago! I was only away two nights.’
‘I know. But I missed you. Now, how hungry are you?’
‘Very.’
As they ate they discussed the show. ‘So it was a success? Worth all the work?’ said Jago, dipping bread into the gravy of the chicken tagine.
‘Absolutely. Loads of old friends came to see us and enough new ones to make doing a few more workshops definitely worthwhile.’
‘How did the wall hangings go down?’
‘Brilliantly! Everyone loved them! And lots of people want workshops to learn how to make them. Which will work well as they are comparatively quick.’ She put down her fork. ‘They didn’t actually sell, of course, but hey!’
Jago laughed. ‘Tell me when you’ve nearly finished – I have a surprise for you.’
‘A nice one?’
‘I think so.’
‘Well, I don’t think I can eat much more. I’m too tired.’
‘Pudding? Sticky toffee? Bought the best brand.’
‘Not now and I was brought up to believe that sugar at bedtime made me hyperactive.’
Jago laughed again. ‘Maybe I should force-feed you some …’
‘I’m sure that’s not required,’ said Helena primly, looking up at him, no longer caring if he could tell exactly how much in love with him she was.
He went over to the kitchen timer. ‘I’ve set it for ten minutes. When it rings you’re to come upstairs. Tell me when you’re on the landing.’
‘Supposing I fall asleep while I’m waiting?’
‘The timer will wake you and if it doesn’t I’ll come down and pour cold water on you! There’s a crossword there I haven’t been able to finish. Do that to keep yourself awake.’
Helena felt she might have nodded off for a few moments but as Jago had predicted, the timer woke her. She got up to turn it off and then, as instructed, went up the stairs.
‘I’m here!’
Jago appeared. ‘Now shut your eyes, I’m going to guide you.’
He put his hands on her shoulders. ‘Now, about three paces forward – now to the left …’
She went where she was directed and was suddenly hit by warm, moist air smelling of lavender.
‘You can open your eyes now!’
She was in the bathroom, but where before there’d just been a shower in the corner and not much else, now there was a bath full of hot, scented water and around the bath and on every surface were candles. There was no other light.
‘Oh my God! This is so beautiful!’ she said.
‘It took me all weekend to put the bath in but I was determined to do it for you.’
‘But I thought you had a big job you had to finish.’
‘I have and I will finish it soon, but this took priority. Do you like it?’
‘I absolutely love it, but I feel guilty that you took time away from your work to do this for me.’
‘As they say in the adverts, you’re worth it.’
She put her arms round his neck and pulled down his head so she could kiss him. ‘Thank you so, so much. You are so kind!’
‘Let me add to my kindness and help you get your clothes off so you can get in,’ said Jago.
‘Only if I can help you with yours.’
Eventually they had to get out of the bath as the water was cold but Jago had found somewhere to heat a huge bath sheet that he wrapped round her. Then he picked her up and carried her to his bedroom. He lowered her to the bed and she had time to notice that there were clean sheets, dried in the open air, before he joined her. She felt she had never been so happy before in her life and certainly never had she been so in love.
It wasn’t until they were having breakfast the next morning – early as Jago had to go to work – that Helena remembered to ask him about James. ‘Amy is desperate to meet your newly single friend. Do you think he’d be up for that?’ She didn’t add that being so happy herself made her want to spread the joy.
He finished his mouthful, looking at her thoughtfully. ‘Actually, my single friend is longing to meet you, too. He wants to check you out, make sure you’re good enough for me. And Amy’s a nice, jolly girl; I’m sure they’d get on well.’
‘A jolly girl? You think Amy is a jolly girl?’
‘Anything wrong with that?’
‘Not really, it’s just not very – I don’t know – it’s not how women like to be thought of.’
Jago shrugged. ‘Nothing wrong with jolly,’ he said. ‘Currently I’m too besotted by another woman to be able to see her best friend as sexy or beautiful or any of those things. She is pretty though, I’ll give her that.’
‘Big of you! Do you want the marmalade?’
‘Please.’
‘So, what shall we do? Have them both to dinner?’ She chewed her lip at the thought. It would be rather high pressure.
He shook his head. ‘Let’s keep it low-key. James will want to get a good look at you – he’s quite protective of his old mucker – and I think it would be better if we went to a nice wine bar that does food so we can stay on and eat if we want to, but all go home early if it’s a disaster.’