In theory she had no reason to cry. Jago had been called away on business and had gone. It was no big deal. But somehow it felt like a big deal, as if something had changed – not necessarily between them but with him.
Chapter Twenty-eight
There was always plenty to do in the house and Helena’s building skills had come on a lot since living with Jago. She was best at pointing but she also tidied up a few half-finished sections of bricklaying. But when she could do no more and it was no longer silly o’clock, she went round to see her mother.
‘Hello, darling,’ said Gilly, without looking up from writing something. It looked like a list. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Mum! How do you know anything’s wrong? I’ve just arrived.’
‘I’m your mother. Don’t query the process.’ Now Gilly did look up. ‘So?’
‘There’s nothing wrong! Well, not really.’ Helena pulled out a chair and sat at the kitchen table, putting her arms on it. ‘Jago’s gone away, that’s all. I’m going to miss him.’
‘Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry. That’s horrible. How long is he away for?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘But you can keep in touch with him? FaceTime? See how he is?’
‘No. He said he’d be out of contact.’
‘That is a bit harder to cope with, love. But you didn’t leave on bad terms or anything?’
‘Oh no.’ Although this was the first time he’d got up without making love to her, but she didn’t need to share that with her mother. ‘No, we’re fine but I’m a bit worried about him. He got this phone call while we were out with James and Amy last night and we had to leave the wine bar right away so he could make arrangements. Then he went really early this morning.’
‘If you want to come home for a bit, do,’ said Gilly firmly. ‘Whatever your old mother is getting up to doesn’t stop this being your home, first and foremost.’
Her mother’s invitation instantly made Helena feel better. She didn’t want to move back home but knowing she could made the prospect of being alone in Jago’s house seem less daunting. ‘That’s really kind of you, Mum, but I think I’ll be fine. I’m a big girl now, after all.’
‘You’ll always be my baby, darling,’ said Gilly, smiling fondly. ‘Now, I planned to make some soup. Do you want to stay and help me chop up vegetables?’
‘Oh yes, that would be fun.’
They made soup and chocolate cake and by the time Helena left with the cake in a tin she felt a lot better.
She was further encouraged by Amy’s eagerness to come and stay. In theory it was to plan weaving workshops but Helena knew the signs: Amy wanted to talk about James.
To be fair to them, they did plan a couple and Amy was also keen to help Helena with her workshops to create wall hangings. They discussed sourcing fleece, dying it themselves or buying it already dyed and various other work-related subjects before Helena said, ‘Shall we order pizza and open a bottle of wine?’
‘Thought you’d never ask!’ said Amy. ‘But let’s make pizzas in the frying pan. Cheaper.’
‘I’ve got wine already and cake for pudding. So, how did it go with James after we left?’
‘He is so lovely!’ said Amy. ‘Obviously it’s far too early to say for sure but he sent me a text this morning saying how much he’d enjoyed meeting me.’
‘Really? That soon? That’s amazing!’
‘I know! So unlike a man. He’s very keen that we should meet up again though. No date made yet, but hey! And he is so nice.’
Amy went on to tell Helena every little thing she knew about James. Not, Helena realised, because Amy thought she needed to know all that, but because she just wanted to talk about him. She was attracted to him and had ‘mentionitis’. Still, it was all good stuff and useful to know. He was Jago’s best friend.
Suddenly Amy said, ‘I know! Let’s check him out on Facebook!’
‘You don’t expect me to believe you haven’t already done that, do you?’ Helena had found a mixing bowl and a packet of flour. Amy would make the pizzas.
‘Well, no, but he may have put something about me up there.’
Helena couldn’t help laughing. ‘Really? What would he say?’
‘I’ve met a gorgeous new woman, really hope she’s as into me as I’m into her. Obvs.’
‘Honey! There’s pinging off a text to someone you’ve just met and there’s turning that someone into a girlfriend …’
‘I know there is a bit of time in between but I haven’t felt like this for so long. Let me enjoy it!’
‘I’m really not raining on your parade,’ said Helena gently. ‘I’m just managing your expectations.’
Amy was rueful. ‘OK, OK, I know. But let’s get these pizzas on and then we’ll have a peek. I want to check out how he looks in swimming trunks.’
There was a good array of photos and, to Amy’s delight, a couple of James on a beach. There was one of him in skiing gear, holding some kind of trophy, standing in front of a row of laughing friends.
Helena, crunching pizza, looked over Amy’s shoulder. ‘Hang on!’ she said. ‘That’s Jago.’
‘Where?’
‘In the background. Look.’
Amy peered at the group of young men standing behind James. ‘Which one?’
‘There. Look.’ Helena touched the screen with her finger.
‘Helly! He’s wearing a big hairband, ski goggles and is looking away from the camera. How on earth can you tell?’
‘Well, I just know. It’s him. I know it is.’
‘You and your spooky “super-recogniser” stuff!’ Amy was dismissive but indulgent.
Now it was her man in the photos Helena was a bit more interested. ‘But that’s weird. He’s tagged wrongly. You’d think James would get his best mate’s name right.’
‘It might not be him. And anyway, he may not have put the photo up there.’
‘But it is him. And apparently he’s called Jonathan Relto.’ Something stirred in Helena’s memory. ‘Wasn’t Relto the name of that company that was responsible for all those people nearly dying in a fire? There was a dramatic rescue and several fireman got medals for gallantry.’
‘No idea,’ said Amy. ‘Let’s google him.’
Helena’s legs turned to rubber. She felt as if all her life force was escaping out of her body as she read. There were many more pictures of Jago available, ones that even Amy had no problem in recognising. Only he wasn’t Jago, the man she loved. He was Jonathan Relto, nephew of one of the worst landlords in history. His uncle had only missed going to prison because of a very clever lawyer. Worst of all, Jago had worked for him. She developed a cold sweat and her mouth went so dry she couldn’t speak.
‘Oh, Helly,’ said Amy, looking at her friend with concern. ‘Would you like some water?’
Helena nodded. While Amy went to fetch her some, she tried to get her brain to work. Amy came back with water, she sipped some and managed to speak. ‘I don’t know what to do.’