Dan got up early. He kissed the still sleeping Jess on the cheek and left her a note on her pillow.
Kingfisher Marina, Thorpe. Gate code: 1585. Boat is called ‘Making Waves’. Map open on coffee table with directions. See you at 12
Miss you D x
Jess woke up late. She looked over and noticed that Dan had gone. She couldn’t believe she’d missed him and was relieved to see his note. He sorted the move out quickly, she thought. She loved his presumptuousness in thinking she’d be free at twelve and then laughed, as he would have known she’d have changed her plans just to be with him today.
Dan waved heartily as she approached the boat and offered a hand to help her get on. He seemed proud as punch, as he showed her round. He had set out the lounge area with his computer and sound system, and there was a seating area easily big enough for four.
‘This is really cool, Dan. Err, not sure about going on a chemical toilet.’ Jess turned her nose up.
Dan laughed. ‘God you’re a posh cow, there’s a toilet and shower block in the car park so you don’t have to.’
‘It’s much bigger than I thought too,’ Jess said as she took in her surroundings . ‘Let’s have a look at the bedroom then?’ Jess noticed the door to the end of the boat was closed. Dan put his fingers to his lips to shush her. There’s a special little girl in there having a nap, you can meet her in a minute. Jess smiled inside. At last she was going to meet Evie.
They climbed up to the top deck where Dan had placed a table and chairs. There was a bottle of wine chilling in a cooler. He laid out packet sandwiches and crisps. ‘I know it’s a bit cold to be sitting up here today, but I wanted to give you a feel of true boat life.’ He laughed.
‘I love days like these,’ Jess exclaimed. ‘Crisp and sunny. And just look at all those lovely swans.’ She lay back in her seat and took a sip of wine.
‘I’m glad we’re cool again Jess,’ Dan said softly.
They sat in silence looking at the water for a moment until Jess piped up. ‘So why the change of heart?’ Dan sighed and continued.
‘I guess I realised how much I missed you…’ He hesitated. ‘Look, Jess, I can’t promise you the world but you’re right. What we’ve got is special, and it does seem stupid to not go with it. I will be totally honest with you though, I don’t want to ever get married, or have any more kids in the near future.’ Jess didn’t want to think about what he’d said too deeply. All she knew was that she was so happy to be back with the man that she loved. ‘Jess, did you hear me? I’m being honest with you.’
‘I know you are, Dan, and I value your honesty a lot. It is a tricky one, but I love you. At the moment, that’s all that matters to me. You can never tell what’s around the corner. Throughout my life, all I’ve ever done is held my nose and jumped, and I always seemed to have landed in the right place.’
Dan laughed. His free-spirited lover was back right with him and he was glad. Suddenly he leapt up. ‘She’s awake, stay here until I call you. She’ll be grumpy for a couple of minutes while she fully wakes up.’
Jess could hear Dan talking to Evie. Seeing him as a father was really quite alien to her, but he sounded so sweet and reassuring that it made her love him even more. Jess made her way down to the lounge area. Evie was a pretty little thing, her white, blonde hair curled up at her collar, and her big blue knowing eyes looked Jess up and down. Jess didn’t think she bore any resemblance to Dan, but guessed at three years-old, she probably wouldn’t.
‘Evie say hello to Jessica,’ Dan urged. The little girl ran behind her daddy’s legs and hid.
‘No,’ she said abruptly.
‘Then you won’t be wanting any sweeties from my handbag then will you?’
Evie poked her head around from behind Dan’s legs. ‘Hello Jesska.’
‘Pleased to meet you, Evie. I love your Barbie jumper.’
‘Right, Evie, we are going upstairs to have some lunch now,’ Dan told his daughter.
Jess pulled the life jacket out of a carrier bag. ‘I thought she might need this.’ She hoped Dan wouldn’t think she was interfering. He smiled at Jess. ‘You are the most thoughtful person I’ve ever met.’ He kissed her on the cheek and Evie started to cry.
‘No, Jesska, that’s my daddy.’ This is going to be fun thought Jess, as she bit into a chicken sandwich.