‘Welcome to my new abode.’ Jess gave Emma a welcoming kiss. She had come round for a coffee and natter while the children were all at school.
‘Come on then show me round,’ Emma said excitedly.
Jess glanced sidelong at Emma. She did love her friend dearly and, at that moment, was sorely tempted to tell her about her tête-à-tête with Alex and about Evie being Sam’s, but managed to hold it back. She knew for all concerned that she just had to keep it a secret. Nobody would ever need to know. Two weeks after her meeting with Alex, Jess was delighted to have found a mid-terrace two-bedroom cottage in the same village as Fern Cottage. It was within walking distance to Freya’s school and reminded her very much of Morley Mansions, where she used to live before she met Sam.
‘Some of the furniture is a bit questionable I know, but it made sense to rent furnished. I can add in my own bits and pieces as time goes on. Just didn’t want to blow the little bit of money I have got saved just yet.’
‘It’s lovely, Jess, I just love all the fireplaces in every room and it already has a really homely feel to it.’
‘Bit smaller than I’m used to I know, but plenty of room for me and little missy. She loves her bedroom, mainly because the walls are pink.’
Emma was delighted to see her beautiful friend so buoyant. Jess continued with enthusiasm.
‘I’m all set up on broadband now so even have a link to the outside world. I’ve felt like I’ve been in a bubble for the past couple of months but I’m ready to start afresh now.
‘I’m so pleased, Jess, it’s good to see you getting yourself sorted. Have you thought what you are going to do work wise?’
‘Well the writing idea has gone out of the window for now. I think to be honest I’m going to stick to what I know and do some freelance event jobs. I don’t want to take too much on because of Freya. I’ve found out the day rates from an agency I’ve worked with before and they are really quite good.’
‘Well that’s positive. Maybe you can look at your writing as a hobby and see what happens?’
‘Yes, I did think that. Make it fun rather than relying on it. Every little bit of extra cash will help.’
Just then the phone rang. ‘Sorry, Em, I’ll just quickly take this.’ It was Jonathan, her solicitor. ‘OK, right, understand. Is there anything I need to do?’ Jess fiddled with her hair as she listened intently.
‘Oh, Jonathan. That is the best news I have heard in quite some time. Thank you so much for making my day.’ She hung up, grabbed Emma around the waist and danced around the kitchen with her. ‘You’ll never guess what!’ Jess was beaming. ‘The Cornwall cottage was solely in my name. We bought it outright all those years ago. I never even knew. It’s mine, Em, and nobody can touch it!’
‘Oh, Jess, that is just fantastic.’
‘What a complete relief.’ Jess almost sang. ‘Seagull Cottage is mine, all mine.’
She ran around again like an excited child.
‘Right, tea and carrot cake to celebrate.’ They settled at the kitchen table.
‘Now, Jessica Morley, I want to hear all about Prague.’
Jess liked to be called by her maiden name now. She had decided she would keep the name Beresford for Freya’s sake but, as soon as she could, she would change it back to plain old Morley.
‘Prague was fine. It seems like eons ago now.’
‘Fine? What sort of description is that, Jess?’
‘Well OK it was more than fine. Dan was a complete angel. He treated me like a princess actually: paid for everything, booked the best hotel and best restaurant. He couldn’t have done anymore to make the whole weekend special.’
‘I can feel a but coming on though, Jess?’
‘Something awful happened actually. It was my own stupid fault really. I said I wanted to go dancing so we queued outside a nightclub for ages.’
Emma began to chuckle. ‘I can’t even imagine going into a nightclub at our age, Jess.’
‘Well, I know that now, but you know what I’m like. I was really drunk and didn’t care. Anyway, some young lads behind us implied that I was Dan’s mother. I can’t tell you how mortified I was, Em.’
Emma couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Look, Jess, I know I shouldn’t laugh – but it is quite funny in a way.’
Jess started to laugh too. ‘I know, but on a more serious note, Em, the age gap is big. Dan adores me and says is doesn’t matter, but I think now it does matter to me. When I’m sixty, he will be just forty-four and we both know that is still young. Hope assures me that Botox will save the day, but I want to grow old gracefully, Emma.’
‘Wasn’t it you who always said that age had no boundaries in the name of love? Emma prompted. ‘And I think growing old disgracefully will be much more fun!’
‘Well OK yes.’ Jess laughed and hesitated. ‘Maybe I just don’t love Dan like I used to.’ She sighed and took a mouthful of tea.
‘Don’t get me wrong, the same old electricity is there. I could eat him sometimes. It’s just he’s not on my mind the whole time like he used to be all those years ago. He’s not my world anymore.’
‘But, Jess, we are older now. Maybe you are just approaching your relationship in a more sensible fashion. Face it, you were so hedonistic in your late thirties.’
Jess smiled. ‘And my goodness what fun it was!’
‘Anyway he’s coming over this weekend to stay with Evie. It will be really odd to see her again after all these years but I am really looking forward to meeting her. It’s amazing to think she’s thirteen now.’
‘God I remember when she was just three years old and you came round mine, tearing your hair out as she was such a little madam.’
‘Yes I remember that too. She did used to lead me a merry dance.’ On realising the time Jess jumped up. ‘Right, school run time, we’d better get going.’