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He must have been point-scoring with Miri, or trying to win her back. But if that was the case, why choose Alyssa as his fake girlfriend? Was he that desperate?
Alyssa sighed. As Magda had pointed out, Jack was coping with a lot – a divorce in the making, the death of his mum, and now his father’s illness. So, she’d cut him some slack. But it would still be awkward when they next met up at Stan’s store.
Fortunately, her next shift wasn’t for a couple of days and, fingers crossed, much of the awkwardness might have worn off by then. It would be old news, she told herself, heading through Magda’s garden towards her caravan. Old news that, just like secrets, could be shoved under the carpet, never again to see the light of day.
Alyssa had reached her door when she heard the garden gate bang and someone calling her name. Swinging round, she groaned because Jack was running towards her, his long legs going nineteen to the dozen. He reached her and put his hands on his thighs, leaning over to catch his breath.
‘Sorry,’ he puffed. ‘I haven’t run that fast for ages. But I need to see you.’
‘I’ve just got home and need to have some lunch,’ said Alyssa, turning her key in the lock and pushing open the caravan door. Did this man know nothing about the concept of giving awkwardness some time to wear off?
‘I won’t take up much of your time.’ Jack straightened up, his cheeks flushed. ‘I only need to see you for a couple of minutes.’
Alyssa sighed. ‘Why?’
‘To say sorry. Can I come in?’
‘Are you going to be peculiar again?’
When he shook his head, she glanced across the garden, aware that Magda was watching them from her kitchen window. ‘OK,’ said Alyssa, keeping in mind her decision to cut Jack some slack. ‘Come in, but I haven’t got long.’
‘Thanks. I appreciate it.’
Alyssa stepped back and let Jack walk ahead of her into the caravan. And as he looked around, she saw the place through his eyes.
The caravan was tiny – there was no chance of swinging a cat, even if you were that way inclined. But it was tidy, clean and cheerful, brightened with colourful throws she’d found in a charity shop.
‘How long have you been living here?’ he asked.
‘Six months.’
‘It must have been freezing in winter.’
‘It did get a bit chilly.’
Actually, the caravan had been so cold when it snowed in January, Magda had let her sleep on her sofa bed for a few nights. But Alyssa didn’t want to prolong this conversation.‘You wanted to say sorry?’ she said, throwing her canvas bag into a corner. ‘Is that for dragging me into some deception involving your wife?’
‘Soon-to-be ex-wife,’ mumbled Jack.
‘Ex-wife – whatever. She seems to think we’re an item.’
‘I know. I panicked.’ Jack ran his hand through his hair.
‘You don’t seem the panicky type.’
‘Really? What type am I then?’ Jack shook his head. ‘Ignore that. It doesn’t matter what you think of me. I just wanted to apologise for letting Miri believe that you and I are, well, you know, together.’
‘Why did you panic?’ asked Alyssa, suddenly feeling sorry for him. He looked done in.
‘I’m not sure.’ He hesitated, as though deliberating whether to tell her or not. Then, he shrugged. ‘Oh, what the hell… I thought maybe Miri had come here to tell me she wanted to make another go of our marriage. But I was wrong. She came here to tell me that she’s seeing another man.’
‘Oh.’ Alyssa winced, not sure what to say. In the end, she managed: ‘That’s sad. I’m very sorry.’
‘He’s called Damian,’ declared Jack, putting his hands on his hips as if this was an appalling fact.
‘Right.’ Alyssa paused as he waited for her verdict on his love rival’s name. ‘Um, he sounds a bit… Omen-y?’
‘Absolutely!’ Jack raised his hands to the sky. ‘That’s exactly what I thought.’
