Page 24 of The Second Chance Supper Club

‘Well, we don’t exactly have many cosy chats these days, Adam. The only conversations we’ve had lately are about financial or legal matters.’

‘Ah, yeah. I suppose …’

‘But from what I gather from Helen – you know, our old friends from down the road. She stayed over last weekend – from what I heard, I don’t think things are going so well with the new woman.’

‘Yeah, Steph. That makes sense then …’

Cath took a breath. He knew her evidently. Had they all been out for a cosy meal at some point? A getting-to-know-you-drink before he’d headed off on his travels? Even though Adam was an adult himself, and she might have guessed that’d happen, the thought of the three of them palling up made her feel awfully raw.

‘He made his bed …’ With his bloody floozie, Cath didn’t add, trying hard not to draw her son into her negative emotions. He shouldn’t have to feel he needed to take sides.

‘Yep, I know how much he hurt you, Mum.’

‘Well, it’s all water under the bridge …’ She was reverting to clichés, but Cath really didn’t want the conversation to turn dour, not when he was calling her from the other side of the world. ‘So where to next? Are you staying in Asia?’ She switched the subject. ‘Maybe another week or two tops … want to see Hong Kong.

And then, I have to confess the funds are running low, so it’ll soon be time to book a flight back to the UK.’ His voice dipped as though he was reluctant to return, to leave the adventures behind. The world of work and a sensible life loomed for him on an English horizon.

‘Oh well, it’ll be wonderful to see you again.’

‘Yeah, you too, Mum. Right, better go, Carl’s just got me a beer, and in this heat, it’ll be warm before I know it.’

‘Hah, get your priorities right, son.’ Cath laughed. ‘No worries, you enjoy it. Look forward to seeing you soon.’

‘You too. Love you, Mum.’

‘Love you. Cheers. Oh, and send me some pics. Including that minotaur.’

He gave a thumbs up along with a big grin, scanning his phone camera across the bay to show her the scene of the palmthatched-roof bar and a sun-glinting azure sea. A little piece of paradise. Then, he disappeared from the screen. Thousands of miles away, and yet always held close in her heart.

Chapter 17

It was now only a half hour to go until 7 p.m. and the arrival of her guests. And oh, what about a drink for their arrival? In light of Dan and Andreas’s bad news, she certainly didn’t want it to feel like a party, more a supportive gathering. Perhaps a good old G&T would be nice to start – she still had a third of a bottle in her cabinet, left from the last supper club.

She had also popped a bottle of sauvignon in the fridge earlier. Luckily, she kept a little stash of ‘emergency’ wine in her rack. A glass or two had helped get her through some lonely evenings over the past few months. It was heartwarming that she now had friends to share those bottles with, she mused, with a small smile.

Hi-ball glasses were placed on the kitchen side, lemon slices cut, and ice in the freezer. In the garden, the shed doors were opened, mix-and-match chairs at the ready, and the table set out with two green-glass tealight holders and a pretty patterned bowl filled with crisps. Cath found herself hovering, waiting for the doorbell to ring. Who would be first, she wondered. And an image popped to mind … ah, for goodness’ sake, stop thinking about those tightly toned muscles.

It wasn’t long before her question was answered. She responded to the doorbell’s chime to find Will standing there, thankfully in jeans and a shirt, with a small bunch of yellow and pink carnations, a bottle of red, and a smile. Oh, and those gentle hazel-brown eyes fixed right on her, beneath the salt-and-pepper-edged dark hair. ‘Thanks so much for organising this last minute.’

‘You’re very welcome. And thank you, these are lovely.’ She took the colourful bouquet.

‘Have you heard anything from the lads? About Andreas’s mother?’

‘Yes, I had a brief message back, saying that she was having some tests and that she was stable.’

‘Oh, well that’s reasonable news at least. Such a worry.’ ‘Yeah, it is. Oh, and come on in … sorry, we’re still stood on the step.’

He followed her through to the little kitchen. Just the two of them for now. He was wearing smart dark-denim jeans and a navy-and-white paisley patterned shirt. It suited him. Cath found herself feeling awfully warm, and she busied herself with finding a vase to pop the flowers in. What was the matter with her?

‘A G&T, or would you rather a glass of wine?’ she offered.

‘A gin would be lovely, thanks.’

She clinked some ice cubes into two of the glasses. But, before she had a chance to pour it, the doorbell was off again – phew, saved by the bell. ‘Oh, that must be Nikki. Won’t be a mo.’

‘Shall I do the honours?’ Will gestured towards the gin bottle.

‘That’d be great, thanks.’