Page 26 of The Second Chance Supper Club

‘We can certainly provide that,’ added Will.

‘And I’ve had lots of experience with youngsters in my teaching role. Our supper group might be a nice space for her to try out her cooking skills, and also to take a bit of time out. That’s important too. A Levels can be a really stressful time.’

‘Aw, thanks, guys, that sounds brilliant.’

They sat for a while longer, enjoying the evening sunshine and sipping refreshing gin, continuing to chat about their prospective weeks so far.

‘Right, well, I just need to nip back to the house to get the starter ready.’ Cath was getting up on her feet. ‘Lovely Andreas dropped in the most amazing feta dish that he’d prepared for us. It just takes a short while in the oven, so I won’t be long. Another gin, guys? Or are you ready for a glass of wine? I can bring up a bottle of white if you like and then one of you can do the honours.’

‘Wine sounds good.’ Nikki was settled in to her chair with a tired but relaxed smile.

‘Yep, and I’ll come down and fetch it. No need to be dashing around for us. We can help,’ offered Will thoughtfully, those meltingly dark eyes fixed on hers.

‘Ah, thank you.’

He followed her down the slightly rickety paved steps. ‘It’s great of you to step in this evening, Cath. But I hope we’ve not put too much on you.’

‘Honestly, it’s fine. It’s nice to have company … and well, I was really looking forward to this evening, getting together again. Shame for the lads, and the circumstances of course, but we’ll have to do something special for them another time.’ ‘Yeah, we will. Andreas and Dan are such fun … and they’re so kind, too. Honestly, they try and look after everyone in the village, where they can. That little shop is more than just a store, it’s a kind of community hub.’ He took a slow breath and looked a bit wistful.

‘Oh yes, I’ve got that impression already.’

‘I’d love to be able to thank them by hosting a meal. I just wish my cooking skills were up to scratch. I’m not sure if I can match any of this …’ He gestured at the food already prepped and on the side. ‘Hah, we might have to go to the pub when it’s my turn. Probably be the safest option …’

Cath looked up. He really did seem a nice guy, despite her early misgivings. ‘And if so, I’m sure that would be lovely, too. But cooking wise, it’s all about keeping it simple and using good ingredients, nothing too fancy. But hey, if you’d like any lessons …’ The words were out before she’d even had time to think about it, oops. An image rose of her and Will all cosy in her galley kitchen cooking together. And why did that suddenly make her blush? It wasn’t as though there was anything at all between them. She was still in her no-go relationship-free zone. Far too problematic.

‘Ah, well, one day I might just have to take you up on that.’ Will’s smile was warm, yet there was a flicker of lingering sadness in his eyes.

And that touched her heart, too. The poor guy must have had a hell of a lot to deal with losing his wife. The cooking offer, well, it was just a friend helping out a friend after all, Cath told herself. But why was she feeling a bit flustered?

After opening the bottle of chilled white wine, and passing it to Will to take back up to the summerhouse, Cath popped a sourdough baguette to warm in the oven beside the feta bake. That’s when the doorbell went. Oh, had the lads managed to get away early? Perhaps visiting hours were over or something?

Hopefully, it might mean that Maria was suddenly better and had been let out quickly.

Cath nipped to the door to find out … and there, stood facing her, was not at all who she’d imagined.

Chapter 18

‘What on earth are you doing here?’ Cath’s mouth gaped open. It was the last person she expected to find on her doorstep.

‘Just thought I’d drop by.’ He sounded so damned casual. ‘Trevor, you live two and a half hours away.’ What the hell?! Out of the blue, and right in the middle of her supper do, her bloody ex had decided to turn up! It was seven-thirty at night. What was going on?

‘Uhm, well, I’m busy. I’ve got friends around. You haven’t even called … to let me know you were coming or anything.’ She was flabbergasted.

‘Yes, sorry. It was all a bit last minute. Impulsive …’

Since when had Trevor been impulsive? Well, certainly not with her, anyhow. But here he was.

‘Well, I suppose you’d better come in … for a minute.’ What the heck was she meant to do with him now? She found herself feeling irritable. All those times, early on, when she’d desperately wanted him to turn up to say he was sorry, that he’d got it all wrong. But not now … not when she had a supper party on the go, and certainly not when her world was just starting to turn around.

He trailed after her to the kitchen like a spectre, looking a bit dishevelled and downtrodden. His normally trimmed dark hair – he’d somehow managed to avoid many greys as yet – lay lank and slightly straggly. ‘Ooh, something smells good,’ he perked up.

It did indeed; the feta, honey and rosemary aromas were drifting from the oven. Oh yes, the arrogant git would be inviting himself for dinner next. Well, that was so not going to happen. He couldn’t just turn up like this.

‘Like I said, I’m busy,’ Cath repeated, ‘I’ve got friends here for supper.’

‘Oh, I was hoping we could chat. Have a bit of a catch-up.’ ‘Oh, finally … when it suits you. You decide to turn up out of the bloody blue, and want a nice cosy chat. Well, now is not convenient.’

‘I’m sorry, Cath, really I am … I just felt I had to come, to see you, explain a few things.’