‘You OK?’ he asked. ‘From what I can see in the lightning flashes, you’re frowning so hard it looks like your eyebrows might actually drop off.’

‘Still got all the smooth lines, haven’t you?’

‘I’m sure they’re still buried in here somewhere, not that I’ve used them in a long time. Besides, there’s no way I’d use a line on you. It’d be utterly pointless.’

‘Well, yes, of course. Absolutely.’

He gave the quilt one last tuck, before straightening. ‘You know me too well and would see straight through it.’ He turned and walked away to make the drinks before I could come up with a pithy – or any – reply. Perhaps there was no reply to be made. Except that I wasn’t sure I did know Jack these days. Felix had always been pretty astute, and he must have sensed there was more to Jack than met the eye long ago. And now Jack had discovered who he was, become content and grown. My life, on the other hand, had shrunk and I’d thought I was happy in my little bubble. I was happy in my little bubble, until Jack Coulsdon-Hart had walked through my door and back into my life.

18

‘You’re still frowning.’ Jack glanced over from where he was now highlighted by the light above the hob built into the kitchen island.

‘Ugh!’ I flung myself down and pulled the quilt over my head. ‘I remember the days I could frown in peace in my own home,’ I said from under the covers.

The only answer was a ripple of deep, warm laughter that filled the kitchen and wrapped itself around me before being drowned out by the storm.

We sat on the sofa, content in each other’s company, sipping our drinks. I’d made to move when he came over, but Jack had shaken his head, then put the drinks down on the side table before lifting my feet and sitting down again, resting them on his lap. Turning, he then reached and handed me a cup of steaming hot chocolate, made with full-fat milk and mini marshmallows, neither of which he’d have found in my cupboards ordinarily.

‘When did you sneak these goodies in?’ I said, before closing my eyes in bliss at the deliciousness. Outside, the storm raged but with both of us near, Clive seemed far more contented. I knew he wasn’t asleep, as his ears were twitching, but the rhythmic stroking of his side by Jack’s foot kept him settled as we huddled together, cosy and safe.

‘It’s always good to have emergency supplies.’

‘I wasn’t aware full-fat milk and mini marshmallows were considered vital for emergencies. I assume the British Armed Forces are aware of this.’

‘Absolutely. Where do you think I got the tip from?’

I smiled. Jack had left the light on over the hob and in the low light that reached this side of the diner, I saw him return it. And then it all went dark.