by Zoe Allison
They turned along the sweeping driveway, which led to the stately home that’d been turned into an upmarket hotel over two decades earlier. The spa was a new addition that Eva had yet to see.
Meena checked them into the spa reception and they were led through to a sunlit sitting room with wicker chairs to await their therapists. Ambient music was playing in the background.
Eva leaned back. “Ah, this is the life.” She glanced at Meena, who was sipping at a cup of peppermint tea. Does this woman ever miss an opportunity to drink tea?
A therapist entered the room to call Meena. As she disappeared through the door, another spa employee entered to call Eva.
The pretty blonde therapist smiled. “Eva Mathers, is that you?”
It was someone Eva recognised. “Jane! Long time, no see.”
Jane indicated for Eva to follow her through the door and they started along a low-lit hallway. “I know. I don’t think I’ve seen you since school. What a nice surprise. Are you home for the weekend?”
Eva hesitated. “No…I’m back for a while.”
Jane opened a door and gestured for Eva to enter. “Let’s have a chat while I do your manicure.”
The treatment room was warm and welcoming, and a soothing scent lingered in the air. Eva sat at the manicure table and Jane took out some oils and started massaging her hands. Maybe if I just stay here forever? I can relax and never think about Callum again… She shook her head in order to knock his name out of it. She smiled at Jane. “How long have you worked here?”
“Ever since it opened,” Jane said, placing Eva’s hands into a warm soak. “It’s such a great place.”
Eva watched her take out various bottles and equipment, remembering how Jane’s easy optimism had always been an attractive feature at school, despite them not being close friends.
Jane dried off Eva’s hands. “How’re things going for you, career-wise? I think it was medicine you went into?”
Eva nodded. “I work in general practice.”
Jane took out a bottle and started painting Eva’s nails. “Still in Scotland?”
Eva hesitated. “Up until now, yes.” She cleared her throat. “Do you see anyone from school?”
Jane deftly moved from one nail to the next with her brush. “A couple of people. You tend to hear a lot of the gossip from just a few mouths.” She glanced up to meet Eva’s eyes and smiled, before returning her gaze to the task in hand. “Speaking of which,” Jane added. “Did you hear the bad news about Damon and Sarah?”
The sound of his name caused an image of his smile to flash through her mind. “Yes, I did. It’s a shame it didn’t work out.”
Jane set her mouth in a thin line. “Not for some people. Tracey seemed quite pleased to hear about it.”
Eva frowned. “Tracey McKenna?”
Jane nodded.
Tracey was a fellow pupil in their year at school. She hadn’t been Eva’s favourite person because she used to bitch about all the girls, especially Eva, behind their backs.
Tracey had, however, been very popular as far as the boys had been concerned and had totted up many a notch on her bedpost during her teenage years. Rumour had it that she’d been Damon’s first. That’d been a bitter pill for Eva to swallow at the time.
Eva blinked. “Isn’t that water under the bridge?”
“You’d have thought so,” Jane said. “We aren’t sixteen anymore. But Tracey is a friend of a friend and apparently she still carries a torch for him. She’s been single for a while since she broke up with her long-term partner.”
Eva sighed. “Everyone’s splitting up at the moment. It’s thoroughly depressing.”
Jane glanced at Eva’s face. “Are you okay?”
Eva swallowed. “I suppose the rumour mill will turn to me before too long, so I might as well come clean. My husband and I are getting divorced.”
Jane frowned. “I’m sorry. Here’s me blabbing about relationships ending and making you feel bad.”
Eva shook her head. “No need to apologize. I need to get over it sooner or later. It’s been nearly five months.”
“Has it?” Jane said. “Are you going to stay here permanently?”
Eva nodded. “There’s nothing keeping me in Scotland now. I’d always intended to come back here so I could be near my family, and Callum was the only thing stopping me.”
Jane returned to nail painting. “Are you staying with your parents?”
Eva watched Jane stroke the varnish down her nail. “Yeah, for now…until I figure out what I want.”
Jane glanced up. “If you need anything, just ask. Perhaps we can get a drink sometime. Do you still see Rachel? Maybe the three of us could meet up.”
Eva nodded. “Rachel and I are still close. We’re going to get together one night soon. I can let you know when. It’d be fab if you could join us.”
“Great.” Jane smiled. “I’ll slip a card with my number into your bag. I don’t want you smudging your nails.”
After they’d finished, Eva met up with Meena and they had lunch in the hotel restaurant.
Eva leaned back in her chair, rubbing her full belly. “I could get used to this.” She grinned. “Are you going to treat me every weekend now that I’m home?”
Meena set her teacup down. “Ha. I’m not made of money. But it’d be lovely to make time for us to get together, especially once you get your own place.” Meena took Eva’s hand. “Though you know I’d love to have you stay forever.”
Eva gave her mother’s hand a squeeze. “Thank you. So, where to now?”
“Let’s head to the shops and get you some nice things.”
Two work outfits, two sparkly tops and one little black dress later, they loaded their purchases into Meena’s car.
Eva closed the boot. “Thanks, Mum. I never would’ve thought to try on that dress. On the hanger it looked like it wouldn’t suit me.”
Meena raised her eyebrows. “It’s always best to try things, Eva, otherwise you’ll never know.”
Meena had persuaded Eva to wear one of her new tops home. It was loose with a scoop neck and gathered at the waist, accentuating her curves.
Meena checked her watch before they got into the car.
Eva frowned. “Are you worried we’ll be late home for Dad?”
Meena cleared her throat. “No. It’s just I said I would pop into Lily’s on the way back. I need to drop something off that I borrowed.”
Eva settled into her seat. “No worries. It’d be nice to see Auntie Lily.”
Meena smiled. “Great.”
Chapter Four
They pulled up outside Lily and Alastair’s house. Meena turned to Eva. “Go ring the doorbell, beti. I just need to get something out of the boot.”
Eva unbuckled and climbed out while her mum went to the rear of the vehicle. She walked over to the front door and a small movement caught the corner of her eye. She could’ve sworn that the living room curtain had just twitched. She stared for a moment but couldn’t see anyone. Must’ve been my imagination.
She pressed the doorbell and waited. There was a delay and she looked over her shoulder to see what was taking Meena so long. She was rummaging around in the boot. The sound of the door opening caused Eva to turn her head back and she smiled, ready to greet Lily. However the person answering the door was tall and handsome rather than small and feminine.
“Damon,” she said, her mouth drying up. For a moment she couldn’t think what to say. “Sorry… We weren’t expecting to see you. Mum just needed to drop something off for Auntie Lily.”
He did a double take, glancing down at her new top and back to meet her gaze. “No worries. It’s great to see you both.” He smiled. “Come in. Mum was here but she had to rush off to the bathroom just as you rang the bell.”
The twitch of the curtain entered Eva’s mind but it was swept away as she passed Damon and her arm skimmed his. A thousand goosebumps erupted out of nowhere.
Meena followed her, giving Damon a quick peck
on the cheek. Eva wished she’d thought of doing that. She eyed her mother who, despite her rummaging in the car, had no such ‘borrowed’ item on her person.
Damon took them along the hallway into the kitchen. “Mum,” he said, frowning. “I thought you were upstairs?”
“No,” Lily said. “I mean, yes, I was. But I’m back down now.” She hugged Meena and Eva.
Meena touched Damon’s arm. “It’s so nice to see you. We weren’t expecting it.”
Damon’s frown gave way to a smile. “You too, Auntie Meena. You’re looking fantastic, as always.”
Eva smiled. Damon always had that easy way with people. He was charming and flirtatious. When she’d been younger, she’d constantly analyse the compliments he gave her, desperate to read more into them but knowing it was just his nature—and he was the same with everyone.
She gazed on while he spoke to her mum, admiring his smile and the curve of his lips. His hair was different today, styled a little higher over his head and brushed back, even more tempting for running her fingers through. He was wearing a white T-shirt that showed off his natural tan and honed biceps. She thought about the brush of his arm against hers when she’d entered the house and she shivered.
Lily squeezed Eva’s shoulders. “I was thinking Damon should do the gentlemanly thing and take Eva out one evening for a drink. He can update her on all the young people’s things going on in Oakcastle nowadays.”
Eva glanced from Damon’s physique to his face. He raised his eyebrow at his mother. Then he locked eyes with Eva and the butterflies that were already gathering in her stomach went into overdrive. He held her gaze for a moment then glanced back at the two older women. “I think you should let Eva decide who she wants to hang out with.”
Lily and Meena looked at Eva. She cleared her throat. “I don’t want to put Damon out. I’m sure he’s got better things to do than babysit me.”
“Nonsense,” Lily said. “What’s your number? Damon, get out your phone and put it in. Then he can face-chat you, or whatever it’s called, to arrange something.”
Damon shrugged and obeyed. Eva momentarily forgot her own number then managed to stutter out the digits. He typed them into his phone. As he lifted his T-shirt to place the phone back in his pocket, Eva caught a glimpse of toned abdomen and nearly fainted on the spot.
Lily and Meena finished their conversation with Eva feeling awkward on the outskirts. Then Meena declared they needed to get back because Matthew was making them dinner.
Lily led them to the door with Damon bringing up the rear behind Eva. Eva watched the two mums hug goodbye as if they weren’t going to meet again for months, even though they were getting together the next day for badminton.
Damon leaned to whisper in her ear. The sensation of his breath on her cheek sent a shiver down her spine and her heart into overdrive. “I’ll send you a text, or maybe ‘face-chat’ you later.”
She turned to him and he was grinning at his mother’s expense. He gave her a wink, turning her legs to jelly.
She managed a smile then gave a conspiratorial tap of her finger to the side of her nose. Damon laughed.
After they’d left the house, Eva again found herself analysing his behaviour, searching for any clues that he might feel even an iota of the attraction that she had towards him but there was nothing. He’d sounded reluctant to get her number then was nonchalant when he took it, even making a joke out of the whole thing at the end. She needed to get over it and accept that he only saw her as a friend.
Damon went back into his house, through the living room and collapsed onto the sofa. His trip to the gym hadn’t had the desired effect. He still couldn’t stop thinking about Eva.
He sighed. She may have been really pretty at school but nowadays she was downright drop-dead gorgeous. Her shoulder-length hair was wavy and dark with flecks of red, and it framed her green eyes. Her figure hadn’t escaped his notice either. She’d been dressed casually at the shop the previous morning, but her curves had still been apparent under her fitted hoodie and skinny jeans.
After he’d called her back to give her the eggs, he’d nearly asked her for her phone number but decided that’d be inappropriate. The woman had only just arrived home after the heartbreak of her marriage ending. She didn’t need some guy she hardly knew anymore sleazing on her.
When his mum had mysteriously asked him to pop over and change a light bulb, he hadn’t been expecting to see Eva but was delighted that he had, albeit taken off guard. It appeared as though she were dressed to go out somewhere in that sparkly top that accentuated her gorgeous curves. He ran a hand through his hair. Was she going out later on? Is she seeing someone? The idea of that made him feel sick for some reason. Surely she hasn’t been home long enough to meet anyone yet? But then again someone like her must get loads of attention. She was beautiful, intelligent and witty to boot.
He groaned and lifted his phone. Ever since the chance meeting earlier that day, he’d repeatedly gone to text her then chickened out and put the phone away again. He didn’t know what to do. He wanted to message her but he kept remembering the expression of horror on her face when his mum had suggested he get her number, and the fact that she’d tried to get out of it by saying she didn’t want him to babysit her.
He stared at the phone screen. But he did say he’d text, and he really would like to see her again, even if she only wanted to be friends. Finally he decided to bite the bullet.
So, Dr. Mathers, if I didn’t know better, I’d say our mums are trying to set us up.
He put the phone down and tried to forget about it but ended up checking it every minute until it buzzed with Eva’s reply.
What? Really? No way
Yes, really. My brilliant powers of deduction have concluded this.
Nice one, Sherlock. You really are a genius.
Ha! You’re right. I am. Seriously though, if you do want a grab a drink sometime—just as friends of course—that’d be cool. Would be good to catch up.
That sounds great. Whenever you’re free is fine by me. My social calendar is a bit light right now.
Damon sighed. She’d hooked on the idea after he’d said it’d be just as friends. He figured adding that part would be the only way she’d go for it. But that was fine. He was happy to be friends, if nothing else.
I’ve got the kids this weekend, but how about the weekend after? I’ll treat you to a drink in the Swan next Saturday night. Please try to contain your excitement.
Brilliant. Looking forward to seeing whether my feet still stick to the carpet. Will text you nearer then to arrange time.
He smiled as he put his phone away. Maybe nothing romantic would ever happen between them, but he could never have too many friends.
Chapter Five
Eva brushed her hair then applied a little makeup. She was excited to see Rachel and Jane and have a proper talk. It’d been months since she’d seen Rachel face to face. They’d been best friends since school.
She smoothed down the sparkly top that she’d last worn on the afternoon Meena and Lily had ambushed her and Damon. She remembered Damon’s texts from that night and her heart lifted at the thought of seeing him again but then sank a little on thinking how he’d deliberately spelt out the ‘just as friends’ part. She shook her head. It’d still be great to see him. They got on well and she needed all the friends she could get right now. Matthew gave Eva a lift into town. On pulling up outside the bar, he looked at her. “Be careful that there aren’t any scoundrels in there trying to get their hands on you.”
Eva laughed. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve had enough of scoundrels to last a lifetime.”
Matthew glanced at her with a smile. “Good.”
She kissed his cheek and left the vehicle to head for the entrance. On passing through the doorway, she scanned the room for her friends. They were waving from a table by the window.
Eva approached and Rachel jumped up to grab her in a tight hug. “Missed you.”
“Miss
ed you too,” Eva said. “But I can’t breathe. You’re bloody strong.”
Rachel released her and grinned, her dark poker-straight bob framing her smile.
Eva sat next to Jane and gave her a hug too. She turned back to Rachel. “How’re Marcus and the girls?”
Rachel smiled. “Who cares? I’m out for the evening.”
Eva laughed. “What’re you guys drinking?”
“Champagne cocktails,” Rachel said. “We’re celebrating.”
Eva frowned. “Celebrating what?”
Rachel took a sip of her drink. “You being back home—and also being rid of Callum the arsehole.”
Jane coughed on her drink and glanced at Eva.
Eva smiled. “You know what? That sounds like a great idea.” She signalled a passing waiter to bring her the same drink.
Jane sipped her cocktail. “We also need to celebrate Rachel’s news.”
Eva raised her eyebrows and glanced at Rachel. “Oh?”
Rachel grinned. “I got the partnership.”
Eva stood to hug her. “That’s brilliant! Well done, I knew you’d get it. You’re the best accountant in that place.”
Rachel smiled. “Thank you.”
The waiter approached and furnished Eva with her drink. She took her seat again to raise her glass. “To Rachel’s partnership.”
They clinked glasses.
Jane raised hers towards Eva. “And to Eva.”
Rachel stood. “To freedom!”
Eva laughed and took a large swallow of her cocktail.
Rachel took her seat. “What’s been happening since you got back?”
Eva screwed up her face.
Rachel raised her eyebrow. “What does that expression mean?”
Eva sighed. “Mum’s being sneaky.”
Jane frowned. “Sneaky?”
Eva nodded. She turned to Jane. “Her best friend is Damon Evans’ mum, Lily. They’ve been engineering meetings between us.”
