Kate laughed, told him she loved him and ordered him to behave himself until she got to Mill House.
‘Does that mean I don’t have to once you come?’
‘Certainly not,’ she said primly. ‘Thank you for ringing, Jack. I was feeling pretty tense.’
‘I thought you might be. Do you feel better now?’
‘Yes. I love you, Jack.’
She heard a quick intake of breath. ‘I love you too, my darling. See you soon, and don’t be late.’
Feeling a lot more prepared to face the day, Kate got up and had a bath, then came out to find Jo on the landing, her eyes anxious.
‘Are you all right, Kate?’
‘I’m fine. Sorry I gave you such a fright. I’d promise not to do it again, if I could.’
‘I don’t mind! I was just worried you might fall on the stairs.’
‘It’s never happened yet,’ Kate assured her briskly. ‘Right then, your turn in the bath.’
There was much discussion as to the appropriate wear for lunch at Mill House but knowing that Jo would inevitably spend time with Bran in the garden, Kate advised jeans and sweaters again for both of them and for Jo a chunky navy fleece with a hood in case it was chilly later on. Jo spent the morning making more cakes for Jack and, once these were iced and carefully packed in a plastic box, she begged to take off for Mill House.
‘Jack won’t mind if we’re a bit early, will he?’
‘You just want to see Bran,’ accused Kate, laughing.
‘True.’ Jo’s eyes danced. ‘But you want to see Jack!’
When Kate turned down the drive to Mill House Jo’s eyes were like saucers.
‘Gosh, you were right,’ she breathed in awe. ‘It is a big garden.’ She bit her lip, frowning.
‘What’s up now?’
Jo’s knuckles were white as she gripped the box of cakes. ‘If Jack is this rich I can’t give him cakes as a present.’
‘I can assure you,’ said Kate with conviction, ‘that he would like nothing better. Anyone can go out and buy something—like me. But you made him something with your own fair hands. Mega Brownie points for that, believe me.’
Jo relaxed, then said ‘Wow!’ as the house came into view. ‘What a place—oh, and look, there’s Mr Logan with Bran.’ She put the box on the floor and was out of the car almost before Kate switched off the ignition. ‘Hi, Mr Logan, hello Bran.’
Tom helped Kate from the car, smiling as he watched his granddaughter frolicking with the excited dog. ‘How are you, my love?’
‘As well as can be expected,’ she said wryly, kissing him, then smiled radiantly as Jack came out of the house, a look in his eyes that warmed her right down to her toes. ‘Good morning. How are you?’
‘All the better for seeing you,’ he assured her, and put his arm round her as he kissed her.
Joanna abandoned the dog to run to him. ‘Hello, Jack. Happy Easter.’
‘Likewise. Do I get a kiss too?’
Joanna promptly obliged, then turned to Tom Logan and reached up to kiss his cheek. ‘Happy Easter, Mr Logan.’
‘And a Happy Easter to you, sweetheart,’ he said, clearing his throat. ‘Let’s go inside. Molly wants to meet you. It’s all right, Jo,’ he added, eyes twinkling. ‘Bran can come too.’
‘I’ve got to get something from the car first,’ she said and ran to get her box of cakes. ‘It’s a little Easter present for you, Jack,’ she said diffidently, taking off the lid.
He stood very still for a moment as he saw the cakes. Then he handed the box to his father and hugged Jo close. ‘Thank you, pet. That’s the nicest present I’ve ever had.’
‘It certainly puts mine in the shade,’ said Kate, resigned, and handed him one of the carrier bags she took out of the car. ‘I’ve got one for you too, Tom.’
There was much laughter as the men received large chocolate Easter eggs with Tom written on one in white icing, and Jack on the other.
‘But you have to share with me,’ warned Kate. ‘I love chocolate.’
‘She certainly does,’ said Jo as they went into the house. ‘Kate ate more than half the box you gave me, Jack.’
‘It’s amazing she stays so slim,’ he said, shaking his head, and smiled as he went into the kitchen. ‘Molly, you’ve met Kate of course, but this is Joanna.’
‘Hello, Miss Durant.’ Molly wiped her hand on her apron and held it out, smiling. ‘Hi, Joanna. I hear you went to a party last night. Did you have a good time?’