‘We’re eating in about twenty minutes. So…’ Retrieving the salmon fillets from her bag, Jenna tried to keep her voice casual. ‘You haven’t mentioned Fraser before. Is he nice?’
‘He has a nose ring, five tattoos, long hair and swears all the time.’ Lexi rubbed Rebel’s glossy fur with her hands. ‘You’re going to love him—isn’t she, Reb?’
With a wry smile, Jenna put the salmon under the grill. ‘Lexi, you wait until you’re a worried mother—’
‘I’m not going to be like you. I’m going to trust my kids.’
Jenna sensed this was one of those moments when it was imperative to say the right thing. ‘I trust you, Lexi,’ she said quietly. ‘You’re a bright, caring, funny girl. But you’re still a child—’
‘I’m nearly sixteen—you’re so over-protective.’
‘I care about you. And you are still a child. Child going on woman, but still…I know all this has been hard on you. And being a teenager isn’t easy.’
‘What? You remember that far back?’ But Lexi was smiling as she picked up Rebel’s bowl. ‘We’re having fish again? I’m going to start swapping meals with the dog.’
‘I thought you liked fish.’
‘I do. But you never used to cook it in London. Now we have it almost every meal!’
‘I didn’t cook it in London because Dad hated it.’ But Clive wasn’t here now, and she was cooking what she wanted. And loving it, Jenna mused, mixing a teriyaki sauce to add to the salmon.
‘Given that you’re into all this healthy lifestyle stuff, I assume I can go for a walk on the beach with Fraser later?’
Jenna felt as though she was treading over broken glass. If she said no, she’d be accused of not trusting, and that could trigger a rebellious response. If she said yes, she’d worry all evening. ‘Yes,’ she croaked, washing a handful of tomatoes and adding them to the salad. ‘All I ask is that you’re home before dark.’
‘Why? I can have sex in daylight just as easily as in the dark.’
Jenna closed her eyes. ‘Lexi—’
‘But I’m not going to. Credit me with some sense, Mum. You know I’m not going to do that. You’ve given me the sex, love, marriage talk often enough.’
‘You’ve got it in the wrong order,’ Jenna said weakly. ‘And you’ve missed out contraception.’ It was impossible not to be aware that Lexi was only a couple of years younger than she had been when she’d become pregnant.
Lexi rolled her eyes and then walked over and hugged her. ‘Just chill, Mum.’
Astonished by the unexpected show of affection, Jenna felt a lump in her throat. ‘That’s nice. A hug.’
‘Yeah—well, I’m sorry I was difficult about moving here. It’s a pretty cool place. I didn’t mean to be a nightmare.’
Jenna felt a rush of relief. ‘You’re not a nightmare, baby. I’m glad you’re settling in.’
‘It would be great if you could worry less.’
‘It would be great if you could give me less to worry about.’
‘OK. If I’m going to do something really bad, I’ll warn you.’
‘Lexi—about Fraser…’
‘If you’re going to talk to me about boys, Mum, don’t waste your time. I probably know more than you anyway.’
Jenna blinked. That was probably true. She’d only ever had one boyfriend, and she’d married him at eighteen.
And he’d left her at thirty-two.
Lexi stole a tomato from the salad. ‘We’re just friends, OK? Mates. He’s really easy to talk to. He really gets stuff. His dad—’ She broke off and then shrugged. ‘His dad walked out, too. When he was nine. That’s why his mum came here.’
‘Oh…’