Chapter Ten
‘Are you sure I can’twalk you to the door?’
‘No, it’s fine. You need to get to your parents’ dinner, and you’ve still got to drop Axl off first.’ Evie opened the car door before pausing and looking back at him. ‘Thank you for a lovely evening. Unusual, but lovely.’
Jack grinned. ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it. As first dates, or not, go, I’ve got to admit that was my most unusual offering.’
Looking at him, she twisted her nan’s ring around her finger. ‘You have brown eyes.’
‘So, I’m told.’ He frowned. ‘Although, I’ve got to admit I haven’t checked in a while.’
She smiled. ‘Right, I’d better let you go. Thank you.’
‘You too.’
Stepping out of the car, she leaned back in. ‘I meant that in a good way. When I called the evening unusual.’
Nodding, Jack grinned.
‘Bye.’ Closing the door, she looked down the little lane ahead of her. He had brown eyes? Why had she said that? He would think that she’d been looking now. She looked at the small lane in front of her. She didn’t think she was far from the bakery. Jack had driven past it and up a hill. It could only be a short walk back. Making her way towards Carrie’s home, she walked through the tiny front garden, lavender knocking against her jeans, unleashing the beautiful strong aroma as the front door opened.
‘Hi, you must be Evie? Elsie said you were going to try to pop by. I’m Carrie.’ Carrie stepped aside, inviting Evie inside.
‘Hi, thank you for inviting me. Well, not inviting me, but letting Elsie invite me.’ She frowned. ‘Sorry, that didn’t come out the way I envisioned.’
Laughing, Carrie hugged her. ‘I know what you mean. Are you okay with dogs? I’ve got Winston, who’s a little Westie, but I’ve also got Scout here, Daniel’s dog.’
‘Yes, that’s fine.’ Slipping her trainers off, Evie followed Carrie into the living room.
‘Oh good, love. I’m glad you could make it.’ Standing up, Elsie hugged her tightly before sitting back down. ‘This is Daisy, here.’
‘Hi, Daisy.’
‘Hi, lovely to meet you.’ Daisy stood up and hugged Evie before pointing to a door at the end of the living room and patting her belly. ‘I must run to the loo. Sorry. I don’t even think this little one is big enough to be dancing on my bladder, but that’s what it feels like.’
Evie grinned as a large, lanky Alsatian unfurled from an armchair in the window and bounded up to her. ‘Hello, boy. You must be Scout.’
‘Yep, that’s Scout. Sorry.’ Carrie laughed as Scout jumped up at Evie. ‘Scout, get down.’
‘He’s okay.’ Fussing him behind the ears, Evie grinned.
‘Have you eaten? We’ve just got some pizza, so help yourself.’ Sitting down in the armchair, Carrie pointed to a large pizza box on the coffee table.
‘Thank you.’ After the excitement of rescuing Axl earlier, Evie hadn’t even thought about food, but her stomach began to rumble at the mere mention of pizza.
‘Come and sit down, love. I’ll move this little one across.’ Elsie scooped up a small white dog and leaned back as he curled up on her lap. ‘I’m sure Winston thinks he’s a cat.’
‘Aw, he’s lovely.’ Evie stroked the small dog’s nose.
‘He is a cutie.’ Carrie grinned.
‘So, go on, where did Jack take you this evening?’ Elsie picked up a slice of pizza.
Evie laughed. ‘To some woodland to rescue a crow called Axl, believe it or not.’