Jack and Isla

EIGHT

Friday came round and the first phone call of the day that William had received was from Emily, letting him know that Matt was coming home. There was a general buzz about the lads and everyone seemed desperate for the BBQ for Freddie the following day, ready to celebrate after a stressful week for everyone. You could tell the love and affection that this group had for each other.

Alfie and Alex had already started building a fire pit, with Isla permissions and Jack had fished out his Dad's old BBQ for Isla, as the small one she brought she didn't think would cut it for what she had planned. They hadn't been able to be alone since the afternoon of Matt's accident, which annoyed Jack greatly, but he caught himself, as was habit now, glancing her way. Hoping for anything in return, but she always seemed to be looking the other way. He was sure he had caught her looking at him just as much.

She had given no indication as to whether she had got the flower in the book and even Izzy had asked after it, to which all he could reply was that he wasn't sure. Izzy then convinced herself that the Honeysuckle Princess must be too busy with the book to notice the flower itself and he needs to use a bigger one.

Friday lunch time, as he was getting in his truck, he saw her running out to the twins as they started off up the meadow in their van. As he pulled closer they drove off and left Isla looking like she needed to make a backup plan for something.

He pulled up next to her and wound the window down. "Is everything ok?"

"Yes, well no, Freddie has pulled in an extra few hours with Eliza, but I was hoping for the trailer to get the food back ready for tomorrow, but I need to get it here in the next couple of hours so I can get the ribs marinated in time. I can't wait until Freddie is home and Brad is not answering his phone. I need to get the salad chopped and-"

Jack laughed quietly to himself as she had her little moment of stressing, "Isla, get in, I can take you and bring you back. I am at your disposal. "

He could see she was hesitant at first. Maybe the flower was too much? But then she looked resolved in having no other choice and hopped in.

"Where to my fair lady?" Jack grinned and winked at her as she laughed back.

"Well good sir, the first grocery store you come across please."

-x-

Jack was true to his word and helped her with everything, not that she doubted him. She has unknowingly trusted his every word since she met him. They had picked up everything she needed from Eliza's and they swung by the b&b as Meryl had agreed she could take some tablecloths and furnishings. Isla realised that she had not got enough pots and crockery and Jack, even came to the rescue then as well. It turned out his sister, Sarah, managed the diner and she agreed to let them take some, although when they went to pick it up, she was not there, which disappointed Isla as she was kind of hoping to meet her.

The final stop was at the farm shop for her order of ribs and beef patties. She went in to pick it up and Jack said he had an idea and said he would be back. She came out with her boxes of meat to find Jack was not there, but the back of his truck was full of hay bales. She could hear voices around the corner so put her meat in the back and went to follow the one she recognised as Jack.

Isla stopped dead in her tracks. Jack was mid embrace with a beautiful, long blonde hair woman. The way they laughed together, Isla knew they were not strangers. They were clearly affectionate towards each other. Isla stayed out of view and when he gave a final embrace and a kiss on the cheek, Isla had the strangest feeling. Watching them felt like a pit opened up in her stomach and made her feel like she could not watch anymore.

She quickly turned and got in the truck and waited patiently for Jack to come back. He got in the truck and was going on about something to do with hay bales for seats, but Isla wasnt really listening. She nodded in agreement then asked if Jack could take her home as she was done.