First Love's Second Chance

Chapter 3

Deacon

I’m spending another day hiding in the office today. I can't believe what happened on Saturday. It was fine for Jenna to introduce me as a nobody in front of her boyfriend, but when I tried to introduce her to the girl I’m trying to replace her with, she pretends I don’t exist. It made me feel like shit, and then I had to put up with all the questions from April about who she was.

I signed for the supplies delivery today, and I’ve sorted out who I need on what jobs for tomorrow, as well as calling in a couple of extras to get Mike’s job finished today. Mr. Crane has finally sent over the complete project brief as well as information on the percentage that the council will pay towards the job. It’s going to take a few weeks to get it done, so everyone has to clear up their jobs over the next couple of weeks so I can get a big team on the job. I pencil our lunch into my diary, shut down my computer and leave the office. When I step outside it’s quiet. It’s nearly lunchtime and normally the boys end up back here for their breaks if they’re working nearby. But it’s so quiet. I stick a note on the front door that I’ll be back later, and head to my car. I pull my phone out of my pocket and notice I have four missed calls from April since I spoke to her this morning. She wants me to go to her parents house for dinner, but that’s not gonna happen. I just haven’t worked out how to let her down gently yet. There’s still the matter of Kate and Lizzie to worry about, and I’m running out of energy keeping them all on the go and away from each other. I send April a text; I don’t care how much of dick it makes me.

‘Busy at work. Won’t make it to dinner. I think it’s a good idea if we cool things down a bit.’

I wait a couple of minutes, but she doesn’t reply. Hopefully she’s got the message.

The truck roars to life and I head back to town. The nice weather has brought a few tourists in and the high street is buzzing with energy. There are people on the beach, and sitting outside the coffee shops, and pubs. Sometimes it’s easy to forget Folquay is a tourist town. I walk past the old bakers on the way to get some lunch and notice it’s all boarded up. Finally, someone’s going to do something with the empty space. I get to the deli and pick up a sandwich.

“Kip?” I ask, shocked that he’s back and standing in front of me in the queue.

“Oh, hey.” He says, clearly not remembering my name.

“What are you doing here?”

“Jenna’s staying here for a while. I haven’t got work so I thought I’d come stay. See Esteban and Mindy for a few days. Isn’t Phillipa adorable?”

“Mm hmm.” I answer, stepping out of the queue and back to the fridge. Anything to get away from him. I laugh to myself, how he felt the need to reveal he knows her family names. He’s not part of her family, I remember the looks from Esteban and Mindy and I smile at the fact he’s clearly threatened by me.

“See you around.” He says, with a smug look on his face as he walks out of the shop.

I step up to the counter and hand over my sandwich.

“Dennis, you seen Jenna about?” I ask as he adds up my order, and makes my coffee without me having to ask.

“Yeah, she was suited and booted this morning. She met up with Phil from the next town over.”

Why did she meet up with him?

“She got back about an hour ago. He dropped her off outside The Duck.”

“Thanks mate.” I say as I hand over the right money, pick up my things and leave the deli.

Jenna is going to be at one of three places. I don’t bother with The Duck. If her joke of a boyfriend was buying sandwiches they won’t be at the pub. I try the beach on the way to her house.