A Winter Wedding at Primrose Hall (Primrose Woods #6)

Chapter 14

14

‘One of these days, you’re going to have to let me beat you. Just for my self-confidence. I always had myself down as a half-decent squash player, but in all my games with you, I think I’ve only beaten you, what is it, about three times?’

‘Twice actually,’ said Tom, correcting Jackson with a smile. Well, to his way of thinking, there weren’t many areas where he could top Jackson’s skills, so if he could continue to thrash him at their preferred choice of racket sport, then he was going to make the most of it.

The brothers had just left the sports centre after their regular and energetic game of squash and were heading for their cars.

‘Worse than I thought then,’ said Jackson with a wry smile. ‘I really need to up my game. Are we going to grab a beer?’

‘Sure thing,’ said Tom.

He was relieved that Jackson didn’t seem to be harbouring any ill-feeling over his decision to leave his job at the stables. Maybe Sophie was right and Jackson had just been taken by surprise at Tom’s news to go back into the corporate world. Perhaps now that he’d had time to consider what it meant, he’d realised it was no big deal and they would quickly be able to find someone else to fill the vacancy. Tom wasn’t sure. Although the bond between him and his brother was growing all the time, he still found it hard to judge Jackson’s moods or his true feelings. He found himself trying to second-guess how Jackson might react to any given situation and wondering if he might upset him inadvertently.

The alternative, and more likely, scenario, was that Tom was far too sensitive. He could see that and was attempting to be less so, but when you’d been lied to by the people closest to you, your mum especially, then it was inevitable that it made you wary of other people and their intentions. The ripples caused by the discovery about his true parentage continued to impact his life and the people around him. It would take some time to truly come to terms with how he fitted in this new world.

One of the positives that came from finding you had a brother you never knew about was sharing a beer with him in the local pub. He felt a certain amount of pride walking into a bar and seeing heads turn, knowing that people were seeing the likeness between them. They took their pints and sat in the window seat of The Three Feathers, which overlooked the village green.

‘So how are things?’ Jackson asked.

‘Yes, good. I was pleased with how the workshops went at the weekend. Everyone seemed to enjoy the sessions and the feedback from the visitors was positive. I’m hoping they’re something you might want to think about continuing on a semi-regular basis, perhaps a couple of times a year?’

‘Absolutely. Pia and I were saying the same thing, and now you’ve implemented the idea I’m sure whoever takes over will be able to pick it up and run with it.’ Jackson took another mouthful of his beer. ‘Look, I wanted you to know that I’m really pleased for you with regards to the new job. I probably didn’t say that when you told me and I should have done. It sounds like a great career move for you.’

‘Cheers, Jackson. I appreciate it.’ Even if his unexpected words might have wrong-footed Tom, Jackson had obviously done some thinking since their last interaction. Perhaps he was finding it as tricky to navigate this new relationship as Tom was. ‘Yeah, it means I’ll be able to make some proper plans. Mainly, I want to get on the property ladder again. I feel I’ve been living like a student these last couple of years.’

‘I can understand that.’ Jackson nodded. ‘Where do you think you might end up? Will you move closer to work?’

‘No, that’s one thing I am certain on. Now I’ve found my family – you and Pia, Rex and Ronnie – I want to stay nearby so that I can see you guys on a regular basis. Dad’s not getting any younger so I don’t want to be that far away that I can only get to see him a couple of times a year. I want to be around to play a proper part in all your lives, to help out and provide support when I can. Basically, what I’m saying is that you’re stuck with me now whether you like it or not.’

‘Well, I’m pleased to hear it. It’s been good having you around. I’d hate for us to lose touch when we’ve only just got to know each other. Family is important, right? Even if they can drive you mad at times.’

‘Yeah, exactly.’ Tom laughed, slightly taken aback by Jackson’s rare display of sentimentality. ‘And of course Sophie is here too so there’s another incentive to stay.’

‘Great. It’s going well for you two then?’

‘Yep.’ Tom took a moment to think about that, an image of Sophie popping into his head, the sound of her laughter ringing in his ears, a smile involuntarily spreading across his face. ‘She’s a great girl. We get on well and it’s so easy being with her. We seem to gel and I suppose I want to be in a position where we can make some plans together for the future, if we decide that’s what we want.’

Despite Sophie’s assurances that she liked Tom for who he was and that she wasn’t bothered about material considerations, Tom was more pragmatic. She might feel that way now, but how would she feel a year, two years down the line if they wanted to move their relationship on to another level? What if they wanted to find a place together or start a family? Those things took some serious money. Perhaps now was too soon to be thinking along those lines for their relationship, but they were definitely goals he wanted to achieve some time in the future.

‘Actually, I saw Sophie the other night and she was talking about Pia’s hen do, how the girls were winding her up over what they had planned for her, but it got me thinking that we probably need to make some plans for the stag. Have you got any special requests?’

‘Something low key probably. I’d be happy coming down here for a few pints with a few friends.’

‘You only get married once…’ Tom gave a small grimace. ‘Well, hopefully, at least… so maybe we could mark it with some kind of activity, like paintballing or clay-pigeon shooting, and then go for a few drinks after.’

Jackson mulled the suggestion over in his mind for a moment.

‘You know what would be fun? Quad biking or kart racing. I think everyone would be up for that.’

Tom raised his eyebrows at Jackson.

‘Are you kidding me? After what happened to you in the summer? Pia would never forgive me if I organised something where you might end up doing yourself another injury. I know it’s your stag do, Jackson, but I’ve got to make sure you get home safely so that you’re in one piece for the wedding. Let me have a think about it and see what I can come up with.’

‘Fair enough,’ said Jackson with a wry chuckle. ‘You might have a point there.’

Tom wanted to give Jackson a memorable and fun stag night, one where they could all let off some steam and share a few drinks, but he was also mindful that he had a duty to Pia, his soon-to-be sister-in-law, to ensure Jackson didn’t come to any harm, so two- or four-wheeled activities were definitely off the cards. He’d give it some thought. He was just pleased that he and Jackson were on good terms once again because he took his responsibilities as best man, and perhaps even more importantly, as a big brother, very seriously indeed.