Hayley...

It hurt her to do it, but she felt like she had no choice. She couldn't ruin his marriage, even if not telling him the truth would cost her happiness.

'Sounds great,' said Jac. 'I'm going to go and get some food for the week, and would love it if you, Patrick and Fin would join me for dinner at Ivory Cottage tonight.'

'Ah love, you are a true English rose,' said Aisling. 'We'd love to.'

'I'll see you at 7,' said Jac with a smile. It felt strange to her to be so friendly to people that she had only just met, but it came so naturally that she couldn't help it. And that was why she knew that, when in certain company, some people brought out the best in her. And it felt good.

Leaving reception and getting in her car, she followed Aisling's directions, and with no difficulty whatsoever, she found herself right outside the farm that was mentioned. Driving in, she parked on the gravel and followed the signs to the farm shop.

'How can I help you love?' asked the man. He was quite short, a bit dumpy, but had a really friendly face, and a heavy Irish accent.

'I'm staying up at Swan Cottages, and needed to pick up some supplies. Aisling recommended coming down here,' said Jac.

'Ah, that sweet old lady always puts a lot of business my way,' he replied with a smile. 'I'm Zephan by the way.'

'Jac,' she said, extending her hand. 'I don't know where to start really, there's so much to choose from. I'm making dinner for Aisling, Patrick and Fin tonight, so I need to think of what to cook.'

'Ah,' he said, having a lightbulb moment. 'Are you doing 3 courses?'

'Yeah,' said Jac after some thought.

'Well, I say you can't go wrong with some warm soda bread and butter for starters. For mains, Irish stew is great, and then for desserts, I'd suggest an apple pie. I have the recipes for everything I mentioned here,' he said.

'Sounds really tasty,' said Jac, her mouth watering already. 'I also need supplies for the rest of the week. Fruit, vegetables, meat, bread, milk, etc.'

'And we have all that here,' replied Zephan with a smile. 'I'll get a selection of everything that'll last a week. Don't want you to be lifting in your condition.'

'Thank you so much,' replied Jac with a smile.

'What sort of stuff do you want?' asked Zephan.

'Basics really, salt, pepper, meat, fruit, vegetables, juices, smoothies, bread, milk, butter,' said Jac. 'And can you put in a nice bottle of wine for tonight? Obviously I can't drink, but Patrick and Aisling might want to.'

'Ah,' he replied. 'I have their favourite right here.'

After getting all of the things that Jac needed, Zephan boxed them up and put them in the boot of the car, setting off back to Swan Cottages.

Seeing her car pull in, Aisling said to Patrick, 'Love, Jac's back from Zephan's. Looks like she has a lot of shopping. Help her out.'

'Yes Mam,' he said, leaving the reception.

As Jac got out of the car, she was met by Patrick's face.

'Did your mum send you?' asked Jac.

'Yup,' said Patrick. 'She saw the boxes.'

'I figured,' replied Jac.

Picking them up, Patrick walked up to Ivory Cottage and placed them in the kitchen.

'Thanks,' said Jac in gratitude.

'I'll leave you to get cooking,' he said. 'We'll see you at 7.'

'Yeah, see you then,' said Jac as he left.

Once the door was shut, she set about putting her shopping away and preparing the food for the meal tonight.

***

Later...

The soda bread had just come out of the oven, the stew was bubbling away, and the apple pie cooking in the oven. The table had been set with a nice tablecloth that Jac found and some flowers in the centre, the soda bread that she'd made in a small basket, a plate of butter close by.

Finding time to get changed, Jac emerged wearing a olive green wrap dress that complimented her eyes.

As soon as the table was set, the doorbell rang. Opening it, Jac welcomed inside Aisling, wearing a floral blouse and a skirt, Patrick, wearing some blue jeans and a sky blue shirt that made his eyes seem deeper, and 5 year old Finlay, who had on jeans and a t-shirt.

Sitting down, Jac said, 'I bought some wine, do either of you want any?'

'Yes please,' said Aisling and Patrick.

'Won't you feel tempted?' asked Patrick.

'I have a very charming apple juice thank you,' said Jac with a smile. 'What about you Finlay?'

'Can I have some apple juice too please?' he asked.

'Of course you can,' replied Jac with a bright small, getting a small cup and pouring him some out.

'Thank you,' he said, taking a sip.

'He's very polite,' said Jac to Patrick.

'Usually I have to remind him to use his pleases and thank you's,' said Patrick. 'But he's being well behaved tonight.'

'What's for dinner?' asked Fin.

'We're having soda bread and butter for starters, then stew, then apple pie,' replied Jac with a smile.

'Yum,' replied Fin with a grin.

'Would you like me to butter your bread for you Fin?' asked Patrick.

'Can Jac do it please?' asked Fin.

'He seems to have taken quite a shine to you,' said Aisling with a smile.

'I like Jac,' he said with a smile. 'She's nice.'

'And you're very nice too Fin,' she replied.

***

After dinner...

'That was amazing,' said Patrick, leaning back in his chair.

'I can truly say that I am fuller than I've ever been,' continued Aisling.

'I might go in for seconds,' said Jac. 'Hayley's got a big appetite.'

'Ah, she's going to be a strong lass,' said Aisling. 'I can feel it in my bones.'

'I can too,' said Jac with a broad smile.