“I’m sorry about what happened in Paris and London, Jennifer. I feel so foolish about it.”
“Don’t worry about it, Alex. It’s in the past and I hope that I didn’t do you any serious damage!”
“Ha! No. I’m fine.”
“I must get back, Alex.”
“Well, I hope you will be happy with Zack. I realise now that he is a good man and a good father. Phoebe filled my head with lies about him and I just wanted to tell you that.”
“Okay, Alex. Thanks.”
“Jennifer, this money is for your dress. The thugs I hired told me what happened. They were pretty scared of you! I had no idea you were a detective!”
“No one did! My dress doesn’t matter but thank you for the gesture. I hope you find love that is as deep as the love I have found with Zack. I really do, Alex.”
I took the money from him, touched by his gesture.
“Goodbye, Jennifer. Take care.”
He kissed me full on the lips and quickly disappeared into the woods. Looking down at the cash, I quickly counted it. He had given me £1,000.00.
“Jennifer, where are you?” Zack shouted.
“Sorry, Zack, I was just getting some air. I felt a bit overwhelmed. Is Scarlett alright?”
“I thought I heard you talking to someone.”
“I was. It was Alex.”
His face flushed angrily.
“What did he want? What’s that in your hand?”
“He wanted to apologise for Paris and London and he wished us all the best, actually. He gave me money for my dress. It’s yours, I guess.”
“I don’t want it. Treat yourself with it, baby. Scarlett has gone for a lay down. Can you go and check her in a bit?”
“Of course I will,” I said, holding his hand tightly.
He put my hand to his lips and kissed the palm.
“Jennifer, where is Jasper? I haven’t seen him for a while and he’s not in his room.”
“I will go and find him,” I told him, heading out into the garden.
“I will have a look for him too. We must find him!”
I looked in the gym, the cabana and the garage but there was no sign of him. I decided to head into the stables and then I saw him crouched in Puzzle’s stable, sobbing his heart out.
Pushing the stable door open gently, Puzzle came over and nuzzled my hand. I patted him softly and kissed his nose.
“Jasper, shall I get your Dad?” I whispered.
I walked over and put my arms around him. We sat on a blanket together in the corner of the stable.
“No, it’s okay. I’m sorry. I just needed a quiet moment,” he told me, rubbing his eyes.
He raked a hand through his hair and looked so like Zack it was spooky. His face was red and blotchy from crying. I kissed his forehead softly as he buried his wet face into my chest.
“I’m not much of a man, am I? Men don’t cry, do they?”
“Real men do cry and it’s nothing to be ashamed of, Jasper.”
“You need to let your emotions out or they build up inside you and that’s no good for anyone.”
“I shouldn’t be that upset, really. You have been more like a mother these last few months. Mum was always just out for herself. I think she regretted having us so young, you know. Dad makes up for her though. He is the best Dad anyone could have. He saved me and protected me. He would give his life for me,” he whispered.
“I’m sure she loved you and Scarlett a great deal, darling,” I told him, stroking his hair off his face.
Saved and protected him from what?
“Anyway, at least Dad is with someone who loves him now. I see how you look at him. Your face lights up when you look at him. You are crazy about each other. She can’t have ever loved him really. All those sordid affairs she had. She really disgusted me.”
His handsome face crumpled again.
“Just think about the good times, Jasper,” I soothed.
“Your boobs are really comfy, Jennifer,” he cheekily told me.
“Jasper, you are so bad and so like your father!”
We sat there for a while as he told me about Phoebe. I stroked his hair gently.
“Jennifer. Are you in here?” Zack shouted.
“We are here, Zack” I quietly replied, looking down at Jasper.
His eyes were closed and he had fallen asleep. He must have been completely exhausted.
“Is he okay? What did he say?” he whispered.
His face was a mask of concern for his son.
“He will be, with you around. Jasper has been telling me what a great Dad you are,” I whispered to him.
“I love them both so much,” he said, looking at Jasper lovingly.
“I will stay with him until he wakes up. He said you saved him. What do you think he meant by that?” I asked him, stroking Jasper’s blond hair.