Page 81 of The Riviera House Swap
‘The idea?’
‘To have an adventure,’ he said. He set his own drink down then looked at the floor for a moment, before taking a deep breath. ‘To take a chance on life… maybe on love.’
She snorted. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘I suppose you’re right. I just wish the chances I chose worked out sometimes.’ Maybe she was chronically unlucky. Maybe that was why she never took a risk, because she’d end up like this – feeling foolish and more alone than ever.
‘Nina,’ he said. ‘Sometimes, I think that maybe you are here for a reason, only perhaps that reason wasn’t clear. Maybe…wewere meant to meet. You and me.’ He looked at her hopefully.
‘Us?’ she said.
‘Yes. I wish I had time to get to know you more. Or that things were different. Maybe in time, they can be?’
She met his gaze, taking in his earnest eyes, his kind face. The pyjama bottoms on his legs and what they meant – that he’d rushed to her without a thought.
‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘And I do know what you mean. I will never be sad to have met you, or Sabine. And…’ She wanted to say that if she hadn’t come with one mission – to find Pierre – things might have been different. But after his admission, it would sound too contrived. ‘But it’s time,’ she said. ‘I think you know when it’s time.’
He nodded. ‘I understand.’ Then got to his feet. ‘I should go,’ he said. ‘And you will be OK?’
‘I will,’ she said. Already, the whole Pierre situation felt a little like a bad dream. And she realised that although she’dthought she’d begun to fall for him again, her feelings had been superficial, not the deep feelings she’d imagined. He would soon be back in the past, exactly where he belonged.
She had to say goodbye to the seventeen-year-old Nina, to the hopes and dreams of someone long ago. Many people had regrets about their past, and at least she knew now that she hadn’t made a mistake in ghosting Pierre all those years ago. If she hadn’t, well, maybe they would have married, but she was pretty sure he’d be sitting in a restaurant now with someone else, spinning his lies and false promises, while she sat at home, oblivious. If anything, it was a lucky escape.
Once Antoine had gone, she stepped in the shower, feeling the warm water wash the cold from her skin, along with thoughts of Pierre and her dreams and her seventeen-year-old self. When she stepped out, wrapped in a towel, she felt better. No longer teary, but still kind of flat. But maybe that was what being older was. She couldn’t expect life to be exciting in her fifth decade. In fact, in having this adventure, she’d done more than most, and at least now had a good anecdote to add to her collection.
Her phone rang and she picked it up, smiling. ‘Hi Sabine.’
‘Are you OK?’ her friend said, the growl of an engine in the background.
‘Yes. Honestly. I’m sorry Antoine involved you. I think he was worried.’
‘It is nothing. I was not far.’
‘Still.’ She wanted to tell Sabine she needn’t bother coming. But she’d probably already been driving for more than an hour. It was too late – it would make things worse.
‘It was a bit of a horrible evening but your brother stepped up.’
‘OK, well you can tell me everything in just a moment,’ Sabine said. There was a click then Nina could hear the growlof the VW engine in the background as it drew up outside the house.
‘Thank you for coming.’
‘Pah, it is nothing. We are friends, yes?’
‘Yes,’ said Nina smiling. ‘We really are.’
43
THEN
Dear Pierre,
I asked my parents about coming to France, but they say it is too expensive this year. And even though I’m an ‘adult’ now, they don’t like the idea of me travelling on my own or going to stay with a boy they have never met. THEY ARE SO UNREASONABLE! I feel like running away – they don’t understand how important it is.
I am so sorry, Pierre. I really wanted to come.
Love, Nina xxx
44
NOW
