“She rang to tell me about Matthew,” her mum explained. “It seems he’s back in town.”
22
Nate observed his aunt. He had hoped their trip into town would cheer her up. She usually loved a stroll up and down the main street; breezing into theboutique de fleuristefor a selection of fresh flowers, before popping into theboulangeriefor pastries and a catch up with Gigi, to then check out the seasonal produce at themagazin de fruits et legumes.These little excursions were, according to her, all the more enjoyable on the very rare occasions that he joined her; trying to lift her spirits being the only reason he’d offered to tag along on this occasion. His ploy seemed to have failed, however, and he was forced to watch his aunt with a mix of hilarity and bewilderment.
Her trip always finished up at Café Ange, where she’d insist Jess tell her all the latest in gossip. That day though, there was no such conversation. Instead, the only sound emanating from Aunt Julia was a periodic sigh as she nursed her coffee, opening her mouth to say something one second, only to close it again in the next. Turning his gaze on to Jess, Nate considered her just as bad. Slowly circling her cloth as she wiped down tables, she was nowhere near her typical jovial self.
He struggled to contain his amusement. Anyone would think someone had died the way these two carried on.
Pete appeared in the café doorway and Nate nodded, acknowledging his presence. He chuckled as his friend rolled his eyes at the two women’s demeanour.
“Come on, ladies,” Pete said. “This is a bit of an overreaction, don’t you think?”
“Well said.” Nate was glad to know he wasn’t alone when it came to maintaining a sense of perspective.
Of course it was easy for him to say; he knew something they didn’t. And while he felt guilty for keeping his plan to himself, he didn’t see the point in raising his aunt’s hopes, raising anyone’s hopes for that matter. At least, not until something concrete happened.
“How can you say that?” Julia asked, defending her position.
Nate scoffed. “Because it’s true.”
“Some of us think Flick and her mum were the most exciting thing to happen around here in years. Some of us were looking forward to seeing that chateau brought back to life.”
Jess approached the table. “I was just hoping Flick and I could be friends.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” Pete said, coming to her side with a grin. “She can still be your friend.”
“What? Like a pen pal?”
Pete struggled to keep a straight face. “A pen pal’s better than no pal.”
Nate chuckled as he watched Jess flick her cloth against her husband’s chest. Nate sympathised with her. Whereas he didn’t have many friends through choice, he preferred to keep people at a distance, Jess’s small circle came down to a lack of confidence on her part. A characteristic that Nate had never quite understood. In his view, Jess was funny, smart, pretty, and in a great relationship. Yes, Pete might threaten their financial stability from time to time, but emotionally their life together was solid. Nate often felt envious of what they had.
Pete cupped his wife’s face and planted a kiss on her forehead, enough to make Nate feel that familiar pang of envy. Not that there was any point in being jealous. His single status was another conscious decision he’d made way back when. And no matter how many favours he called in to prevent it, the only woman to pique his interest in years could still be about to disappear as quickly as she’d arrived.
“I suppose none of us should be surprised that you’re okay with this turn of events,” Julia said. “Welcoming newcomers has never exactly been your thing, has it?”
“That’s true,” Jess said.
Even Pete nodded sagely, showing his agreement.
“That’s hardly fair.” Nate straightened himself up in his seat. Thanks to Mummy dearest, when it came to keeping his distance from strangers it wasn’t as if he had a choice.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a criticism,” Julia continued. “I, of all people, understand your reasons. We all do. It’s just–”
“Actually,” Nate interrupted. “I quite like Flick. I’d be more than happy for her to stay.”
“You would?” Jess asked.
“Really?” Pete added.
For once, Julia was speechless.
Taking in their expressions, Nate could have kicked himself. Despite his and Flick’s periodic banter, he didn’t have a clue what she really thought of him and he’d hate for any of this lot to start playing matchmaker. The embarrassment he’d feel if she didn’t feel the same, he should have kept his mouth shut. “And her mum too,” he hastily added. “To stop the developers moving in, of course.”
He watched Jess’s face break into a smile. Then she broke into song. “Nate and Flick, kissing in a tree.”
Nate shot her a warning look, but she continued anyway.
