“Maybe.”
“I’m only surprised none of the others have made the connection.”
Nate wasn’t one hundred per cent sure his friends hadn’t. For all he knew, they could have done their research when he’d first landed in France and were just too embarrassed by what they read to admit it. Thanks to his mother, his story wasn’t exactly dinner party conversation, especially when acknowledging the good, meant acknowledging the bad.
“And what about Flick?” his aunt asked.
Flick, thought Nate. She was the only good thing in what was turning out to be a complete almighty mess.
“What do you mean?”
“What if she finds out what you and Brenda have been up to? Have you considered the fact that she might not want your help? She hasn’t exactly had an easy time of it of late, what if the last thing she needs is you conning her into doing something you think is for the best, and then just like her husband, regret your involvement later on?”
“Why would I regret it?”
His aunt tried to appear relaxed, coming across to Nate as anything but. “Like you’ve already mentioned, there’s the price you’re having to pay for one. It’s a big secret you’ve been keeping and you’re still angry about it. What if you let slip? Then there’s what you said today. You liking Flick doesn’t have anything to do with this decision of yours, does it? Because if it does, it could all backfire, particularly if she doesn’t feel the same way. You’ll still be neighbours, remember.”
Nate had hoped that, after everything they’d discussed since, she’d have forgotten all about his earlier admission. “She isn’t going to find out though, is she? I’m not going to say anything. Her mum certainly isn’t going to say anything. That only leaves you…”
He could see his aunt felt uncomfortable. If there was one thing she hated, it was being put in a position.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “She won’t hear anything from me.”
Relieved, Nate smiled slightly, glad of the support. “Thank you.”
“And Lenny?”
“What about him?”
“How are you going to deal with him?”
Nate found her question strange. “Why would I have to do that?”
“He’s going to have an idea you’re around here somewhere. Bruce isn’t exactly known for his tight lips now, is he?”
“Bruce can say whatever he wants. As you well know, I’m pretty adept at hiding myself away when needs must.”
24
Flick yawned. Pouring a much-needed coffee, she could feel the weight of the bags under her eyes and wanted nothing more than to just go back to bed. “Chance would be a fine thing,” she said to herself, and thinking about the morning ahead, she yawned once more.
“Good morning.”
Flick observed her mother’s cheeriness as she breezed into the room. At least one of them had gotten the prerequisite eight hours. “Is it?”
“You didn’t sleep very well?”
“Nope.”
“Because of Matthew?”
Flick scoffed. “Who else?”
Brenda approached and gave her a hug. “Oh, love, I am sorry. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.”
“Don’t be. I might be knackered, but I’m glad you told me.”
“Really? Because the last thing I wanted to do was upset you.”
