He wondered how it was all going over there. Were the video crew so enamoured by their hosts and the venue, that they couldn’t wait to get back and tell all their colleagues, friends and family everything about the place? He hoped so. Otherwise the predicament he found himself in would all be for nothing. The property developer would move in and his home would become a prison. Not only that, Flick deserved some success after everything she’d been through. He was definitely cheering her on.
Thinking back to when he’d first met her, Nate laughed at his own stupidity. He should have known the second he clapped eyes on her that his life would never be the same again. She didn’t look at him the way most people did. There was no awe in her eyes, no wondering, and there certainly weren’t any pound signs. There’d been a hint of recognition from somewhere in the back of her mind, but she didn’t push it. She didn’t question his feeble explanation, she accepted it. She took him how she found him. As the man he’d become, not the man he once was.
He thought about what Lenny had said about holding on to someone, recalling his warning to never let love go once he’d found it. Flick had certainly made an impact that he’d never experienced before. But was it love? Having kept people at a distance for so long, he couldn’t be sure what his emotions were telling him. When it came to Flick, they seemed to be all over the place, getting to know her both enlivened and scared him. And what about her? Did she feel anything for him?
He felt a sudden urge to go and see her and, before he could change his mind, he raced over to the door, grabbing his jacket and a torch off a coat hook. He knew he was taking a risk, but for the first time in a long time he didn’t care if someone recognised him. He didn’t care about the protective wall he’d built around himself. As far as he was concerned, if he and Flick did have feelings for each other, there was only one way to find out.
Rufus lifted his head at the commotion.
“Stay, boy,” Nate said to the Jack Russell, before letting himself out into the night.
Making his way through the trees, Nate didn’t have a clue what he was going to say to Flick once he found her. And the nearer he got to the chateau, the more his heart galloped in anticipation.
Finally approaching the building, he headed round to the front door. It was open and he paused, the consequences of being outed beginning to dawn. He took a deep breath and composed himself. Having come this far, there was no point backing out now. “Come on, Nate. You can do this.”
Another breath later and he stepped inside.
A crowd had gathered in one of the front reception rooms and standing in the doorway, he had to stretch up onto his toes to scan the faces within. He felt nervous as he waited for someone to recognise him. The disdain he felt for the people in front of him. These were the professionals who’d ruined his mother’s life, documenting and commentating on her meteoric rise and magnificent fall, milking every last detail for their own ends. His growing discomfort turned physical. Beginning to feel a tad hot, even from his position, he could feel the heat in the room thanks to the mass of bodies within. Flick was worth the anxiety and rising temperature though and as his eyes continued to search in an attempt to locate her, he continued to go unnoticed.
Unable to quite believe what was happening, for the first time in years he felt invisible. A broad smile spread across his face. He felt like a nobody.
Finally, he spotted Dee, her arms gesticulating as she chatted to some chap who appeared to hang on her every word. Knowing her, she was giving him the hard sell and as with most of her buyers, he was falling for it. “Good on you, Dee,” Nate said to himself.
“Excuse me,” said a female voice that Nate couldn’t quite place over the noise.
Whoever it belonged to, it came with an accompanying nudge, a physical request for him to step out of the way. He dropped from his toes and turned round, pleased to find it was Jess trying to get through with a tray of fancy-looking canapés. “Those look good,” he said. Despite enjoying the anonymity, he felt glad of the friendly face.
“Nate. What are you doing here? Everyone thought you weren’t coming.”
“I didn’t intend to.”
She proffered the tray, her expression suggesting he might try one of her wares, but he declined with a shake of his head. As delicious as its contents looked, he felt too nervous to attempt eating. He took another look around the room. “It seems to be going well. Everyone certainly looks happy.”
“So far, so good. I’m just keeping everything crossed it stays that way.” She smiled, giving him a knowing look. “If you’re hoping to see Flick, she’s in the kitchen.”
“Is she?” Nate tried to appear cool, calm and collected. “I suppose I should go and say hello, this is her party.”
“I suppose you should,” Jess replied, her accompanying grin letting him know he wasn’t fooling anyone. “And I’d better get back to it,” she added, still smiling as she headed into the melee.
Nate watched her for a moment, at the same time listening to snippets of the conversations taking place around him. From what he could hear, it was clear the party was having the desired effect, everyone seemed to love the chateau. He smiled as he made his way down the hall to the kitchen, it looked like Flick was staying.
Entering the room, his ears immediately pricked thanks to the sound of Brenda’s voice. He couldn’t see her through the hoi polloi, but she was definitely coming through loud and clear. She seemed to be outlining some ambitious plan to host big budget films and remembering the last time she’d been in this position, Nate laughed. It felt like a case ofdéjà vu, making him wonder if Flick knew about these grand plans too.
He scanned the crowd and spotted Julia also busy talking to one of the guests. Taking in her broad smile and confident stance, she was no doubt another one giving it the hard sell. But where was Flick? Quickly casting his eyes over the rest of the room, she didn’t seem to be anywhere in sight.
“Nate!” his aunt suddenly called.
Re-catching his attention, she appeared to make her excuses before joining him. “What a surprise. Is everything okay?”
“I thought I’d come and see how things are going.” It was as good an excuse as any.
Aunt Julia leaned in to give him a hug, making sure to lower her voice as she spoke. “Don’t worry, you’re safe. The band isn’t here.”
“I know. Lenny said they were shipping out early.”
Julia pulled back. “You’ve spoken to him?”
As soon has his words were out Nate could’ve kicked himself. Yes, he’d fully intended on telling her about Lenny’s visit. He looked around. Just once the excitement of the party had died down. “He turned up at the house wanting to talk things over.”
