Her mother’s response surprised her. The woman had been banging on for months about Flick needing to move on with her life. She’d assumed her mum would be pleased that Matthew and her non-existent marriage had been consigned to the past.
“Don’t get me wrong, I like Nate, I really do.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
Brenda took a deep intake of breath, as if getting ready to say something only to decide against it. She suddenly smiled. “There isn’t one. Don’t mind me, I’m worrying over nothing. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that counts.”
Flick’s phone rang. Checking the number, it was one of her co-workers from the café back in the UK. Rather than answer she set her mobile to silent, preferring to let it ring out as she returned her attention to her mother. “I am happy. For the first time in a long time.”
“And when is this date?”
Flick grinned. “Saturday. Although I have no idea what he’s planning, which means I haven’t a clue what to wear. Do I go formal? Do I go casual?”
Brenda smiled and shook her head. “I’m sure you’ll find something suitable.”
Flick paused before speaking again. “Thanks, Mum.”
“What for?”
“I know I keep saying it, but for everything. None of this would be happening if it weren’t for you and Dad.”
Brenda reached over and squeezed her hand. “Shall we?” she said, letting go in favour of her pen. “This jobs list isn’t going to write itself.”
As Flick and her mum settled down to get on with the task at hand, a loud knocking on the front door interrupted them. “Who could that be?” Flick asked, getting up from her seat.
Brenda shrugged. “We’re not expecting anyone, are we?”
Flick left her mum hovering in the kitchen doorway. As she walked down the hall, she secretly hoped it was Nate, as keen to see her as she was him. She looked down at her appearance, wishing she’d tidied herself up a bit just in case. But opening the huge wooden door, her smile immediately froze. She felt the colour drain from her face as she stared at the unexpected caller. “Matthew?” she said, not quite able to believe her eyes.
“Flick.”
33
Standing at the door staring at Matthew, Flick’s mind raced with questions. What did he want? How did he know where to find her? She hadn’t seen or heard from him in months, so why seek her out now?
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
Flick turned to look at her mum, who appeared equally as stunned at the sight of their unexpected guest. However, not knowing how best to respond, Flick simply trained her gaze back on Matthew. Keeping her silence, what she wanted to do was slam the door in his face, but she felt too shocked to move let alone speak.
Not that any of this seemed to matter to him, as rather than wait for an answer, Matthew stepped straight over the threshold.
“Can we talk?” He looked at Flick’s mum and then back to her. “In private.”
Even from Flick’s position, she could hear her mother sigh, before taking the hint and marching down the hall towards them. As she grabbed her coat off the hook, Flick could see the fury in her mother’s eyes. Understandably so in her opinion.
Brenda stopped, fixing her stare on Matthew. “You’ve got some bloody nerve.” After a moment, she turned her attention to Flick, her voice at once softening. “I need some fresh air now anyway.”
Flick nodded. Suddenly feeling a tad nauseous, she could have done with some too.
“Will you be all right?” her mother asked.
Flick took a deep breath to steady herself and nodded again.
“I’ve got my phone if you need me.”
Brenda barged passed Matthew, and slamming the door shut as she left, the resulting boom sent an echo down the hall as it bounced off the walls. Her action seemed to surprise Matthew, but Flick more than appreciated her mother’s strength of feeling and she certainly wasn’t going to make excuses or apologise for it, especially when her mum had been the one left to pick up the pieces afterhisdisappearance.
Flick indicated to the kitchen. Following Matthew down the hall, her pulse refused to slow. Her mother was right, he did have some nerve.
