Flick took a deep breath. This taking charge business was scary. “I have.”
“And you’re coming back to the UK with me?”
Flick scrutinised his expression. It wasn’t hopeful, or anxious, or desperate even. It was self-assured. He was so used to getting his own way, he’d assumed her return would be a done deal. She gave him a gentle smile. “No, Matthew, I’m not.”
“Oh.” He put one hand on his hip, the other up to his chin, as he shifted from one foot to the other. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
Flick took in his confusion and having never seen him so lost for words before, she actually felt a bit sorry for him. Not enough to give their marriage another go however. As far as she was concerned, that part of their relationship had ended before it began. Realising she’d said what she came to say, she didn’t see the point in dragging things out. “I’ll let you get back,” she said and gesturing once more to the blonde she turned to leave.
“Flick,” Matthew said, stopping her.
“Yes.”
“You didn’t ask me to stay.”
She smiled. “No. I didn’t.”
42
As she headed downstairs, Flick smiled. There’d been a definite loss of tension since the previous day’s visit to see Matthew. Her future at the chateau might not be certain, but she felt positive and looked forward to giving it her best shot. As did her mum, who cried when Flick explained why she’d run out on her. They just had to come up with a concrete plan to turn her dream of running an art school into reality.
Flick made her way to the kitchen, but she paused as she entered, wondering where her mother had got to. Flick’s eyes scanned the room until she finally spotted her, forced to ask why her mum would be out on the patio instead of in front of the fire? No matter how many layers they dressed in, it felt below freezing inside, let alone out there.
Joining her, Flick shivered as she took in her mum’s contemplation. Her demeanour seemed a far cry from the happiness she’d demonstrated the day before. “You okay?”
“Just thinking,” Brenda replied.
“About?” Flick asked, although it didn’t take a genius to figure it out.
Keeping her eyes on the lake, Brenda let out a heart-felt sigh. “You and Nate.”
Flick knew why, of course. It was Saturday, that evening was meant to be their big date.
“You were so looking forward to getting to know him more,” Brenda continued. “And when I think about how happy he made you. Why did I have to go and ruin everything?”
As much as she wanted to, Flick couldn’t deny her previous excitement. In fact, Nate had stirred up all sorts of emotions in her and most of them good. He hadn’t just made her feel human again, he made her feel wanted, attractive, sexy even. As daft as it seemed, she’d thought that night was going to be the start of some great romance. Sad really. Whatever connection they’d shared, it clearly wasn’t meant to be. “Maybe it’s for the best? Seeing my face in a newspaper once was too much. Now I know who he is, who his mother is, I’m not sure I’d have coped with all that scrutiny. Life’s complicated enough.”
“I must admit that did cross my mind. But that was before everything came out. You’re stronger than you think.”
Flick smiled. “Let’s just say I’m getting there.”
Brenda turned to face her. “Call it a silly question, but after everything that’s happened, do you think there’s still a chance?”
Flick had to admit that half of her hoped so. In all honesty, she’d started to fall for Nate and those kinds of feelings didn’t just switch off. The other half knew better though. And as she stared over at his house, it felt cruel to know he was so near, yet so far. She recalled the previous day’s walk.
Wandering through the chateau grounds, she’d felt more than a tad tempted to just turn up at his door. Of course, it didn’t help that she kept hearing her father’s voice, insisting that she seized the day and embraced life for once. Not that Flick listened. It was one thing knowing that she had to end things with Matthew, but thanks to their farce of a wedding day, she didn’t think she could face another rejection. “Probably not.”
Suddenly suspicious, Flick’s eyes narrowed as she looked at her mum. “If you’ve got any ideas about hatching some sort of plan, then please don’t. I mean it. No more meddling.”
Brenda laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ve well and truly learnt my lesson. There’ll be no more interfering from me.”
“Good.” Flick gave her mum a well-received hug. “Now, let’s talk about something else.”
Footsteps on the gravel piqued their attention, causing Flick’s stomach to immediately lurch. She put a hand to her belly and although in that moment a part of her hoped it was Nate, after the week she’d had, she’d gotten to the point where she dreaded unexpected guests.
“There you are,” their visitor said as he rounded the corner. “What are you doing out here? No wonder you didn’t hear me knocking.”
“Pete,” Flick said, happy to see him. “What a surprise.”
