Chapter 28
28
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and Charlotte woke with a combination of excitement and nerves. She and Tristan had exchanged a few texts since they’d agreed to their day out in Bristol, but she hadn’t seen him since the previous Saturday evening. She wasn’t surprised: the Observatory Field development was gaining momentum, and while she’d been working up at the site, she’d noticed earth movers and levellers being brought in, ready to flatten the ground, and, eventually, demolish the building. She still felt sad that by the end of the summer it would no longer exist, but at least her work was ensuring the contents of the observatory’s library would be preserved for future generations.
After a quick breakfast of strawberry jam on toast, Charlotte waited for Tristan to arrive at Nightshade Cottage. Lorelai hadn’t commented on their arranged date, but Charlotte had the feeling that somehow she knew about it. There was an additional warmth to the older woman’s eyes when she mentioned her grandson’s name in passing, and she’d offered to dog sit for Charlotte when she had said she was going out for the day.
‘If you’re sure that’s all right?’ Charlotte replied. She’d planned their day with Comet in mind and had intended taking Tristan up to Clifton Down to stretch all of their legs but leaving the dog in Lorelai’s care would free them up a little more.
‘It’s fine, dear,’ Lorelai smiled. ‘He can help me do some gardening.’
Charlotte smiled back. Lorelai seemed to spend her life in the garden, when she wasn’t looking after her great-grandchildren, and so she knew Comet would be fine, too. She hadn’t yet had time to show Lorelai the snapshot of the photo she’d found of LBAS, but she hoped she’d get the chance over the weekend. She felt a little nervous about showing her, but she hoped Lorelai would be pleased to see it.
At that moment, they both heard the familiar sound of Tristan’s car pulling onto the driveway. ‘Have a lovely time.’ Lorelai looked as though she was about to say something else and Charlotte paused, anticipating some hokey grandma warning about taking care of her grandson.
‘Tristan’s a tricky one,’ Lorelai said in the end. ‘I love the boy, of course, but I’d suggest you take care of your heart, should it start to flutter. He’s not had the best track record with commitment, from what I gather.’
‘You were the one who was encouraging us to spend some time together,’ Charlotte reminded her gently. ‘Are you saying you’ve decided it’s not such a good idea, after all?’
‘Oh, no,’ Lorelai replied. ‘But it would be remiss of me not to give you a quiet reminder that he’s nothing if not complicated.’
‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ Charlotte smiled at Lorelai, though in truth the older woman’s warning had unnerved her. She was just out of a break-up… could she really cope with too much emotional baggage?
Resolving just to take today for what it was, a lovely chance to explore the city of Bristol with someone she liked, she tried to shake off those feelings. It was one date: she wasn’t going to marry the guy.
Tristan came around the corner of the cottage and seemed surprised to see Charlotte and Lorelai in conversation. Charlotte didn’t miss the wary look that flashed across his features as he clocked them.
‘Hello, Gran,’ Tristan said as he approached the two women. ‘Warning Charlotte off me? Telling her what an absolute scoundrel I am?’
Lorelai gave a short laugh. ‘Of course not, dear. Just wanted to wish you both a lovely day.’
Charlotte couldn’t help feeling tickled by the way Tristan obviously knew his grandmother so well. ‘At least,’ she said, ‘I suppose going out with me saves you the embarrassment of introducing someone new to your grandma! That bit’s out of the way, at least.’
‘Oh, Tristan very rarely introduces his girlfriends to me,’ Lorelai said breezily. ‘In fact, I can’t remember the last time he did.’ She shook her head. ‘It’s probably just as well. There’s less for me to enquire about that way.’
‘We’ll see you later, Gran,’ Tristan said, leaning down to kiss Lorelai’s cheek. He turned to Charlotte. ‘Are you ready? Any clues on our plans for the day?’
‘Wait and see,’ Charlotte teased. ‘Just head for Bristol, and I’ll guide you from there.’
‘Fair enough.’ Tristan’s eyes softened as he looked down at her, and Charlotte felt something stirring in her abdomen that definitely wasn’t her digestion. He paused just long enough for Lorelai to give a discreet cough.
‘If you’re not back by six-thirty, do you mind if I pop into the annexe to get the dog food?’
‘That’s fine,’ Charlotte replied. ‘And thank you for looking after him for me, Lorelai.’
‘You’re more than welcome,’ Lorelai replied. ‘Thank you for getting my grandson away from his desk!’
‘It is Saturday, Gran,’ Tristan replied, looking like the teenager he’d once been when he lived with Lorelai. ‘I wasn’t planning on working all weekend.’
‘Yes, dear,’ Lorelai said mildly, but she exchanged a knowing look with Charlotte. ‘Have a lovely time.’
As Charlotte followed Tristan out to his car, she shook her head. Whilst the relationship between grandmother and grandson was definitely adorable, she wondered if she was ready to be a part of that dynamic.