18
Pierre had taken Olivia for a picnic lunch, leaving Nancy alone in the flat, mulling over last night’s events. She didn’t waste much time thinking about her father’s offer - she was confident turning him down was the right decision.
Instead, she focused on Hans. She was attracted to him. She’d even dreamt about him last night. They were on Patty’s yacht, just the two of them sailing off into the sunset and doing plenty of other things as well. Nancy felt a warm glow at the memory.
But did he feel the same way about her? He’d left the party just after she had. Surely, that was a positive sign? Or he might have been feeling unwell or any number of other reasons that had nothing to do with missing you. Thank you, inner voice, for putting the dampers on that theory.
She noticed his record player on the table in the corner. Why not take it back to him?
No time like the present. She unplugged the player, grabbed his bag of records, and headed downstairs to the flat below.
Dieter answered the door.
‘Is Hans in?’ she asked.
Dieter grinned. ‘Good timing. He’s cooking lunch for me and Ingrid.’ He took the record player out of her arms. ‘Hey, Hans. Your English teacher is here.’
Nancy spotted Hans bending down, looking in the oven.
He turned around and smiled. ‘Hello, Nancy.’
‘I didn’t realise you’d be busy. I brought your records back.’
‘Thanks. Would you like to stay for some food? I am cooking beef bourguignon.’
She better not mention that she’d eaten the same dish last night. ‘That would be lovely. Are you sure?’
’There is a lot,’ he said. ‘It will be ready in five minutes, I think. Please sit down at the table.’
Dieter got another knife and fork and put them down in front of Nancy.
Ingrid smiled. ‘It’s nice that you’re here to even up the numbers.’ She raised her eyebrows at Nancy. Was she matchmaking now? Hopefully, Olivia and Ingrid wouldn’t join forces. If she was as unsubtle as Olivia, between them, they could ruin whatever chance Nancy had with Hans.
Nancy changed the subject. ‘I didn’t realise you cooked, Hans.’
‘Dieter doesn’t, so I have to. Not that I mind.’
‘And I enjoy being cooked for,’ Ingrid said. ‘Which means you’ll need to learn if you want us to have a future together, Dieter.’
Dieter looked worried. ‘Hans will have to give me lessons.’
Hans put the casserole in the middle of the table, along with a dish of mashed potatoes. ‘Help yourselves,’ he said, sitting down next to Nancy.
Ingrid distributed the food. Nancy tried a mouthful of the stew. It was even tastier than last night’s bistro offering. Another tick in the box for Hans. ‘It’s delicious,’ she said.
They chatted about their weekends. Nancy noticed how the banter between Dieter and Hans was similar to the way she and Olivia spoke to one another. She was glad he had a close friend. It must mean the world to him with no family to turn to.
The topic of conversation turned to last night’s party. ‘We had a great time. Why did you leave so early?’ Ingrid asked Hans.
‘I wasn’t in a party mood after Nancy left.’ Hans glanced at Nancy.
‘I’m sorry I had to go. And I’m sorry how my father behaved,’ she said.
‘It’s not your fault. Though it could be awkward in future.’
What did he mean by that? Stop overanalysing everything and just enjoy being here.
‘I think we should leave now,’ Ingrid said to Dieter when everyone had finished eating.
‘Should we? Why?’ He flinched as Ingrid kicked him under the table. ‘OK. We’re going.’
‘Enjoy the rest of your day,’ Ingrid said as they headed out the door. ‘I’ll make sure Dieter isn’t back until late tonight.’
As Nancy had suspected, Ingrid was as subtle as Olivia when it came to fixing people up.
‘I’ll help you clear away,’ Nancy said to Hans once they were alone.
‘No, it’s not necessary. You’re my guest.’
‘I don’t mind.’
‘I do. Shall I put some music on? Perhaps we can dance like we should’ve done last night?’
‘I’d like that. I’ve been wondering how good a dancer you are.’
He smiled. ‘I expect you’re a much better dancer than me. What would you like to dance to?’
‘Surprise me,’ she said, thinking his song choice should give her a clue how he felt.
He started flicking through his record collection. ‘Before I forget, I have to return to Berlin tomorrow.’
‘Oh.’ What did he mean by return? Surely not forever?
He must have noticed her expression. ‘Only for a few days,’ he added. ‘I have to sort something out with my manager. But it means we’ll have to cancel next week’s English lessons.’
‘Of course.’ Nancy did a lousy job of hiding her disappointment.
‘I only found out yesterday. I’ll be back as soon as I can,’ he reassured her.
‘Good,’ she said.
He started putting a record on the player. ‘Ready?’ he asked.
‘As I’ll ever be,’ she smiled.
He looked puzzled.
‘It means yes.’
‘Excellent,’ he said, pulling back the lever that made the arm of the player move across to the disc.
But before the needle touched the vinyl, there was a loud banging on the door. ‘Herr Schmidt, Herr Schmidt,’ a voice called out. It sounded like Madame Morceau.
Hans put the record player arm back on its rest and opened the flat door.
‘Thank God you are in.’ Madame Morceau let out a sigh. ‘There is water pouring down the wall of the flat below. Madame Chastain is most distressed.’
‘Pierre gave me some hot chocolate,’ Olivia said when she returned home that evening.
‘That’s an unusual present.’ Nancy looked at the jar.
’Yes, I’m not sure what it says about our relationship. Either it’s a subtle way of telling me I’m not hot enough, or we’ve got to the point where he’ll be buying me slippers and a bed jacket next. Which is a shame because he seems to have skipped the gold and diamonds stage. I was looking forward to that. We may as well drink it, though.’
‘Hmm,’ Nancy said.
‘You don’t have to if you don’t want to.’
‘It’s not that. I was just thinking it was the only thing that was going to warm me up today.’
‘You’re going to have to elaborate on that one. I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about.’
Nancy brought Olivia up to speed about the afternoon’s events.
‘So Madame Chastain’s plumbing got in the way of a romantic afternoon?’ Olivia said.
‘It was Hans’ plumbing, actually. We eventually established the water running down her wall was coming from a leaky cold water pipe under his bath. It’s all turned off now, and the plumber’s coming to fix it tomorrow. But by the time we reached that point, the moment had gone. He needed to pack for his Berlin trip. He’ll have left France now.’