Chapter 7
7
Very early the next morning, I hear the key in the lock. I don’t move, pretending to be asleep, keeping my eyes shut tight, although I haven’t slept a wink. I don’t know where to start with this conversation. He’s acting like a young man half his age. Not a man serious about a long-term relationship he’s just entered into.
I hear him stop by the living-room door and look in at me, then carry on to the bedroom where I hear the shower turning on. I open my eyes, sore and itching, and take my moment. While he’s in the shower I push back the blankets and fold them. I hurry into the bedroom and dress, so that by the time he’s out of the shower I have made some coffee and am sipping it in the kitchen at the table.
He walks in, rubbing his wet hair, and stops.
‘I made coffee,’ I say, wondering how this conversation will pan out.
He rubs his hair with the towel and pads towards the coffee machine in his towelling dressing-gown. I look down into my cup and wait for him to speak. I hear him pour the coffee, sip it and sigh.
‘Just so you know, I stayed at Luke’s. Thought I’d give you some space. Time to think about stuff. Didn’t want to get into an unnecessary row,’ he says. ‘I’m not that kind of guy.’
I don’t know how to reply. Unnecessary row? I think. Over taking recreational drugs? Not unnecessary to me. We had this conversation, along with others about how we voted in the last election and how we’d vote in the next. Neither of us is vegetarian. Saving the planet and recycling. We did it all that first weekend we met up, before and after falling into bed with each other. It was like Twenty Questions, to make sure we were happy with each other’s views. We definitely talked about drugs and were definitely on the same page. What other goalposts have shifted since we came here?
He sips his coffee, then takes a deep breath. ‘Look, it’s the weekend. Let’s go and get some breakfast and talk about this like adults.’
I look at him. ‘I am an adult, Daniel, just not one who wants to do drugs on a Friday night with their work colleagues. But, yes, let’s go and talk.’
I go into the bedroom and put on some warmer clothes.
We head out of the apartment and I wish Davide ‘ Bonjour. ’
He replies cheerfully, ‘ Bonjour, Mademoiselle Clara ,’ and wishes me a happy day, to a look of surprise from Daniel, who clearly hasn’t acknowledged him at all until now.
Out on the street it’s a bright day. Patches of snow have stuck here and there, but the pavements are clear and the Christmas lights glisten with the sun bouncing off them. It’s beautiful.
We walk towards the lake, caught up in our own thoughts, watching runners and cyclists making the most of the good weather, with much more snow on the way.
We order coffee at the stall there and walk while sipping. Finally Daniel speaks.
‘Look, I think last night was an overreaction,’ he says.
Joggers, bikes and dog-walkers pass around us as we stroll.
‘I don’t think I overreacted,’ I say evenly. ‘We found out the basic but important details about each other before we came here. We covered all the bases on what was important in a relationship.’ I feel as if I’m discussing a house purchase instead of a love affair for the rest of my life.
‘But I’m going to be travelling to Russia and China. I’ve got to feel I can still be my own person, not someone who ticked all the boxes for you.’
‘And I need you to know that what happened in the bar last night really isn’t my scene. I told you that very early on. I love cocktails and wine, but I am not into recreational drugs.’
‘Okay. I get that. I promise it won’t happen again. We’re still getting to know each other, you and I. It was a one-off – I’m just trying to fit in. Stupid of me.’ He smiles his undeniably attractive smile and I feel like we’re on an early date again, getting to know each other instead of two people who live together. It reminds me of why I found him attractive and all the reasons I came on this mad adventure in the first place.
‘Here’s to us getting to know each other better.’ He holds his coffee cup to mine. ‘And to our new life in Switzerland.’
I agree, and smile. ‘And to talking more. Communicating. Neither of us is a mind reader.’
‘Absolutely!’
‘We should celebrate,’ I say. ‘Something special to mark our second-week anniversary of moving to Switzerland. Going into our third week! It’s not a holiday once you’re into the third week. And I’ve done a week at chocolate school and am planning to go back.’ I tell him what I’d hoped we’d talk about last night.
‘So tell me all about it. How was your week at Willy Wonka’s?’ He smiles, making me laugh.
‘Better! And don’t call it that!’ But he’s just joking. I shouldn’t have taken it to heart last night, but I was tired. ‘I’m still way behind the rest of the group, but at least I didn’t get laughed out of the classroom this time. And there’s one guy who is quite friendly to me.’
‘Should I be jealous?’
‘No!’ I laugh. ‘He’s one of the students. I told you they’re all half my age! And Alain, the kitchen assistant. I think it was his encouragement that made me stay.’
‘That’s good!’ He puts his hand on mine and squeezes it. I like that.
‘And next week is spices and botanicals. I just want to keep it simple and show them I can …’
His phone beeps. He pulls it out of his pocket and looks down at it, giving a little laugh, then shoves it away again.
‘Sorry, sorry, what were you saying, about Adrian?’
‘It doesn’t matter. Just that it wasn’t all a disaster. And I’m going back.’ One chocolate at a time, a voice says in my head. It doesn’t have to be the whole box all at one go.
‘Good, good.’
‘And how was your week?’ I ask quickly, making sure that we’re both keen to support each other.
‘Great! They’re a fun bunch! You must meet them!’
‘I did last night, remember?’ I bite my tongue.
‘Well, we’ll do dinner or a weekend skiing soon. With their girlfriends and wives!’
‘You make it sound like I’m some kind of WAG!’ I chuckle, and so does he. Because I’m not. I’m here in my own right. I may not know what I’ll do at the end of the chocolate course, but I want to learn more right now, get to know this town, the country, its heritage. I want to be here longer. I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet.
‘It would just be nice to make some friends together,’ he says, sliding his hand into mine as we stand. We throw our cups into the bin and start to walk, the sun on our faces and sparkling on the water of the lake, like rhinestones.
‘That would be great!’ At least we’re looking forwards. This is only going to get better.