Chapter 24
24
I’m jotting notes the next morning, Sunday, in the quiet and warmth of the classroom.
‘Hey, how did it go?’ Gabriel is standing in the classroom doorway, unwinding his scarf from around his neck. ‘Good date?’
‘Great! I’m just writing some tasting notes.’
I can feel him standing in the doorway. I finish the notes and turn around beaming.
‘So, the date went well?’
‘It did! I think I may have my next idea for my twelve dates of Christmas chocolate box.’
‘Excellent! Sorry I had to leave yesterday and wasn’t here when you left. I had a … meeting.’
‘Yes, I saw.’
Neither of us says anything.
I wonder if I should tell him about his daughter phoning. Or just let them sort it out. I did offer to take a message. I shouldn’t interfere. I’ve done enough of that. She said there was no message. I just hope it’s the start of them talking again.
‘How are the other students? Recovered from the weekend?’ he asks.
‘Yes, all fine.’
‘You seem to have made quite an impression.’
‘Me? Oh, I don’t think so.’
‘I think you have a habit of leaving an impression wherever you go,’ he says, and I get that melting chocolate feeling again, the caramel centre gently oozing and leaving a lingering sweetness.
‘Not me, I’m just Clara Mackenzie from HR,’ I say. How odd that sounds.
‘Could you just taste another pairing for me? Two flavours. I’m not sure about them, but I have a feeling they could be amazing.’
‘Sure.’ I shut my notepad, as if I was keeping out Clara Mackenzie from HR and savouring the new Clara Mackenzie, who has fallen in love with sharing the love of chocolate.
I follow him out of the classroom and head towards the stairs to his workshop.
‘Hey, Patrice,’ I say, seeing him walking in through Reception towards me.
‘You’re back? I missed you last night. Went to the bar. How was your date?’ he asks.
‘Great. Just putting down some tasting notes. How about you?’
‘Seeing if I can get some ideas for my signature box.’
Gabriel turns from the stairs. ‘Patrice?’ I look up at him and hope that Patrice doesn’t think I’m here with Gabriel. No one can know why I’m here helping him.
‘Oh, Gabriel, you’re here too!’
‘Erm, yes,’ he says.
‘Is this your date? My lips are sealed.’ He smiles. ‘At least you know you can trust me, after all that business with Sébastien’s sculpture.’
‘Oh, no, it’s not like that,’ I say quickly, holding up my hands.
‘I told you. My lips are sealed. Whoever your date was.’
He smiles again and starts to head out of the school, even though it seemed he’d only just arrived.
‘No,’ I call after him. ‘My date was with Daniel, my ex. My boyfriend, my— Oh, bugger!’
He waves. ‘See you for gingerbread men later!’ he calls.
I look up the marble staircase to where Gabriel is standing.
‘What happened with Sébastien’s sculpture?’ he asks, interested.
‘Oh, nothing. But Patrice thinks we’re … y’know!’ I hiss, jabbing a forefinger between us.
‘But we’re not.’ He frowns, and I’m beginning to feel quite fond of the way his forehead falls into little furrows when he’s thinking or frustrated or cross, or like now, just not suffering anything vaguely foolish.
‘I know we’re not. But what if he gets the wrong idea? Thinks he’s caught us having a thing. Or what if he works out what I’m really doing here? That I’m here, with you. What if he’s been hanging around here and listening in at the workshop door?’
And we look at each other.
‘If anyone finds out I’ve lost my sense of taste, that’s it. I’m done for. No one will want to know about Gabriel Hartmann chocolates again. The chocolatier who couldn’t taste his own creations!’ He runs his hands through his curly hair and holds the back of his neck.
‘Maybe letting him think we had a date is better than him finding out the truth,’ I say.
He smiles. ‘You’re right. Let him think what he wants. Far better than the truth.’ And I find myself feeling the warm glow of melting chocolate all over again.