Chapter 55
To say Nick had endured a restless evening was an understatement.
He’d sped home, mindful that the weather was closing in, and slammed the door of the cottage, hoping to lock out some of the frustration that the conversation with Thea had caused.
Playing their last words over and over again in his memory, he’d realised, with twenty-twenty hindsight, that he had, as per usual, done things completely wrong.
How many years had he known Thea? Too many.
And he knew that when she was cornered, she got defensive; she dug in and pushed back out with everything she had.
He should have just walked away, left her to cool off, but instead, desperate for some kind of resolution, he’d pressed her, and in the end, she’d given him an answer that was the last one he’d wanted.
Now, instead of sitting around her dinner table and spending time with her and the children, he was back in the cottage with only Marmalade for company and a long, freezing night ahead.
‘You’re a bloody idiot,’ he muttered. Marmalade looked disinterestedly up at the sound of his owner’s voice.
‘When will you ever learn?’ He reached for his phone and then chucked it back down again on the kitchen table.
There was no point: Thea would, hopefully, cool down in her own time and they could talk things through.
Looking to take his mind off things, but not feeling very hungry, he popped a couple of slices of bread into the toaster and waited.
Marmalade provided a welcome distraction by loudly reminding him about dinner, so Nick duly obliged.
‘Probably all for the best, anyway,’ Nick said to the cat as he popped the bowl down in front of him. ‘I can’t see you and that tortoiseshell minx, Lupin, playing happy families together under one roof!’ It was a lame joke, and it failed to raise a smile from him or any response from Marmalade.
Munching on his toast a couple of minutes later, he reached for his phone again. Maybe he should try calling Thea. He still liked to make actual phone calls, and he wanted to do more than just text. Should he?
‘Oh, fuck it!’ He dialled before he could change his mind.
‘Hello?’
‘Er, hi.’ Nick felt confused. ‘Who’s this?’
‘It’s Cora. Why are you phoning Mum’s phone? I thought she was with you?’
Nick’s heart beat a little faster. ‘No, Cora, she’s not. Why, was this where she said she was coming?’
‘Yeah.’ Cora’s tone grew more concerned. ‘The snow’s got really bad, now. I was worried when I realised she’d left her phone behind at home. Are you sure she’s not there?’
Nick gave a little laugh. ‘I think I’d know if she was! I promise you she’s not hiding in my wardrobe.’
‘Eww, gross!’ Cora gave a giggle, but then she grew serious again. ‘Can you ask her to call me when she gets there? I mean, she might have, like, stopped off somewhere, but she left here about an hour ago, so…’
Nick nodded, and then remembered Cora couldn’t see him. ‘I will.’ He realised that Cora probably needed a bit more reassurance. ‘Don’t worry, lovely,’ he added. ‘I’m sure she’s fine. I’ll let you know the minute she gets here.’
‘Thanks, Nick.’ Cora’s voice sounded a little shaky. ‘It’s just I can’t help worrying. My grandparents crashed their car on an icy night, and I can’t, like, imagine what it would be like if Mum did the same.’
‘I promise, I’ll ring you the minute I see her,’ Nick said. ‘Even better, I’ll get her to ring you. Keep her phone next to you and we’ll speak again really soon.’
As he ended the call, he shook his head.
Dealing with anxious teenagers wasn’t something he was used to, and he hoped he’d said the right things to Cora.
Her concern for Thea was making him even more worried.
What if she had skidded in the snow and was stranded in a ditch somewhere?
Her car was so bloody ancient, he wouldn’t trust its brakes in good weather, let alone a sudden snowstorm.
‘Right, that’s it, Marmy!’ He glanced at the cat again, who’d finished his dinner and was now padding softly past him ready to settle in his favourite bed on one of the radiators in the living room.
‘If she’s had a shunt, I’m going out there to help.
’ Grabbing his coat and, as a second thought, a large, navy blue cashmere scarf, he headed out of the door.
What the Volvo might not be able to handle, his Land Rover certainly could.
He only hoped Thea would appreciate the help.