Chapter 19
When we returned to the restaurant twenty minutes later, my make-up was repaired, care of my old friend, and a small piece of my heart that had been missing for thirty years finally replaced neatly in the gap that had remained there ever since it was lost. As Gabby had patched up my make-up, we’d each given the other a brief, potted history of our lives from the end of term until now.
The one subject we’d both avoided was her brother.
‘Ashok will think I’ve climbed out the bathroom window and abandoned him.’
‘Is that him?’ Gabby slowed our pace as we walked arm in arm back to my table.
‘Yes.’
‘Wow. If you do decide to climb out of the bathroom window, let me be the first to know, won’t you?’
‘It’s not like that. We’re just good friends.’
‘But why not?’ she asked. ‘I think perhaps it should be. You’ve seen him, right?’
‘Yes, and I know. There just wasn’t that spark. But he’s now one of my best friends and somehow, I think that’s even better.’
Gabby made a ‘poof’ sound and shook her head.
‘Then we must agree to disagree because I would definitely not be putting him in the Friend Zone.’
‘It was Ashok who suggested I come back to Paris.’
‘Then I like him already. Vite! Come, introduce me!’ She grinned at me and we giggled as though we were still the twenty-year-olds we had been. For a moment, all those intervening years melted away and it was just us and a handsome man catching our eye.
Ashok stood as we approached the table, his gaze flicking momentarily to Gabby before focusing intently back on me.
‘Is everything all right? I sent out a discreet search party and was assured you were in good hands but still…’
‘Yes. I’m so sorry for leaving you for so long! It was just…’ I looked at Gabby and began to laugh again, unable to think of any words to finish the sentence. I wasn’t sure what it was at the moment apart from… wondrous!
He waved away the apology. ‘So long as everything is OK.’
‘Perfectly. Ashok, I’d like you to meet Gabby.’
His eyes flicked to me, recognition of the name flashing in them. I knew he would remember her from the stories I had regaled him with on our evenings out in Goa when he had asked me about Paris.
‘Yes. That Gabby,’ I beamed and answered the unasked question.
‘Ooh la la! It sounds like I have a reputation already. I only hope I can live up to it.’ She shook Ashok’s hand.
‘Somehow, I don’t doubt that for a second. Enchanté.’
My gaze flicked from one to the other. There had been no romantic spark between me and Ashok but right now, I could practically see a bonfire evening’s worth leaping between the two of them.
‘We were about to have some tea when I so rudely abandoned Ashok. Would you be able to join us? Sorry, in all the excitement and blubbing, I completely forgot to ask if you were here with someone!’
‘And I completely forgot I was!’ She laughed as she spoke, her eyes drifting back to Ashok.
‘It would be lovely if you could join us,’ he enthused. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you.’
‘Then I really should and put the record straight,’ she replied, her smile still wide.
‘Believe me. It’s all been good things.’
She stuck out a hip. ‘I should think so.’ Her smiled faded a little. ‘As much as I would love to, I’m not sure it will be possible this evening.’
‘But Ashok’s leaving tomorrow,’ I told her. From the corner of my eye, I saw him cast a glance at me.
‘Oh.’ Her face fell. Gabby had never done the aloof Parisian thing naturally. Certainly, she could turn it on when she felt like it but her natural personality was open and warm. The disappointment showing on her features was no act.
‘If you have company, they are, of course, welcome also,’ Ashok added, clearly keen to find a way to continue their acquaintance.
Gabby suddenly looked uncharacteristically tense, her eyes darting to me. And I knew.
‘Gabby?’ The voice was deep, smooth and ridiculously sexy. Despite not having heard it for nearly three decades, I’d have known it anywhere. Tomas.