Chapter 45
I remembered the way from earlier. The roses were in bud but it was still a little too early for the flowers to be out.
Tomas had promised to bring me back when they were in full bloom.
Neither of us had mentioned the fact that, by then, my six-month lease on the apartment would be coming to an end.
I couldn’t live off my savings indefinitely and I’d have to make a decision about what the next step in life would be.
He didn’t turn as I approached. The borders were all artfully uplit but it was the large, bright moon that highlighted his profile against the darkness.
‘Bonsoir.’
‘Bonsoir,’ he replied, still not turning.
I walked up and took a seat next to him on the acacia wood Lutyens-style bench.
‘Thank you for accepting my mother’s apology.’
I took a deep breath of the cool night air. ‘It took a lot for her to do that. I appreciate that.’
‘Even so.’
‘I know.’
‘I’ll drive you to the station. I don’t want you in a cab alone at this time of night.’ He turned his face towards me, the jaw tight, the eyes sad. ‘I know I have absolutely no right to insist, or even ask that, but I’d appreciate it if you would let me.’
‘What’s that?’ In the low light, I could see he was holding something.
He held it up to the bright light of the moon. A torn photograph taped together, the tape now yellowed with age. Two young, laughing faces looked out of it, full of love and hope and expectations.
‘You kept this?’ I said, taking it off him carefully to look at it.
‘All of them.’ His voice was quiet.
‘Are they all repaired, like this?’
He nodded. ‘Stupid, I suppose… but it was all I had left of you. Of us.’
‘Oh, Tomas.’
He took the photo carefully back from me. ‘And now you’re leaving once more. Even I’m not stupid enough to think I’ll have a third chance.’
‘Tomas?’
His eyes remained focused on the past in his hands. ‘Yes?’
‘Tomas, look at me.’
He heaved a deep breath, let it out slowly then did as I asked.
‘I’m not leaving.’
The brow creased, eyes widened just a little. ‘Pardon?’ In confusion, he dropped back into French.
God, that accent, that language, was so ridiculously sexy. Or perhaps it was just him.
‘I’m not leaving,’ I repeated.
‘But you said… you said we should have told you. And you were absolutely right. Of course. I can see that now.’
‘Was that when you left?’
He dropped his head. ‘I didn’t want… didn’t need to hear any more.’
I thumped him on the arm. ‘You idiot.’
The bark of laughter he emitted startled a nearby owl who flew off with an indignant hoot.
‘Merci pour ca.’
‘You missed the good bit.’
He shifted around, his thigh brushing mine now. ‘There was a good bit? I thought… I assumed…’
‘Hasn’t life taught you anything? You can never assume, Tomas. What’s the point of getting older if you never get any wiser?’ I teased, knowing he could hear the smile in my voice even if his shadow hid my features from the light of the moon.
‘So what else did I miss?’ His hand found mine. ‘Apart from the fact that you’re not leaving?’ Excitement and relief tangled themselves within his words.
‘Well, your sister is officially going to be Sash’s godmother.’
‘Vraiment?’ he asked, emotion sliding him once more back into his native tongue.
‘Yes!’
Joyous laughter rang out in the still night. ‘She must be overjoyed. She and her ex chose not to have children but she’s always been desperate to be an aunt. Obviously, I let her down on that part.’
‘You didn’t let anyone down, Tomas. That’s just how life played out. And this way, she got to choose her own godchild.’
‘That is a very good way of looking at it.’
I squeezed his hand. ‘It’s the only way of looking at it. And you’re also missing the best bottles of plonk Benoit could find. Which means you’re making me miss them, which is even worse.’
He gave a low chuckle. ‘Then we’d better rectify that, sooner rather than later if my sister is celebrating.’
‘I hardly think the supply is going to run out!’
‘That is a very good point.’
‘Although… perhaps best to be safe.’ I pushed myself up from the bench, but Tomas’s hand stilled me.
‘What is it?’
He stood and I tilted my chin up to his face as he looked down at me in the moonlight.
‘When you said you’re not leaving, did you only mean tonight?’
‘Yes, I meant tonight.’
I felt the tension return to his body.
‘But I’m open to discussion on the rest.’
And then his arms were under my knees, mine around his neck as he swept me up and spun us both around in the moonlight.