A French Affair (19 page)

‘If you look closely you’ll notice it’s been restored quite a lot.’ He paused. ‘I did really well on it.’

Gina smiled up at him, wanting to kiss him but not wanting to do it in public. ‘Thank you so much,’ she whispered.

AFTER A LONG,
dull afternoon with mince pies and cake and stilted conversation, Gina got up to go, feeling her sister would be tired and want to enjoy the rest of Christmas Day with her nuclear family.

‘Sally, thank you so much.’ Gina hugged her. ‘It’s been such a lovely day.’

‘You’re not going home already!’ said Sally. Gina guessed she didn’t want to be left with Alaric’s parents, but she hoped if she and Matthew left, they might take the hint.

‘I need to feed Oscar,’ said Matthew, ‘but it has been wonderful. Thank you so much for including me.’

Their leave-taking included a frantic, private conversation between Gina and Sally about whether Alaric could just ask his parents to leave (they decided not), but finally, Gina and Matthew, with Oscar lying in state in the back, drove away. Neither of them spoke until they were nearly at Gina’s house.

‘So, what will you do now?’ asked Matthew as he pulled up. ‘Write your thank-you letters?’

Gina smiled. ‘No. I’ll put something rubbishy on telly
and eat crisps. Maybe have a glass of wine. Then I’ll fall asleep.’

‘That sounds cosy,’ said Matthew.

‘Join me?’ said Gina impulsively. ‘You don’t have to have wine. I could make tea. Or cocoa.’

Matthew didn’t answer immediately. ‘I’ve only had one glass of wine all day. I think I could risk another now. There was Christmas dinner in between.’

‘But what about Oscar’s dinner? You said we had to go because he needed feeding.’

Matthew picked up a foil-wrapped packet from the floor by his seat. ‘Sally gave me a doggy bag. She said otherwise they’d be living on turkey for weeks.’

Gina felt excited and nervous as they went down the path to her door. She put her key in the lock.

‘I’ll go and get Oscar – if you don’t mind him coming in?’

‘Of course I don’t mind. He’s been here before and besides, he was such a saint today. Being dressed up as a boar’s head, “bedecked with bays and rosemarree” like that – what a star.’

This made Matthew smile. ‘I think he has a previously untapped streak of showmanship and fondness for children. I’ll get him.’

Maybe his master had too, thought Gina as she let herself in and deposited her loot – including her beautiful and thoughtful present from Matthew. She stroked it lovingly and felt a flutter of excitement. Then she plumped the sofa cushions, shoved wrapping paper, sticky tape and scissors that were on the floor under the sofa and set a match to the fire, thanking God that she had laid it previously. She’d fluffed up her hair and checked under
her eyes for stray mascara before she realised how cold the cottage was. She went into the sitting room to feel the radiator. It was icy.

Gina stood in the middle of the room feeling absurdly disappointed. How could they possibly have a cosy evening with no heating? While the open fire would begin to help soon, it would be chilly while they waited. Matthew wouldn’t want to stay and freeze to death.

She was just wondering if she would ever be able to find the instructions for the boiler when he came back.

‘I took him for a little trot, just in case,’ he said.

‘Good idea,’ she replied. ‘We have a problem though. The heating’s broken.’

‘Ah. Would you like me to look at the boiler?’ he said. ‘I mean, you can probably sort it out yourself if it just needs rebalancing or anything . . .’ He stalled, obviously torn between wanting to be helpful and revealing himself as a sexist.

Gina felt she would be letting down the sisterhood if she admitted to not knowing what ‘rebalancing’ meant, but on the other hand she needed heat. ‘I haven’t been here that long. If you thought you might be able to sort it, that would be great.’

While Matthew was investigating the appropriate cupboard full of spiders, Gina found a couple of throws that they could snuggle under if necessary. Then she moved the furniture round so the sofa was much nearer the fire. She didn’t ask Oscar to move. Matthew could do that if it became necessary.

‘Well, I’ve done something that might help,’ he said coming back into the room. ‘We’ll have to wait and see. I’ll feed the brute now.’

While he was fiddling around in her tiny kitchen, Gina lit more tea lights. Then she went upstairs and brushed her teeth. She didn’t use toothpaste because she didn’t want Matthew to know she’d brushed her teeth – it would look as if she was expecting something. But she also didn’t want her breath to smell of mince pies and Brussels sprouts. She only hoped she hadn’t misread the look he’d given her when she’d opened his present.

Gina joined Matthew in the kitchen, watching him fill the bowl with turkey.

‘Have you got a stool or something I can put the bowl on?’ asked Matthew. ‘It’s not good for dogs this size to eat at floor level.’

In the end she found a bucket which held the bowl at the perfect level. Then when Oscar had finished eating Matthew took him into the garden and she cleared up the mess.

‘Right!’ she said when he’d come back in. ‘You go and make yourself comfortable, I’m just going to find us drinks. What would you like? Wine? Tea? Cocoa?’

‘Actually have you got anything stronger? Rude of me to ask . . .’

‘Not at all rude. You sit down. I’ll bring you a whisky mac.’ More out of panic than anything she picked up the
Radio Times
Christmas edition. ‘Here. I only ever buy this at Christmas – you know how you do. See if there’s anything on.’

She hurried through to the kitchen. If he was opting for something stronger then that meant he wasn’t intending to rush off. Perhaps her dream of a cosy – and possibly something more – evening in front of the fire might actually become a reality. Then nerves overtook her again. The looks he had been giving her all day made her feel her
hopes weren’t based on wobbly foundations but then again Matthew was terribly difficult to read.

She brought out the drinks and handed one to Matthew. They both took a sip but Gina still couldn’t sit down. ‘I’ll just find us something to nibble. We shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach.’

Not sure where this had come from – she often drank without food and they’d eaten a feast today – she went back into the kitchen and rummaged in the cupboard for a box of cheese straws. ‘Clutching at straws,’ she muttered to herself as she put them into a tall glass. Why on earth was she nervous about going back into the sitting room with Matthew? She’d invited him – it’s what she wanted, wasn’t it? But did he, that was the thing.

She found Matthew standing by the fireplace. She put down the cheese straws and then went to adjust the curtains. Then she went back out into the kitchen. Once there she realised she didn’t have an excuse and so filled a couple of glasses with water. She was just about to take them through when Matthew appeared. He took the water out of her hands and set the glasses on the side.

‘I’ve fixed the boiler and fed Oscar and you’ve mixed drinks and found nibbles. Now I wish you would stop fiddling about and come and join me.’

She followed him out of the kitchen. ‘Why—’ she began, looking up at him as they reached the sitting room.

‘So—’ He hesitated as they heard Gina’s pocket break out into song.

‘Ignore it,’ he said.

The ringing stopped and then started again. Then the main phone went.

‘Someone’s persistent . . .’ Matthew said as the answering
machine kicked in and they heard, ‘Gina, Gina, are you there, I’m sorry, there’s been an accident, Sephie, can you come – Al, she’s not there . . . I’m leaving a message.’ There was a muffled sob. ‘I
have
tried her mobile . . . Gina, please come . . .’ Then the phone went dead.

Gina scrabbled for her mobile. ‘Oh, God, what’s happened?’ she cried as she fumbled with the keys. Matthew already had his coat on and was handing her hers. ‘Come on, you can phone from the car.’

When Gina got through, Alaric was able to reassure her that whilst it had been a nasty fall, bones might even be broken, Sephie would be fine. The little girl had been playing with her sister when she’d slipped off a chair ‘she shouldn’t have been standing on in the first place’ and fallen awkwardly on her arm, knocking her head on the side of a table. Sally had taken her to the hospital – contrary to Gina’s predictions, she’d been on soft drinks for most of the day. They needed Gina to come and look after Ariadne for them. Alaric wanted to get to the hospital as soon as he could. His parents
had
left shortly after Gina and Matthew and he knew Ariadne would be much happier with her aunt than her grandparents.

Once at the cottage, Matthew asked Gina if she wanted him to stay, but since he’d offered to drive Alaric to the hospital, which was in the direction of the French House, she said no. Having reassured Ariadne that her sister wasn’t going to die and would be home soon, she read her stories until her eyes drooped and she finally fell asleep. Gina tidied up a bit and then sank down on the sofa with a sigh and a glass of wine from a half-empty bottle she’d found in the fridge.

Shortly after midnight the others returned, Alaric
carrying a very sleepy Sephie, her arm in a sling (it wasn’t broken, her wrist was just badly sprained), a butterfly plaster on her forehead. They went straight upstairs. When Sephie was safely tucked up in bed, her parents returned and Gina handed them each a generous glass of brandy, which was gratefully received. The three of them chatted for a little while before heading for bed. Gina borrowed a toothbrush and settled down on the sofabed, her mind whirling. What an evening! Her emotions were all over the place. And Matthew had been about to kiss her, hadn’t he? She hadn’t imagined it, surely?

Alaric dropped Gina off at her cottage shortly after breakfast the next morning. Sally had said she was very welcome to stay but Gina felt the family needed some time together, particularly after the shock they’d had.

Making herself a strong cup of coffee, she rang her parents. They had already heard about Sephie’s accident and after reassuring them that all was OK, Gina gave them an expurgated but entertaining account of the previous day pre-accident, and promised she’d be over to visit as usual at this time of year.

After disconnecting Gina slumped down on the sofa, feeling rather flat. It was probably just tiredness but she couldn’t help wondering what Matthew was doing. Was he alone or had he decided to visit friends? And had something been about to happen between them before Sally had called? She slipped into a reverie, imagining her and Matthew entwined on the sofa, and later in bed . . . She shook herself. This was no good; perhaps she should do a bit of work? But then she felt that would be far too sad on Boxing Day. She was just wondering about going
for a walk to blow away the cobwebs and any lingering, lustful thoughts when her phone rang.

She blushed. It was Matthew. After filling him in about Sephie there was a pause.

‘Are you still at Sally’s?’ Matthew asked.

‘No, I’m back home. Why?’

‘You remember me mentioning wanting to take you somewhere?’ He hesitated, as if unsure, which made Gina smile; he wasn’t usually given to insecurity. ‘To visit my old friend with me?’ he finished.

Gina’s heart fluttered. ‘No, I mean, yes, I do remember you mentioning your friend. Although you were very mysterious about it all.’ She felt some of her confidence return.

‘Didn’t want to spoil the surprise. Well, I’ve been in touch with him and I think he’s up for it.’

‘Oh. When?’

‘Don’t know that yet. Anyway.’ He was silent for agonising seconds – long enough for Gina to wonder if they’d been disconnected. Then he said, ‘Have you got something wonderful planned today or do you fancy a dog walk and a pub?’

‘Um—’

‘You’re probably doing something . . .’

‘I was planning on having a quiet day, at home,’ said Gina, hoping she didn’t sound too like the spinster aunt, sadly sitting at home on her own, or more to the point too off-putting.

‘I’m here at home alone too and there’s nothing much to eat. I thought you might be in the same situation.’

‘I was about to make toast . . .’

‘Come to the pub instead. I’ll pick you up.’

‘Oh, OK, that would be nice,’ flustered Gina.

‘Nice!’ He laughed and her heart did another flip. ‘I’ll swing by in about twenty minutes. I know a lovely pub—’

‘Where they like Oscar?’

‘That’s the one!’ They disconnected and Gina hugged herself with joy and excitement.

As she got out of her sloppy sitting-at-home wear and into jeans and a jumper – and put on make-up – she tried to tell herself she was only going because she needed to eat, it would be nice to go out on Boxing Day and she was bored with Christmas specials and her own company. She knew she was lying though: really, she just wanted to see Matthew again, on whatever terms.

She and Matthew had had a very pleasant time. After the hectic and traumatic Christmas Day, Gina found she’d run out of nervous energy and could only be relaxed and chatty. After a lunch of soup and home-made bread they set off into the cold with a slightly reluctant Oscar.

Walking together was a great way to get to know someone, Gina discovered. Not being face to face meant it was easier to talk about books, music, influences, and generally talk about things. He told her about the buying trip to France he had coming up. He also talked about his ex-wife and how demanding she could be – typically French and dramatic, he’d let slip at one point. He was gentlemanly enough not to go into too much detail but she did gather the divorce settlement had been a very generous one, for her, which he now slightly regretted. He owed her quite a bit of money which was taking far too long to pay off, he felt. He was going to talk to her about it when he went to France.

She felt immensely privileged that he had shared even this much information with her when he was such a private man, and the topic was clearly painful. She understood a little more why he was so gloomy so much of the time. He did not simply have the responsibility of keeping the centre going in a recession, of maintaining the livelihoods of his loyal dealers, of living up to his much-loved father: he was dealing with the aftermath of an acrimonious divorce. She remembered how hard it had been to get over Egan; how much harder was it to move on from a failed marriage? Especially when he couldn’t really do so until he had paid her off.