Her suggestion appeared to be met with surprise.
“And as I stated earlier,” she continued. “You really didn’t have to come all this way to speak to me. Please ensure any future contact is made through the proper channels.”
Matthew remained seated. “Why would I do that?”
“Because that’s what usually happens when two people divorce.”
“I’m not here to talk about a divorce, Flick.”
“Divorce, annulment, call it what you want, Matthew. It makes no difference to me as long as we get it sorted.”
“But I don’t want any of those things.”
Flick had had enough. She’d given him more of her time than he deserved already. “Then what do you want?” she asked, wishing he’d just leave once and for all.
“For us to get back together.”
Flick fell silent. She sat back down, unable to believe what she’d just heard. “For us to what?”
“Look, I know how stupid I’ve been. How selfish I’ve been. Like I said, I panicked, I buckled under the pressure of having to try to be perfect, when Lord knows none of us are. But I never stopped loving you and I’ve missed you these last few months like you wouldn’t believe. Please, just give me another chance. Give us another chance.”
Flick listened to his heartfelt plea, saw the desperation in his eyes. Usually so cocksure of himself, this was a side to Matthew that she’d never experienced.
“At least think about it.”
Stunned into silence, Flick couldn’t get her head around any of it. What on earth did Matthew think he was playing at?
“You’re right, I should go,” he said, finally getting up from his chair.
Flick awkwardly followed suit, tracing his footsteps as he headed down the hall to the front door.
“I’m staying atLe Grand Hotel. I’ll be there until Saturday.” He stopped and turned to face her. “I want you to come back to the UK with me, Flick.” He opened the door, before pausing again. “I’ll be in the reception at 7pm waiting for you.”
“But–”
“Please. Don’t make a decision now, think about it first.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “And know that I love you,” he said, before finally letting himself out.
Flick stood there, no longer able to think straight. Did Matthew mean what he was saying? Or was this some sort of game? She felt rooted to the spot, watching him as he walked down the long sweeping drive.
34
With a hot cup of coffee in one hand, Flick pulled her coat snug across her chest with the other. Grey clouds overhead threatened rain and a cold wind blew around her as she stared out at Nate’s cottage on the other side of the lake. Smoke rose from its crooked chimney and a light shone out from one of the windows. It was like looking at some wintry scene on a postcard – picture perfect.
The sound of her phone ringing filtered out from the kitchen, but she ignored it. It was probably the café again, they’d been ringing non-stop for the last twenty-four hours. It had been a while since she’d spoken to them and they probably wanted to know when she was going to be back at work. Either that, or to apologise for Matthew’s sudden arrival.
In no mood to answer, she chose instead to listen to the sound of Nate’s chainsaw, just a faint whirring by the time it reached her. She sighed. To think only twenty-four hours earlier she’d been looking forward to their date. Thanks to her growing feelings for the man, getting to know him more had felt like the right thing to do. Matthew turning up, however, had changed that. Matthew’s arrival had left her confused and she found herself questioning her feelings.
Was her attraction for Nate genuine, or was she experiencing a rebound? After all, he was the only man she’d allowed herself to get close to since Matthew’s disappearance. As for her husband, beneath the anger towards what he’d done, was there a chance that she still loved him? Of course, it didn’t help when every time she thought of Matthew the wordsfor better, for worsesprang to mind; a reminder that did nothing to help untangle her current emotions.
She shivered and insisting it was too cold to be standing outside, she took herself back indoors.
Placing her cup on the table, Flick moved to the front of the fire to warm herself. Orange flames danced in the hearth, crackling and spitting as they wrapped themselves around the burning logs.
Brenda entered the room and joined her at the fireside. “Just what we need on a day like this,” she said.
Flick couldn’t agree more. It was by far the warmest room in the house. Winter was creeping up on them and everywhere else in the chateau was freezing. “I can understand why this feels like the heart of the home. I bet we’re not the only ones to ever stand here like this.” She took in her mum’s attire and laughed. Jeans, shirt, jumper, cardigan, shawl, and none of them matching. “You have looked in a mirror today, haven’t you?”
“You mean the layered look is out this year?”
