‘If it’s for real, then it’s an amazing opportunity, Juliet, very special. I would not be surprised if you went, I would not blame you. In fact, how could I do anything but encourage you?’
She stared at him.
‘Are you saying youwantme to go?’
‘Not exactly. What I mean is that I want what is the best for you, and what Toby described…well, maybe you would be happier than stuck here.’
‘But I don’t feelstuckhere, not anymore, you know that,’ she cried, surprised and hurt by his easy acceptance of the idea of her leaving. ‘I’m happy here, you know I am. Happy with my work and…’ She faltered, her courage almost failing her. ‘Well, happy with you.’
‘But is it happiness or acceptance? Your talent, Juliet, it deserves the very best audience.’
‘I would stay, just for you alone, Léo. No one…’ She drew breath. ‘I haven’t ever felt about anyone like I do about you. I thought you knew that. But also, I have my book coming out, the cookbook as well, and I’m still working for the paper. And with the other things I’m learning…Do you think I’m squandering myself in some way?’
‘Non, of course not. And I feel so much for you too, Juliet. I just don’t want you to, uh,a cheval donné, on ne regarde pas les dents. I don’t know how you say this in English – a horse that is a present, don’t look at his teeth?’
Juliet laughed, and the mood lifted.
‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. As long as it isn’t a case oftimeo Danaos et dona ferentes– I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts. This could be a big old Trojan horse of Toby’s.’
‘Well, perhaps it is a risk you have to take,’ said Léo stubbornly, and the atmosphere grew heavy again. ‘I am not going to advise you, Juliet. I cannot do so freely, given my feelings.’
Juliet gave a small smile.
‘You have skin in the game.’
‘I havela peau dans le jeu?’ said Léo, looking confused for a moment, before his face cleared, and he grinned. ‘Ah, yes, I have an interest in a certain outcome, that is true. But that interest is mine. You must be sure, you and you alone, Juliet. Look, Sylvia is calling me, I must go, but we will speak later, yes?’
He walked away towards the house while Juliet stared into the water, shivering slightly. What was Léo trying to tell her – that hewantedher to return to London? That was very much what it felt like. Or was he trying to trick her in some way, manipulate her by refusing to reveal his feelings? Maybe he thought that this ‘new’ Juliet was boring, provincial, that sheshould strap herself back into her austere clothes and accept that ‘old’ Juliet was the truer version. She sighed and stood up. Maybe there would still be a few profiteroles left over; some sugary comfort was just what she needed.
TWENTY-FIVE
‘Sylvia, are you all right?’ Léo hastened his footsteps as he drew closer to her; she did not look well.
‘I’m fine, really I am,’ she answered in a slow, small voice. ‘I’m so sorry for summoning you like that, especially when you looked like you were having rather an intense conversation with Juliet, but I wanted you because I believe I can trust you. I’m right, aren’t I?’
‘But of course you are. What can I do?’
‘I’m feeling extremely tired, I think I’ve rather overdone it today. I just need someone – you – to help me upstairs so that I can go to bed. But I don’t want you saying anything to anyone, you have to promise me that you won’t.’
‘I think I should call a doctor,’ said Léo, looking in concern at her pale, thin face.
‘No,’ she said firmly. ‘I am not ill – well, no iller than I was this morning, just tired and I don’t want to fall down the stairs or something stupid and ruin everyone’s evening. Will you help me or won’t you?’
‘Of course I will.’
‘Thank you. Just put out your arm so that I can lean on you, that’s all I need.’
Léo offered her his arm, and she drew herself up to standing. As they turned to go into the house, he glanced across the lawn and saw Juliet deep in conversation with Toby.
‘What is it?’ asked Sylvia, as he paused and stiffened momentarily. She followed his gaze towards the talking pair. ‘What are he and Juliet talking about? I was surprised when I saw him here.’
Léo started moving slowly towards the house.
‘He said he had come to commemorate Lilith, but he also had an offer for Juliet – an affordable flat in London and the possibility of a very special job.’
‘Ah. That sort of too good to be true package sounds just like Toby. What did she say?’
They stepped onto the bottom stair, and Léo braced himself as Sylvia laid all her weight on him. He had not realised how weak she was.
