She stayed away from the house the rest of that day, and the following day she spent shut in her office.
Gabriel was conspicuous by his absence. From the breakfast table, from lunch, from everywhere. He was keeping his word and leaving her alone but that didn’t stop her heart leaping every time she heard steps on the landing. Every time a door opened somewhere, she paused and listened for his tread on the carpet, for his voice, anything.
She was a stupid, stupid girl.
The shouting started mid-afternoon. She’d been about to go out to investigate when the phone rang. Not her personal mobile but the house landline. Hopefully, someone downstairs would pick it up. She hovered by the door, hand on the knob, but when it went on ringing, she came back to answer it.
“Can I speak to Adam Mortimer please,” a woman asked.
Pierre recognised the voice. The same woman had rung a few times before.
“I’m sorry. He’s not here at the moment. Can I take a message?”
“Where is he? This is important.”
Before Pierre could answer, there was a muffled sound on the other side then a man’s voice come on.
“Can you please put him on,” the man demanded, clearly angry.
“I’m sorry. As I explained, Dr Mortimer isn’t here at the moment.”
“Where is he?”
She hesitated. For all she knew this could be some gossip journalist trying to find out where Lord M was. Thanks to Nicole’s efforts, the wedding was already attracting more attention than anyone liked. The press liked nothing better than scandalmongering, so they had tried to avoid publicity. But Nicole kept insisting that George, the son of Lord Du Montfort and the Seigneur of La Canette, was big news. Pierre was sure she needed to make it big news so she could benefit her own new business in America as wedding planner for the aristocracy.
“Can I take a message? I’ll make sure he gets it.”
“No, you bloody well can’t. Where is he?”
“I’m sorry, I cannot discuss anyone’s whereabouts.”
“Don’t lie to us. We know here’s there, so put him on.”
There was even more shouting outside. Something was very wrong.
“I’m sorry. He is not available. I have to go now.” She hung up and hurried out.
Nicole and Laura were outside in the gallery. As soon as Pierre came out of the office, they both turned to her as if expecting her to say something.
“Someone is on the phone for Adam, a woman keeps calling for him and I keep telling her he’s not here—”
“It’s you, isn’t it?” Nicole, face red and angry, turned on her. “I should have guessed.”
The vehemence of the accusation made Pierre take a step back. “What’s the matter?” She tried to keep her voice even and calm. Had Gabriel said anything about what happened?
He was there too, coming down the corridor towards them. He looked concerned.
“Colour-Girl.” Nicole almost spat the words at her. “Do you even know how stupid you look?”
Someone gasped. Pierre looked up and saw Mrs B as well as Liam walking up the stairs to the gallery. Wonderful. Let them all witness Nicole and Pierre fighting over Gabriel.
To make it worse, Nicole reached over and flicked a section of Pierre’s hair. The physical contact was so hostile it made her raise an arm up in defence.
“You sad hippie,” Nicole sneered.
Gabriel was visibly shocked. “Don’t call her that.” He moved to stand between them like a shield. “Stop it, Nic,” he said gently but firmly.
Nicole had tears in her eyes now; she shrugged him off and took another step towards Pierre who retreated. “What are you hoping to do? Ruin me?”
