When she saw that in fact it was Odette, she gave a sigh of relief. ‘Bonjour,’ she said. ‘Hi.’
‘Hi.’ Odette stepped in, looking around at the rather shabby room with its faded wallpaper, heavy vintage wardrobe and overlarge carved bedframe. ‘You found the right room now?’
‘Yes.’ Bella probably would have blushed if she hadn’t already been fully coloured from her earlier embarrassment. ‘Did you hear what I—what happened?’
Odette gave a little smile and sat next to her on the bed, slipping an arm around her back. ‘It’s OK,’ she said. ‘Do not be embarrassed. Henri told me.’
The arm around her back was a surprise; Odette seemed a different person to the one who’d answered the door less than an hour ago. The unexpected touch caused a prick of tears which Bella quickly swallowed away.
‘Henri?’ she said, nodding in the vague direction of the other room.
‘Oui.That was Henri, our other housemate. He told me what happened, but don’t worry. He thinks it’s funny, now he knows you are not a burglar. Or an assassin.’
‘He thought I might be an assassin?’
Odette rolled her eyes. ‘You will have to excuse Henri. He is training to be a professor of literature. He has too much of an imagination. Too many stories.’
Bella laughed. ‘Oh – well, I hope you put him right.’
‘Yes. He is reassured you are quite harmless!’ Odette’s tone was teasing and Bella felt something tight within her uncoil, relax.
‘Well, good. I’m so embarrassed just walking in like that.’
They smiled at each other for a moment, then Odette stood, stretching her arms above her head and yawning. ‘I wanted to ask you to join us for some wine, if you drink? We often haveapérostogether at seven.’
‘Oh. Yes, please.’ In actual fact, the thought of seeing Henri again so soon made Bella feel a little light-headed, but better to get it over and done with. Be a grown-up about it.
And while she’d rather not have been confronted by Henri’s – albeit rather attractive – naked body, if it turned out that this was what it took to thaw the ice, well, she’d learn to cope.
All was not lost after all.
9
2008, ENGLAND
‘Remember…’ Kitty reached over and grabbed Bella’s wrist and waited until her sister turned and looked at her.
Bella made brief eye contact then looked away. Why did Kitty have to be so bloody intense all the time?
‘Remember, whatever happens, whatever results you get, we’re all proud of you. Me, Stu, Dad and Linda.’
‘Oh yeah, I bet Linda’sreallyproud,’ Bella said, deadpan.
‘You should give her a chance, you know,’ Kitty said softly.
Bella looked at her again, incredulous. ‘Why? So I can have a brand-new mum and forget all about my actual one?’
‘Don’t be silly. She’s a nice woman. She’s kind. And you know, she’s trying.’
‘It must be very difficult for her.’
Kitty let go of her wrist and sighed. ‘I know. I get it. It’s hard for all of us. But Dad seems happy. And you know, Mum’s been gone nearly two years now.’
‘Oh, so we should just forget about her; is that what you’re saying?’
‘Look, let’s not talk about this now,’ Kitty said, a bright artificial tone returning to her voice. ‘I just wanted to say good luck. And you know, don’t worry. We’ll get you sorted.’
Bella grunted and exited the car.
