‘Yes, but why? I don’t get it. I really think I can make a brilliant life in France, Kitty. Why don’t you want me to do that?’
‘It’s not that… I just— I suppose I thought it was one of those things people say but don’t really ever get around to. It’s great. Impressive, actually. But I just worry.’
‘I know you do.’
‘And you’re sure Pete is the one?’
‘Well, yeah. If nothing else, the fact he’s willing to move to France for me should tell you something! We’re in love.’
‘Well, good. Wonderful. Congratulations.’
‘You don’t sound very sincere.’
Kitty sighed. ‘I’m sorry, Bella. I am honestly happy for you. But I can’t help being worried too. It’s my job.’
‘You don’t have to, you know. Worry about me, I mean. I’m OK.’
‘I know.’
Their eyes met for a long, gentle moment.
‘I’ll miss you, you know.’
‘Then you’d better make sure your passport is up to date, because I plan to have a spare room just for you.’
26
NOW
Tonight, when she reached the house, the front door was slightly ajar and music was playing softly from the kitchen. She wondered whether Brad had brought his guitar downstairs, but when she opened the door, she found Henri and Odette with a collection of other youngsters, milling around the central table. One of them had Brad’s guitar in his hands, although Brad himself wasn’t there. Henri looked up and gave her a grin.
Six days had passed since Brad’s arrival, but he seemed to have spent most of his time holed up in his room. Sometimes she heard the sound of soft, beautiful guitar music playing; other times it was silent and she wasn’t sure whether he was at home or out somewhere, conducting whatever business he was here to conduct.
‘Bella!’ Odette said, sounding inordinately pleased to see her. ‘You’re home.’
‘Yes.’ She accepted the glass of wine that was already being shoved into her hand.
‘I didn’t realise they would keep you so late.’
In reality, she’d chosen to stay late to get her desk in order, to prepare what she could for the next day. But she smiled and said, ‘Yes, everything got really busy.’
‘We’ve been waiting for you!’
They had? She racked her brain, trying to figure out why that might be, but couldn’t for the life of her work it out. She definitely didn’t remember agreeing to go anywhere this evening. ‘Thanks,’ she said at last then, ‘Does Brad know that guy has his guitar?’
Odette shrugged. ‘Brad was here when we arrived, but he disappeared into his room. He left his guitar so?—’
‘Yeah, but surely someone should ask before they play it?’
‘I don’t think he’d mind?’ Odette said, the last part raised in an inflexion which suggested she hadn’t considered this possibility before. ‘We asked him to keep playing, but he is very private about it. He seemed almost angry when we turned up.’
‘Oh. So, you waited for me?’ she prompted, changing the subject.
‘Well of course! We couldn’t go to Pigalle without taking you, after you said you’d never been!’ Odette said, laughing. ‘Now go change.’
Bella suddenly realised that her attire was very different from that of the others in the kitchen. The women – girls – were dressed in short dresses made of shiny material, the men – boys – in jeans and shirts that were fitted and open-necked. She glanced at her own plain work outfit and realised that she looked like their chaperone rather than a friend.
‘Oh, tonight?’ she said, thinking longingly of the bath and the fact that when the house emptied it would be so very wonderfully quiet. ‘I think I might prefer to?—’
