She was silent now, and as he looked at her his expression changed. ‘I mean, you told himno,right?’
‘Not exactly.’
‘Oh.’
‘Itisa no. It will be,’ she said quickly. ‘But he asked me – begged really – to think about it for twenty-four hours, so I said I would.’
Brad’s cheeks were flushed. ‘OK.’
‘I didn’t feel I could tell him no, after he asked that. He’s a good guy, you know?’
‘So you might get back with him?’
‘No! Of course not! It’s the last thing I want.’ She heard the frustration in her own tone. ‘He just told me not to give him an answer for twenty-four hours, and I agreed. But…’
‘Right. I see.’ But Brad’s tone suggested otherwise. He cleared his throat as if trying to reset himself. ‘Anyway,’ he smiled, but there was something slightly off. As if his eyes hadn’t received the memo. ‘Are you going to give me a tour of this beautiful house?’
‘Sure, of course.’ She gestured him towards the door that led off the tiled hallway to the kitchen.
‘Thank you,’ he said, his smile still fixed.
‘Brad,’ she said as they walked through into the large open plan kitchen, each cupboard painstakingly chalk-painted by Pete three years ago. ‘You do know that I have no intention of getting back with Pete, don’t you?’
‘It’s fine if you do.’
‘Right. OK. But I wouldn’t?—’
‘I mean, we’re not— it’s not like there’s anything between us,’ he said with an exaggerated shrug.
Her heart sank. ‘Oh. But didn’t you?—’
‘Great kitchen! Hey, is that an Aga?’ His voice upbeat but artificially loud, Brad shut down the conversation, firmly changing the subject.
She found herself momentarily lost for words. He slapped the top of the cream-coloured double oven with its multiple doors.
‘Um. Well, yes, it is.’
‘Man, I love these things!’ he said, bending down to inspect it.
‘Me too.’ She opened her mouth to say something else but found herself shutting it. For now, there was nothing more she could say.
49
NOW
‘Bon Dieu, I hope this works,’ Yves said as he opened the side door once again and saw the four pieces of solid-wood furniture they’d carted back from Peyrat. He put his hands to his cheeks.
‘What’s the matter, buddy. Don’t like the furniture?’ Brad asked.
‘No, it looks—’ Yves peered into the darkness, ‘it’s fine. Beautiful, actually. But there are so many lies! I am beginning to fear for my job.’
Bella gave a half-smile. ‘Sorry, Yves. You know this couldn’t work without you.’
‘I know. That is what I’m afraid of.’
Claudine was back, and Yves had spent his day making sure she didn’t venture to the rooms, and helping them keep out of sight. He had been their man on the inside, and it was clearly wearing on him.
‘It’ll be great!’ Brad said. ‘You’ll be the hero of the hour. Now can you help me with this chest of drawers?’
