They stole out of the house before dawn, keen not to awake Madame who might insist they ate the breakfast they had paid for. The sound of the car doors shutting sounded very loud but no one stirred. They were back on the road again, anxious to catch the ferry that evening.
Although it felt as if it was all she could think about, Meg didn’t want to talk about the previous night. Her body held the memory of what had happened and she knew her heart always would. She had no regrets.
By hardly stopping and driving as fast as they dared (Meg was still sharing the driving, no longer worrying about insurance), they just caught the last ferry back to England.
After the scramble to collect their tickets and get on the boat, they decided to go to the bar.
‘I think we should celebrate!’ said Meg. ‘Getting here on time!’
‘Good idea. What would you like? Have a brandy before dinner?’
‘Yes. At least I’m not worried about imminent thunderstorms tonight.’ She realised what she’d said and felt instantly embarrassed.
‘Meg …’ Justin reached out his hand.
‘It’s fine, Justin,’ she said as cheerfully as she could manage. ‘More than fine. I just want to make sure that Ambrosine is all right now. I’m not sure why she was asking for me, but she can tell me.’ She paused. ‘I imagine it’s about flowers for her funeral. She’s very particular.’
Still holding her hands, Justin laughed and ordered brandy for both of them.
The cabin had two narrow single bunks and at half past nine, when they got into them, all Meg wanted to do was sleep.
She did.
Chapter Thirty
Because they had been one of the last to get on the ferry, they were among the first off. At half past seven on a bright summer morning they were on their way again.
‘Unless you’re starving now,’ said Justin. ‘I suggest we get to the hospital and find a greasy spoon for breakfast near it. Then we can settle until they let us see Ambrosine. It won’t be visiting hours but they might let you see her because she’s asked for you.’
‘I am starving now but I’m happy to wait,’ said Meg. ‘The last forty-eight hours or so feel like about a year. It seems so strange to be back in England. As if France was a dream!’
‘A happy one, I do hope,’ said Justin, looking at the road ahead.
‘A very happy one, thank you,’ said Meg.
Having slept so well and had time to think about what had happened between them meant that Meg no longer feared the conversation that surely must take place between them. She knew now, without doubt, that she loved Justin, and given the tenderness and care he had shown her when they made love, shewas fairly sure that he loved her too. She knew everyone in France was certain that he did but she needed to have it spelt out for her. Laura had thought she had been engaged to Justin, but she’d been wrong. Meg didn’t want to make the same mistake. And for now, she would focus on Ambrosine.
They found the perfect café with condensation running down the windows and a thick fog of cigarette smoke filling the air.
‘The tea will be very strong and the bacon very salty and I imagine there’ll be several thick slices of bread and butter to go with it all,’ said Justin, ushering Meg to a free table.
They ordered everything that a proper breakfast offered, including fried bread, toast and baked beans.
They didn’t speak as they ate. They were both ravenous, having not had much to eat the night before.
‘Well, that was utterly delicious!’ said Meg at last. ‘Should we add baked beans to the breakfast we do at the hotel? I am joking!’ she added hurriedly. ‘I really don’t think Lady Fussy-Knickers would like it.’
The proprietor of the café came up. ‘More tea? Toast? Anything?’
Meg shook her head. ‘But that was perfect! Thank you so much!’
The man was obviously unaccustomed to being thanked so profusely but when Justin asked if Meg could sit there while he went to the hospital to see if they could visit a relative, he nodded readily.
‘I’ll bring you another tea anyway,’ he said. ‘Just in case you change your mind.’
Meg was not at all surprised that when Justin came back it was to announce that they could visit Ambrosine immediately, even though the hospital had a very strict matron and it was hours before visiting time.
Nor was she surprised to be ushered into a side ward by a nurse with ‘Sister Judy Ellwood’ on her badge. Ambrosine was obviously getting the very best attention. She had a room on her own, with a large window and a view of the garden.
