‘Friends of Solange,’ said Luc with vague indifference.
‘Sounds like they’re having fun.’ Hattie could make out several different voices talking in rapid French.
‘Mmm,’ Luc didn’t seem interested. ‘And you don’t need to worry about Fliss. She said to tell you that she’s as happy as a pig in muck and that the kitchen is perfect. She seems very easy to please.’
‘Mm, not sure about that. She has exacting standards but she’s thrilled with the kitchen.’
But Hattie was pleased to hear that Fliss was okay. Tomorrow she’d make up for her absence and they could sit down and talk menus and what could realistically be achieved between the two of them. Which reminded Hattie, she needed to check her emails. When Luc had gone she’d get out her laptop and catch up on some of the admin she’d neglected while she was cleaning. She’d been waiting on her cousin for final numbers for the last couple of days. Last time she’d checked there’d been no response to her most recent email or to the pictures of the ballroom or Hattie’s proposal that they hold the reception in the ballroom and the service with the celebrant in the larger salon, with drinks served in between the two out on the terrace, weather permitting. It wasn’t like her cousin to be so reticent all of a sudden.
‘I can see that look, Hattie.’ Luc reached up with his hand and traced the spot between her eyebrows. At the touch of his finger her eyes caught his and for a full second their gaze held. Blue, blue eyes, she thought. And those tiny darker flecks around the iris.
‘What look?’ she asked, all innocence, having already decided that the minute he left, she’d get up and dress.
He paused before smoothing the line that habitually formed on her forehead whenever she was worried, then dragging his finger down her cheek and studying her with a gentle smile on his face, which sent her heartbeat into overdrive.
‘Stop worrying. Everything will still be there tomorrow. Just rest now. Take a day.’
He pulled away making her feel a little bereft. What had she been hoping? That he’d kiss her?
‘I’ll come back later and check on you. If you need anything, text me.’
‘Yes, boss.’
Despite everything he’d said, as soon as Luc left, she picked up her phone. Phew. An email from Gabby.
Ballroom looks epic! Great work. Numbers tbc. And I’d really like the ceremony outside. Agree the terrace for drinks. Busy here. Call soon. Gxxx
Still no numbers. Even a ballpark would be helpful. Were they looking at a hundred? A hundred and fifty? A hundred and twenty? And where outside were they going to hold the ceremony? Another problem for her to address tomorrow.
She eyed the text notification, betting it was from Chris. She hadn’t replied to the last one.
I know you want some space and I’m giving you space but just wanted you to know I’m thinking about you. I still love you, even though you probably don’t want to hear that but I can’t help the way I feel and I think we should always be honest with each other and ourselves. Cx
What on earth was she supposed to make of that? She slumped back against the pillows, her shoulders tight with tension, weighed down with guilt, and spent a frustrating half-hour going over and over old ground in her head, still trying to work out if she was doing the right thing.
Eventually she put it aside and was able to focus a little on her spreadsheet. Now that Fliss was here, she could start ticking a lot of things off.
At a knock on the door, she hastily shoved the laptop under the covers. ‘Hello. Come in,’ she called.
The door opened and Fliss popped her head around. ‘You up for a visitor? I’ve brought some more of Luc’s special tisane. Smells vile. But he was quite insistent it would do you good. I’m glad it’s for you, not me. I like proper put-hairs-on-your-chest builders’ tea.’
Hattie laughed, pleased to see a friendly face. The four walls were starting to get on her nerves. She wasn’t used to not doing anything.
‘How you doing?’
‘I’m bored now. I hate staying in bed with nothing to do.’
‘If I dared cross Luc, I’d have brought my notebook up and we could start talking recipes and menu planning.’
‘It’s all right. I’ve got my laptop.’ She withdrew it from under the covers and Fliss smiled approvingly.
‘Just don’t let him catch you. He’s very territorial, isn’t he?’
‘Is he?’
‘Yes. He was quite clear that he didn’t want anyone disturbing you.’ Fliss raised her eyebrows. ‘Is there anything going on I should know about?’
Hattie swallowed and lifted her chin. ‘No,’ she said, her voice shaking just a little.
