He would never make love to her again. Ever.
And that felt like the bottom of his world was falling away as fast as that rock still bouncing down the cliffside of the Baou des Blancs.
His heart gave a thump that was almost painful as it made up for its momentary lapse, and that was a shock that made Angus realise how blind he’d been.
He didn’t want to imagine his life without Tilly in it.
And that could only mean one thing.
Hewasin love with her.
He’d thought he could get close enough to know what it was like but keep himself safe at the same time.
And he’d failed completely.
Because he didn’t feel remotely safe right now.
It felt like his heart, his life, his entire future was in Tilly’s hands, just like the phone she was triumphantly holding up as she reached level ground.
‘It’s okay,’ she said, happily. ‘Nothing’s broken.’
But something was broken, wasn’t it?
That safety barrier Angus had kept intact his whole life had a huge gaping hole in it.
20
‘Donc…’
Tilly tucked her phone safely back into her satchel and looped the strap over her head as they started to head back down the mountain.
‘So… Luc used to take amazing wedding pictures that always went viral,’ she told Angus. ‘But it was a hobby that he kept completely separate from his business because it was kind of controversial.’
‘How could wedding photography be controversial?’ Angus seemed distracted. It felt like he was watching every move Tilly was making as she negotiated the rocks and, more than once, his hand shot out to steady her. He didn’t need to. Okay, she’d almost fallen when she hadn’t been careful enough on the cliff under the cross but she was quite confident now so she ignored his offers of assistance.
‘He made images that were… thought-provoking but also uncomfortable. Like a bride whose wedding dress was on fire.’
‘That sounds downright dangerous, not thought-provoking.’
‘I think it was meant to be a statement about the waste of money spent on wedding dresses.’
‘But he’s married now?’
‘Oh, yes. Very much so. To the absolute love of his life. The way helooksat Sophie sometimes… I told her once that it was the kind of love that would burn forever and a day, even if you couldn’t be with that person because they didn’t feel the same way.Enfin…’ Tilly didn’t want to dwell on the torture of unrequited love. The notion might hit just a little too close to home right now. ‘I met him for the first time when Sophie and I were doing a wedding in a lovely castle not far from Aix-en-Provence and our photographer had a heart attack. He sent Luc to cover for him. Or rather, he sent Le Phénix.’
‘The Phoenix? Like the bird?’
‘It was Luc’s alter ego. How he kept his hobby separate from his mainstream business. He made himself mysterious. Nobody knew his real name and he wore black clothes and a hat. He took a photo that day of our bride and groom sitting in a pile of rubbish that wasdégueulasse– so disgusting! There were smelly chicken bones and broken wine bottles. But the bride and groom were looking at each other like the way Luc looks at Sophie and, because of what was around them, it was the love that jumped out at you. So clever. He called that photo “Treasure in the Trash”.’
‘Hmm.’ The sound Angus made was interested. Admiring, even?
‘A man who can recognise the cake,’ he suggested, ‘when the icing is something that is totally unacceptable. I’d like to meet him.’
‘That’s good,’ Tilly said. ‘They’ll be here next week and Sophie wants to meet you. I… ah… told her that we’ve become friends.’
And the rest! But Tilly knew she could trust her best friend not to reveal that ‘friendship’ was a cloak for feelings that went far, far deeper. Or that the hope that had seeded itself inher soul on what should have been her last night with Angus had unexpectedly become a new beginning when he decided to extend his holiday. And yes, she understood that he was avoiding the awkwardness of having to be in an office with Moira but that hadn’t stopped the hope growing tendrils. Taking root, even.
‘Luc can show you some of his photos,’ Tilly added, her tone deliberately light. ‘And you can help me persuade him that the top of this mountain will be the perfect location to add to my website gallery. Something different. Dramatic.’
