“And if cash weren’t a problem?” Nate asked. “Would you be saying something different?”
It was a fair question. One that made her think about how beautiful and full of potential the building was, about her father’s love of France, and the reasons he’d bought it for her in the first place. “Yes. No. Oh, I don’t know. It’s not that easy.”
“Believe you me, the best decisions in life never are.”
Flick looked back towards the house again, catching another glimpse of her mum deep in conversation with Nate’s Aunt Julia and Dee. Flick thought for another moment. The man before her might have a point, but after everything Flick had been through latelyeasywas exactly what she needed.
10
The bathroom might look the part, considered Flick, with its giant window, ornately tiled floor and antique roll top bath, but in this instance, it was a definite case of looks being deceiving. Standing there in the cold, it was not a room to luxuriate in.
She stared at the water gushing out of the oversized showerhead, daring herself to just go for it. She knew she didn’t have a choice, but bracing herself, Flick also knew what was coming. Quickly letting her dressing gown drop to the floor, she grabbed the bottle of shower gel, holding her breath as she hastily stepped into the tub and under the water. Not that the lack of oxygen flowing through her body was an issue. Exhaling, she still couldn’t breathe thanks to the icy shards hitting every inch of her body. She panted, attempting to get air into her lungs, dancing up and down as she smothered herself in non-existent gel suds. Unable to stand it any longer, Flick slammed off the shower and, reaching for her towel, continued to hop from one foot to the other as she dried herself off. “The things I do for this family,” she said, yet again wondering what her father had been thinking when he bought the damn chateau.
She donned her bathrobe again and exited the bathroom. Making her way back down the corridor to her bedroom, she shivered. No matter what her mother seemed to think, there was no way Flick could put up with this for the long haul.
She quickly dressed and headed downstairs to the kitchen, the only room comfortable enough to use. Flick immediately appreciated the warmth of the glowing open fire, something her mum had taken to setting every morning, which was a good job considering. Left to her, the two of them would freeze completely.
Brenda looked up from her phone mid-text. “You’re up early.”
Flick made straight for the coffee. “I thought I might have a wander into town.”
“That sounds fun. It’ll be interesting to see if anything’s changed since your dad and I were last here.”
Flick stiffened as she poured her drink. She hadn’t meant it as an invite and her mind raced as she tried to come up with an excuse to go alone.
“I’m just telling Linda about the other night,” Brenda explained, at the same time resuming her messaging. “About how nice the party was.”
Flick shook her head. As kind and welcoming as the other guests had been,nicewasn’t the word she would have used. She’d spent the entire evening under pressure to discuss her plans for the chateau despite not having any. As well as what a fabulous surprise it must have been to find out she suddenly owned a French castle.Surprisebeing another word she wouldn’t have considered.
Everything about that night had been playing over and over in her head ever since. She agreed that the building was, indeed, fabulous, but surely no one really expected her to give up the only life she knew on a whim? Flick recalled her mother’s assertion about her moving there full-time, still able to hear the delighted response from everyone present. Flick thought about the way they’d all clambered to give her their contact details should she need any help as she began her new adventure. Her heart sank. Yes, it seemed they did. “About the other night–”
“I know what you’re going to say,” Brenda interrupted. “And I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped the gun, I just got a little bit carried away.” She glanced around the room. “It’s such an exciting opportunity though and we both know it’s what your dad would’ve wanted.”
On the one hand, Flick agreed. The chateau offered countless possibilities for anyone looking for a fresh start. On the other, she’d just been forced to take a cold shower and she was sure her dad wouldn’t have wanted his little princess roughing it to this extent. When he handed over his money, he clearly hadn’t realised how much work the chateau needed.
“And even you have to admit this place isn’t really a holiday home, it needs someone here permanently.”
Of course it did, thought Flick. She just didn’t think thatsomeonewas her. Okay, since Matthew’s disappearance she might not have much going on back home in Blighty, but she did have central heating, hot water, and a fire she could turn on with a press of a button. Modern day conveniences she could only dream about were she to stay in France. She thought about the cosy little home waiting for her back in England. Conveniences she would never, ever take for granted again.
Finally, Brenda put her phone down, giving Flick her full attention. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if sensing all wasn’t well. “Anything you want to talk about?”
There was a lot Flick wanted to talk about, but she knew now wasn’t the time. She needed to get the morning over with before discussing anything. “Nope,” she replied, instead, although as usual her mother knew her too well.
“Look, I understand this has all come as a bit of a shock. Goodness knows I had my reservations when your father suggested we buy you a chateau. I mean who does that? But rightly or wrongly, we did and here we are. And, of course, I’ll support whatever decision you come to. I just want you to think long and hard before making up your mind.”
“I’ve done nothing but think, Mum.”
“Maybe you need to think some more.”
She watched her mother get up to pour herself a coffee.
“Perhaps you should go into town on your own,” Brenda suggested. “Get a feel for the local area without me wittering on.”
Flick appreciated where her mum was coming from but unless either of them had a cool half a million going spare, which is what it would probably take to make the chateau properly liveable, Flick didn’t see the point in getting a feel for anything.Half a million,she thought.And the rest.
She opened her mouth ready to tell her mum that she’d reached a decision, but the expectation on Brenda’s face prevented any words from coming out. Flick felt terrible. The last thing she wanted to do was let her mum down, the woman who’d been there for her every second of every miserable day the last few months. And this, despite losing the man she’d been married to for more years than Flick had been married hours. No, she would get this morning out of the way and then have the dreaded conversation.
She fixed a smile on her face. “Maybe you’re right.”
