“I was telling Flick she’s not the only one around here with a creative streak,” she carried on. “That you sculpt out of wood with a chainsaw of all things. I thought it would be nice if she could see some of your work before we leave?”
Her use of the wordleavesurprised him and his eyes narrowed as he wondered if this meant he was off the hook. Her accompanying smile seemed to indicate that he was, resulting in such a wave of relief that he could have hugged her. Glad to hear she’d seen the error of her ways and decided against extortion, he told himself that he’d known all along she wasn’t the criminal type. She was simply a mother looking out for her daughter. He let out a long grateful sigh. At last, he could relax again. “You’re more than welcome to come over. I’ll even return the gesture.” Nate held up his mug.
“That’sifwe leave.”
Nate froze and, with his mug still mid-air, life as he knew it again flashed before his eyes. The woman was good, he’d give her that.
“Have you managed to think about my proposition?” she asked. “My silence for your help.”
Nate scrutinised her expression, hoping for a hint of weakness, something to show she was just trying her luck. But her face remained steadfast, telling him nothing at all.If this woman doesn’t play poker, he thought,then she bloody well should. “Let’s just say I’m still thinking about it,” he said, trying to match her in the stakes.
“Well don’t think for too long, I’ve already put the papers on speed dial.”
“I don’t believe it,” Flick said from out in the hall, her voice an octave higher than usual.
Nate swung his head round as she suddenly burst into the room all of a fluster. His heart raced. Surely she hadn’t overheard.
“You’ll never guess who that was,” she said. Holding her mobile aloft for all to see, her face broke into a smile. “It was Dee. We only have ourselves a viewing!” She squealed, struggling to contain her excitement.
Nate sighed, struggling to hide his relief.
“Finally,” Flick carried on. “I can sort my life out once and for all.”
Nate wondered if this meant an end to Flick’s mother’s scam. One more look at the woman, however, and he knew all he needed to know.
18
Flick sat on the wall outside theboulangerie. Staring in at the delicious pastries and breads on display, her stomach felt like her throat had been cut. It was her own fault. Having spent the last few days scrubbing down every inch of the chateau, she couldn’t risk messing up the kitchen. One of the most important rooms when it comes to selling houses, the last thing she wanted was a rogue croissant or forgotten cereal bowl putting off the buyer.
Flick shifted slightly, no longer able to feel her backside thanks to the cold stone surface it rested on. Although at least a numb bottom stopped her focusing on her grumbling belly, even if it didn’t quell the nervous anticipation surrounding that day’s viewing. She checked her watch, wondering how it was going. If all went well, she could, at last, get back to life as she knew it. She paused in her thinking. Was that really what she wanted?
She turned her attention to her mum inside the shop. Laughing and joking with Gigi, she seemed to be sampling everything theboulangeriehad to offer. Not that Flick and her stomach could blame her. Her mother had been forced to go without breakfast too.
Finally, the two women appeared to be saying their goodbyes and Flick jumped down off the wall in readiness. “You took your time,” she said, as her mum made her exit.
“We’re not in any rush, are we?” Brenda held up a bag of newly acquired goodies with a smile. “For later.”
Flick looked at her watch again. The viewing would be well underway by now. “Coffee?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Flick rolled her eyes at her mother’s cheek. They could have been on their second cup had she not spent so much time with Gigi. Flick led the stroll down the high street towards Café Ange, her mother admiring the quaintness of the town as they passedLa Posteand theSalon de Coiffure.
“This place has everything you could need,” Brenda said.
Flick couldn’t help but admire her mother. She’d expected a morning of silence on her mum’s part, broken up every now and then with the odd woeful sigh. Instead, the woman at her side seemed chirpy, as if the sale of the chateau was no longer an issue. Flick wished she could feel the same, but her mind wrestled over whether or not she was doing the right thing. “I must say you’re taking this all very well.”
“Am I?”
“Well, yes.” She thought about her own anxiety, a kind of hopeful anticipation mixed with a strong sense of guilt. It was strange how a single decision could feel both so right and so wrong at the same time. “You seem to be handling it better than me, in fact.”
Brenda smiled. “Maybe I just don’t see the point in worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet.”
“You don’t think we’ll get an offer?”
“I think we should sit down and have that cup of coffee I’m desperate for.”
Realising they’d reached their destination, Flick decided to let the matter drop. Thanks to that day’s viewing, she supposed they’d be doing lots of talking soon enough.
