Chapter Forty-Two
Friday 20th December
Olivier – 36 Tilgate Road, Brighton
Friday was going to be a long day. Olivier realised this as soon as he woke up in his maman’s quiet house. They’d had a lovely evening at the cinema and going to a meal out at the marina, looking out over the boats, all the additional Christmas lights twinkling in the black water.
But now he was on his own in a silent house and it was going to drive him insane, waiting for Ashleigh’s return tomorrow. How many times could he go over what he wanted to say to her? A million it seemed.
He needed to get out, probably go Christmas shopping but if he wandered around town on his own, all it would do was remind him of the places they’d been and the things they had done, just like seeing his display had, when he and his maman had gone past it yesterday on their way out to the cinema.
He wondered if Ashleigh had seen it and liked it.
He wondered if Ashleigh was going to be happy to seehim.
He was really going to go insane.
He forced himself up and into the shower, made a ridiculously long-winded breakfast, wrapped some of the presents he’d bought in Paris on Wednesday and watched the end ofThe Santa Clauson the television. Checked his watch and the clock a million times and yes…time had definitely slowed down. Perhaps he should go for a walk. It was a perfect winter’s day, cold and crisp, but with the sun shining. Perfect for the wedding.
He went and found his phone, considering calling his maman, to see if she needed any help in the shop but it was dead. He’d put it on silent the night before as they watched the film and completely forgotten about it. As he plugged it in using a socket by the television in the living room, he glanced up through the window and recognised a figure coming out of Ashleigh’s house.
Not Ashleigh, but Romesh. He hurried to the front door and yanked it open.
‘Romesh.’
Ro looked up, frowning as though confused and then his face transformed into a massive smile. ‘Olivier. What are you doing here? I thought you’d gone back to France?’
‘Can you come in? Are you free? I’ll tell you all about it over a coffee if you like.’
‘Yes, yes to all that.’ Romesh hurried up the path. ‘I was just checking on Christine during my lunch break for Ash. She’s away at the wedding.’
‘Is she okay?’ Olivier led him through to the kitchen.
‘Which one, Christine or Ashleigh?’ Ro looked almost sly as he took off his coat and settled himself into a chair at the table. Olivier supposed he had admitted to Romesh about liking Ashleigh, and Ash had probably told him everything that had taken place after that.
Olivier tried for an easy shrug. ‘Both?’
‘Well, Christine sent me off, telling me to stop fussing, sosheis absolutely fine. And Ash…’ He grinned again. ‘Well, Ash is actually doing well I think.’
‘Good. That’s good.’ Olivier nodded. Hewantedher to be happy. Of course he did. Had he imagined that she might miss him or be sad about his going, just a little bit? Maybe. But he definitely wanted her to be happy.
‘Yep. It is good.’ Romesh crossed one leg over the other and carried right on grinning. It was starting to unnerve Olivier a little.
‘Why are you so happy? Have you had your news yet?’
‘Not yet. Not yet. But let’s move on from that otherwise you’ll kill my buzz. No, I’m just happy to seeyou. So, what’s the story? Your dad didn’t need you after all?’
Olivier made them both coffees and sat down at the table, explaining his plans. Romesh’s eyes grew wider and wider, his smile bigger and bigger, until he appeared to be sitting on his hands to stop himself from clapping them.
‘I’ll admit, I’m touched you’re pleased I’m moving over here, but I didn’t expect you to be quite so…ecstatic.’ Olivier laughed as Romesh grabbed him in a hug.
‘Of course I’m happy to have you here. France’s loss is absolutely England’s gain, but…more importantly, this means I’m going to win my bet.’
‘What bet?’
‘Don’t worry.’ Romesh stood up and looked at his watch. ‘Look my lunch hour is almost over. What’s your plan?’
‘I just…told you?’ Olivier cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. Maybe all the stress of waiting had started hampering Romesh’s cognitive abilities.
