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“Oh, no, I’m fine,” Ronan laughs. “I think I might stick around here a bit longer. A friend of mine works across the street in Bar Soho, so I might go there for a while.”
“Okay. Well, if you change your mind, the offer’s there.”
Nick takes my hand and, waving goodbye to Ronan, we head up the street in the direction of the car.
“Darling, your hands are freezing,” he whispers. “What happened to your gloves?”
“I think I lost them somewhere.”
He squeezes my hand to help warm my fingers. I sigh; his skin feels so soft. “I’ve missed you so much, Carly. I couldn’t wait to get you away.”
I smile up at him. I don’t need words; my expression says it all.
We pick up the Jag from Greek Street and head toward South London. After we’ve been driving for a few minutes, Nick tells me he spoke to Jessica’s mother.
I stiffen. “You did?”
“Yes. I phoned her to send the family my condolences. I’ve also arranged for flowers to be sent to their home in time for the funeral.” He steals a quick glance at me and then returns his gaze to the traffic. “It just seemed the right thing to do, you know? To reach out to them. Losing a child like that … I can’t imagine what they must be going through.” He hesitates, and then checks himself. “No, actually I can. Having lost both of my parents, I know all too well the pain of losing someone you love. The feeling is excruciating.”
“Oh, Nick!” I reach out and squeeze his knee. “We don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to.”
He wets his lips, appearing to weigh up his words. “I must apologise for how I behaved earlier. My attitude may have seemed a tad mercenary, given the circumstances, but you must understand that I’m not always good at conveying emotion. When I first heard the news about Jessica, I was in total shock, and I didn’t quite know how to react. You must forgive me.” Briefly, a street-light illuminates his face, then drops it back into darkness. I wait for him to continue, but he just stares straight ahead, his face the picture of disquietude. It seems he’s said all he wants to, and I decide not to push it.
“Do you still want to get something to eat?” I ask, trying to brighten the atmosphere.
“Sure. What do you fancy?”
“I don’t really know. You choose somewhere.”
“No, you choose. I think the lady should always decide.”
I work my face into a smile.Such a gentleman.
In the end, we drop by a Lebanese restaurant in Old Street and grab two take-out Shawarmas to eat in the car. It’s not the most comfortable set-up. We get our fingers dirty and the onions stink to high Heaven, but at least it gives us something to do.
Then we’re on the move again, and before I know it, we’re pulling back into my street. Nick kills the engine and looks at me uneasily. “Oh, I forgot to mention, I’m going to be away for a couple of days. I leave for Cambridge first thing tomorrow. There’s some important business I need to attend to.”
“Oh.” I try not to show my disappointment. “When will you … when will you be back?”
“Next Saturday.”
“Oh, my God! That’s a whole week without you, Nick.”
“I’m so sorry, darling. I know I should have mentioned it before but, with everything that’s been happening, it sort of slipped my mind.”
I stare at him, frowning. “What about the paintings?” I ask suspiciously.
“Paintings?”
“Yes, James’s paintings. The ones you bought yesterday. You said the gallery was supposed to have them delivered to your house in the next couple of days. If you’re going away, who will be there to pick them up?”
“Ah. That’s a very good point.” He pauses. “I guess I’ll phone the gallery and get them to put off the delivery till I get back.”
I continue to stare at him. Panic sets in. “I wasn’t born yesterday, Nick.”
“What are you talking about?”
“This is all so random, and I won’t be fobbed off. Do you seriously expect me to believe you’re going to Cambridge for a business trip? What about your patients? I mean,come on.”
