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Chapter Ten
Lizzie woke reasonably early the next morning — a Saturday, though the days were beginning to blur. Apparently it wasn’t early enough to catch Nick though. When she padded into the kitchen she found a note in his bold, stylish handwriting, telling her he’d had to go out — he’d promised the neighbouring pub owner he’d go through his accounts — but would see her after lunch. Without him, the barn seemed eerily quiet. Odd, because when he was working in his study, she couldn’t hear him anyway. She’d probably heard dormice noisier than he was. She smiled, thinking how totally different he was to her. He liked the peace and quiet to study and think. When she had paperwork to do she had the radio on, full blast. In her world silence wasn’t golden, it was boring.
She missed him. It was hard for someone as independent as her to admit that, but she did. He was so solid, so together. Amazing, considering his childhood. When he’d admitted how much he’d missed being hugged, her heart had nearly split in two. In her teenage eyes he’d always been special. Now she was just starting to realise quite how special.
After downing a quick breakfast she acknowledged she wasn’t going to be able to stay at the barn all day. Not knowing Nick wasn’t there. Within an hour she’d taken delivery of a hire car and was driving back over to her parents’ house.
She wobbled slightly going up to the front door, but was soon immersed in going through their belongings, picking through what she wanted to keep. She shed tears, but there was no repeat of the wracking sobs of yesterday. Altogether she felt calmer and more at peace.
When she finally set off back to the barn it was later than she’d intended, but she was quietly pleased with what she’d achieved. In the boot was a suitcase filled with memorabilia to take back to America. And in her heart, along with the inevitable pain, were now some good memories. She’d never be able to forgive herself for her part in their deaths, but her grief no longer felt quite so raw.
Finally the little rental car bounced down the long lane towards the barn. Grinning ruefully at her driving incompetence — was there a single pothole she hadn’t hit? — she swung the car round the corner and experienced a quick spike of pleasure at the sight of Nick’s car on the drive.
Nick opened the front door. ‘Where the hell have you been?’
The suitcase she’d been in the process of dragging out of the boot clattered back down. ‘What’s wrong?’
He stood with hands on hips, an almost palpable anger emanating from his rigid frame. ‘I’ll tell you what’s wrong,’ he thundered, striding over to snatch the case from her hands. ‘I came back to an empty house, with no note saying where you were. I tried to phone your mobile, but it was turned off. Damn it, Lizzie, I was worried.’
‘I . . . well . . . I’m sorry,’ she mumbled, stunned by his reaction. ‘I suppose I didn’t think you’d be concerned.’
‘Didn’t think I’d be concerned?’ he repeated incredulously. ‘The last I knew, you didn’t have a car. I figured you must have gone out for a walk and got lost. Or fallen down a ditch and broken your leg, or worse.’ He dropped the case to the floor, biting off any further doom filled scenarios. ‘I was seconds away from calling the police when I heard the car coming down the lane.’
Now he’d started to calm a little, Lizzie dared to look at him. He did, indeed, look like a man who’d had an anxious moment or two. His hair was ruffled, as if he’d been constantly thrusting his hands through it. Traces of worry lingered in his eyes. She felt terrible, though a selfish part of her was warmed by his concern.
Reaching up, she planted a kiss on his cheek. ‘I’m really sorry, Nick,’ she whispered. ‘I didn’t think. It’s been a long time since anyone has cared where I was.’
* * *
Nick’s heart had undergone a thorough workout during the last hour. It had lifted when he’d entered the barn, looking forward to seeing her, only to be squashed when he’d found no trace of her. Then it had started to thump noisily as he’d scoured the place, desperate to find a note or any sign of where she had gone. Now, as she kissed his cheek, it went into free fall. For a moment he closed his eyes and imagined that the kiss was the start of something more. Then reality crashed down on him. She was offering an apology, pure and simple.
‘Yes, well, next time leave me a note,’ he replied rather too harshly.
Lizzie nodded once before walking stiffly ahead of him into the house.
Exhaling in frustration, he bent to lift up the case. She’d looked so pleased with herself when she’d first climbed out of the car. Almost happy. Before he’d gone and torn her off a strip. ‘So where have you been all day?’ he asked her rigid back. ‘And what on earth is in this case? It weighs a tonne.’
She spun to face him. ‘Open it and see.’
He laid the case on the coffee table and fumbled with the old lock. When it opened, his mouth gaped in astonishment. ‘You went back to the house, I take it.’
‘It would seem so. I thought I’d take some things back to America. Memories for me, mainly, but I’ve got a few of Robert’s things for him, like his bear and his model plane.’ She shifted her slim shoulders, clearly trying to keep herself together. ‘I know it’s stupid after all this time, but maybe it could spark off a memory. At least bring him some comfort.’
Her sad eyes tugged at his heart, though not half as much as the thought of her going back home. ‘That’s a great idea, and I’m glad you felt able to go back.’ Shutting the case, he stood. Her face was inches away from his, those soft lips so inviting. Reluctantly he kissed the top of her head instead. ‘You look like you need cheering up. Why don’t I take you out for dinner?’
Lizzie hesitated. ‘It’s Saturday night, restaurants are likely to be busy. Isn’t there a chance I’ll get recognised?’
‘Nobody looked at you when we had lunch in the pub. Put your wig on and you should be fine.’ He brushed a hand over her satin smooth cheek. ‘Come on, what do you say? My shout.’
Finally he glimpsed her smile. ‘Well, I guess it beats either of us having to cook. I’ll go and magic myself into a brunette once more.’
* * *
Lizzie tried not to look too conspicuous as they sat down at a table near the back of the restaurant.
‘It’s okay, nobody’s noticed you,’ Nick whispered as he drew in his chair.
‘Am I that obvious? I was trying to act casual.’
