Chapter twenty-two

C

harlotte was pacing up and down in front of La Folie, telling herself to calm down, her mother was unlikely to change, when her mobile rang. It was the rector, saying he had seen Mrs Batiste and she would be happy to see Charlotte on Monday afternoon around three. She was so excited that all the hurtful feelings her mother’s attitude had evoked dissipated into the air, like a burst balloon. When Andy pulled into the drive minutes later she was all smiles.

‘Well, you look pleased to see me! Missed me that much, did you?’ he teased, before giving her a kiss.

She chuckled. ‘I’ve just arranged something which will please you. I’m seeing Maud Batiste on Monday afternoon. Happy?’

Andy kissed her again. ‘Very. Now, as we seem to be attracting some attention, I think it’s time to leave,’ he said, nodding in the direction of a pair of elderly guests giving them disapproving looks. Turning the car around he drove down the lane. ‘How was your mother?’ he asked, innocently.

Immediately Charlotte felt her shoulders tense. ‘Physically a bit better but as a mother as bad as ever…’ she repeated her mother’s words and Andy sighed, reaching to clutch her hand.

‘Do remember she’s been told she might not have long to live. That would make anyone resentful.’

‘I accept that, but Mother’s resented me since the day I was born! Or so I assume, as obviously I don’t remember quite so far back,’ she replied, with a faint smile. ‘I’m doing my best to help her get through this awful time, but she doesn’t seem to acknowledge it. She wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t suggested it and she’s being so well cared for,’ she paused to blow her nose, continuing, ‘And to add insult to injury I’m footing the bill! Never once has she asked about the cost and offered to pay. Just assumes I’ll cover it. Of course I’m happy to do so, but it’s not as if she’s badly off. Daddy left her well provided for.’ She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

‘Oh! I can see why you’re upset. Your mother seems to take it for granted you’re happy to pay for her treatments but she still pushes you away as if you don’t care. I’d be upset too, if my mother behaved like that. Thankfully, it’s not at all likely.’

She flashed him a smile. ‘Your mother sounds lovely. I’d like to meet her sometime.’

‘You will, but not yet as we can’t jeopardise your meeting with Aunt Maud. There can’t be seen to be any connection between us,’ he said, his forehead creased.

Charlotte nodded, smiling inwardly at how she had distrusted Andy’s motives towards her. He obviously had been as keen on her as much as the research. She didn’t want anything else to stop her seeing the old woman who might know something about what really happened to Edmund. Although whether or not she would be prepared to share her knowledge was another matter. Settling back in the seat, she told herself to stop worrying and enjoy being with Andy. He was cooking for them that evening and had dropped her at Louisa’s before lunch while he shopped. Andy had made it clear he wanted her to spend the night with him again so she had packed a small bag with a change of clothing and toiletries. As she finished Louisa popped her head in.

‘There you are! Haven’t seen much of you lately. I assume you’ve been at Andy’s?’ she said, eyebrows raised.

‘Yes, and I’m round there tonight, hence the packing. Sorry I’ve not been much company since I got back.’

Louisa shook her head. ‘No problem. I’m happy you’re having…fun,’ she said, smirking. ‘It works out quite well as Paul is staying over tonight so you won’t be playing gooseberry. And we can have an extra-long lie-in.’

Charlotte smiled as she zipped up the bag. ‘I’ll be back tomorrow night as Andy has an early appointment on Monday. Oh, and by the way, guess who I’m seeing on Monday afternoon?’ She told her about Maud and Louisa was suitably pleased and asked if Jim knew about the meeting.

‘Oh no, and he mustn’t know. Please don’t say anything when you next see him, will you?’

‘I wouldn’t dream of it. And anyway our next appointment isn’t for a couple of weeks. He’s coming on really well with the physio and Paul’s also made up a herbal remedy to ease the inflammation. Seems to be working, too. I’ve suggested he adds Ayurvedic herbalism to the centre’s choice of therapies. We’re gradually building a reputation for our treatments as an adjunct to mainstream medicine. And if Gillian does come on board–’

‘Gillian’s joining the centre?’ Charlotte was surprised.

‘Well, it depends. Dad wants her to move in with him, but it’s a bit soon. So he suggested she became a kind of consultant for La Folie, working minimal hours and having her own space.’ Louisa shuffled her feet. ‘If Paul moves in here, his rooms will become free…’

Charlotte laughed. ‘You and your father have it all worked out, haven’t you? Well, I wish you success with your schemes. I think Gillian will prove to be an asset to the centre but I don’t see her as a lady to be pushed.’

‘I think Dad’s met his match but I do like her so I’m keeping my fingers crossed they end up together.’

The doorbell announced Andy’s arrival and after giving Louisa a quick hug, Charlotte ran downstairs to join him.

The next morning Charlotte and Andy enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before setting off from Rue St Pierre to walk through the lanes to the reservoir, something she had not yet visited. The name reservoir, to her, conjured up concrete dams holding back a large, uninteresting area of water and not much else. Andy assured her this reservoir was different, looking more like a lake surrounded by trees and definitely worth a walk around. Willing to be suitably impressed, she hooked her arm in his as they walked along lanes deemed too narrow for the normal speed limit of 35mph and consequently reduced to 15mph. It still meant they had to listen out for traffic coming behind them, but fortunately cars were infrequent. And the occasional tractor was hardly a danger.

The air was mild for October and with no wind it proved enjoyable to weave through the lanes, with sporadic birdsong keeping them company. Andy suggested they compete to guess what kind of birds were singing and Charlotte was able to distinguish between warblers and a mistle thrush while Andy came up trumps with the myriad sea birds. Laughing at their attempts to imitate the cry of a sandpiper, they found themselves on the edge of the reservoir.

This was formed by three ‘fingers’ of water stretching from the ‘wrist’ of the dam and they arrived at the tip of the middle ‘finger’. Charlotte gasped with pleasure at the sight of the water, dotted with ducks and gulls, and surrounded by thick woodland. Even the concrete dam was picturesque, complete with arches and mini towers, forming a bridge across the water.

‘How lovely! I never guessed this was hidden away in the middle of the island. Will it take long for us to walk around?’

‘About an hour so we’ll back in plenty of time for lunch,’ he said, his arm around her shoulders as they admired the view.

‘It’s so peaceful, isn’t it? It has a stillness the sea can never achieve. I imagine it’s a great place to come if you wanted to totally get away from it all. Want to think things through.’ She stood perfectly still, trying to block everything from her mind, except the fact of standing there with Andy by her side. This felt so right, but…She let out an involuntary sigh, thinking of the barriers to their relationship. Could they be overcome? It would be nice…

Andy pulled her round to face him. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked, stroking her face.

She forced a smile. ‘Of course. I…I was just wondering how it would go with Maud tomorrow, what sort of questions I should ask.’ She hated lying to him but it was sort of true.

‘Hmm. Shall we chat about it as we walk? Might get some inspiration on the way round.’

Charlotte agreed and they walked on, batting ideas back and forth. She pushed down her concerns about the future – or otherwise – of their relationship.

They arrived back at the cottage energised from their long walk and the abundance of fresh air. Charlotte caught a glimpse of her face in a mirror, noting the pink glow of her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes. Not one for vanity, she had to admit she looked pretty darn good. Something was definitely agreeing with her. Turning, she saw Andy looking at her, his lips curled up in a warm smile.

‘You really are beautiful, Charlotte. And I know we have to change for the lunch, but all I want to do at this moment is make love to you. What do you say?’ he asked, softly.

She felt the heat rise up from her neck to her face. ‘I think there might be enough time…’

Charlotte had booked lunch at a restaurant recommended by Louisa, The Farmhouse in St Saviours, not far from Andy’s part of the island. Not that anywhere was very far, but it did mean they only took ten minutes to get there. Set in lovely gardens with a pool, it offered ideal al fresco dining, but not in October. They were both ravenous after the morning’s exertions and chose the traditional three-course Sunday roast. The main dining room, a light and airy space, was separated by a wall of glass doors from the garden, bringing the outside in.

The view was lost on Charlotte and Andy, absorbed as they were in each other. Every time Charlotte looked up she caught Andy gazing at her and this happened so often that when their eyes locked again, they burst out laughing.

‘We’re behaving like a couple of teenagers, not adults who have been around the block a few times,’ Andy said, his eyes crinkled up with laughter.

‘Hey! Speak for yourself! I’ve led a very chaste existence, thank you. Until now,’ she said, feeling exactly like a teenager. Andy had brought her alive and made her feel young again. And it seemed she had achieved the same for him.

Andy had just stroked her hand when the waiter arrived to clear away their plates and bring the dessert menu. Releasing her hand he studied the menu as if it was a complex legal document. Charlotte smiled, not at all fooled. By the time they had finished the desserts and coffee, they were in playful mood and instead of going back to the car, wandered around the garden.

He cleared his throat. ‘I know we’ve not known each other very long, but I, I think I’m falling for you. And the thing is, you’ll be going home soon and well, I wish you didn’t have to.’ He pulled her close and kissed her as they stood hidden by a large shrub. Charlotte gave in to the kiss, living in that wonderful moment when all else is of no consequence. As voices floated nearby they drew apart but stayed immobile.

‘I…I have feelings for you, too. But it’s complicated, isn’t it?’ she said at last, pushing her hand through her hair and wishing they could stay as they were. ‘People do have long-distance relationships and there’s no reason why we couldn’t. It’s only an hour’s flight to London so we could meet at weekends…’ she trailed off, knowing in her heart it wouldn’t work. Or at least not long-term. She would be spending all week looking forward to the weekend and then be in bits when she waved him off on Monday morning.

He kissed the tip of her nose. ‘Not sure if it’s what either of us wants, is it? We don’t have to decide anything now, but I guess I wanted to know how you feel. To see if I have any chance of winning you. For the duration, not just for a few weeks.’

Charlotte took a deep breath. He really wanted a proper relationship! Which would be wonderful if only…

‘Let’s see how things develop, shall we? There’s a lot going on at the moment, what with your family’s secrets to resolve and your father’s health. And then there’s my mother, with her illness…’ she said sadly, thinking of the woman to whom she was so close, yet wasn’t.

Andy’s face fell, registering his disappointment. Charlotte wished she could offer him more, but it wasn’t the right time. She could only hope he would wait until she knew exactly what it was she wanted. And what she would be prepared to give up.