Page 78 of One Last Thing
This girl whose heart has been splintered, who at one point probably thought she’d never love or be loved again. Something inside her heart lit up once more. It’s remarkable.
That is why I’ve only ever wanted to write romance.
***
‘Nico is going to join us at the festival this morning,’ Megan informs me as we wait in reception after breakfast. ‘He’s going to take us to the port but also stick around to watch the water games, too. He asked last night if that was okay.’
‘He didn’t need to ask,’ I say, as she rummages around in her bag for her sunglasses. ‘He’s always welcome. It’s been nice getting to know him again, hasn’t it?’
She glances up at me and frowns. ‘Uh. I guess.’
Ah, young love.
‘God, Mum, stop,’ she grumbles, perching her glasses on her head.
‘What?’ I ask innocently. ‘I didn’t say anything.’
‘You didn’t have to. Your face is so obvious. I know what you’re thinking.’
‘I’m not thinking anything! I only said it was nice getting to know him again.’
‘Yes, and then I could read what you were implying by your . . . dreamy expression.’
I burst out laughing and she glares at me as my cackle echoes around the chateau.
‘Megan, I think you’re looking into things, my darling, I was only saying—’
‘Mum, you are the easiest person to read on the planet,’ she states. ‘You can’t hide your opinions. Everyone knows how you feel about something by the look on your face.’
‘I may be a little lessguardedthan some, but I don’t think that’s entirely true.’
‘Okay.’ She lifts her chin, challenged. ‘What’s going on with you and Françoise?’
I swallow. ‘Excuse me?’
‘You and Françoise, what’s the story there?’ She studies me intently, as I fix a smile. ‘You used to be, like, best friends. Whenever we came here, you and her would spend loads of time together. I don’t remember Dad mentioning that you two had a falling out.’
‘That’s because we didn’t!’
‘Then why do you make that face whenever her name is mentioned or whenever you see her?’ she accuses.
‘What face? I don’t make a face.’
‘You do. You put on this weird, strained smile, like you’re royalty and you have to meet someone you don’t want to but all the cameras are pointing at you.’
‘What a specific analogy.’
‘It’s forced.’ Megan continues to watch my expression as I attempt not to move a muscle in my face. ‘You act polite but frosty around her, yet with Nico, you’re all, “Oh darling Nico, how grown up and gorgeous you are, remember all the memories, mwah, mwah.”’
I raise my eyebrows at the funny voice she’s put on and her over-the-top impression of me giving someone air kisses. She looks mighty smug at her attempt.
‘I do not act like that around Nico, thank you, and Françoise and I have not fallen out,’ I maintain haughtily. ‘I told you she helped me the other day and I told her about my diagnosis. We simply don’t know each other as well as we used to, that’s all.’
She sighs, almost disappointed. ‘It’s weird. I thought you admired her.’
I look at her in surprise, admittedly impressed at her observation. ‘I . . . I did. I do.’
‘Have you seen Mathieu at all? I know they’ve retired, but how come Françoise is here all the time helping Nico but Mathieu hasn’t even shown up to say hello. You would have thought he might if he knew we were here,’ Megan ponders aloud.
