Page 49 of Lost in Translation
He returned moments later with two iced teas and a selection of mini millefeuilles.
‘That was quick,’ said Charlotte, spying the waitress still scuttling around the room, mopping up spills and scribbling on her notepad.
‘I am a very determined man, Charlotte,’ Jürgen replied, rolling up his pristine shirtsleeves. ‘When I want something, I generally get it.’ A broad wink and smile tempered the underlying arrogance of the remark, making Charlotte’s stomach flip-flop, and not in a feeling-sick way.
‘Now, please tell me what’s troubling you. I sensed before that you were unhappy, and seeing you unhappy makes me sad.’ Jürgen’s smile turned downwards, his eyes signalling concern.
‘It’s my husband, Dom,’ Charlotte stuttered. ‘Oh God, it’s so humiliating, but I think he’s having an affair with one of his colleagues.’ Saying it out loud to someone other than Ruth felt strange, almost as if she were being disloyal to Dom. How ridiculous, when he was the one cheating on her!
‘I’m so sorry, Charlotte.’ Jürgen reached for her hand and she gladly accepted his comforting grasp. ‘I know what it is like, as you know. I may not have been in love with Monica, but it still hurt, more so because of the effect on Marcus. Luckily, he is a resilient boy and quickly adapted to the change in circumstances.’
‘I think that’s what upsets me the most,’ said Charlotte. ‘If Domishaving an affair — if it’s serious — it would be like a wrecking ball for our family. We’d probably have to leave Switzerland and start all over again in the UK. It would be a bloody nightmare.’
As Charlotte’s eyes swam with tears, Jürgen moved closer. The buzz of conversation around them faded as she gazed at his kindly, handsome face. ‘You must not jump ahead, Charlotte, if that is the correct expression. Whatever the future holds, you will deal with it. You are stronger than you think, and I know you will find a way to make things good for you and your wonderful boys. Now, perhaps you should tell me why you believe your husband is seeing someone else.’
Without going into too much detail, Charlotte described finding the business card all those months ago, how Dom would disappear for late-night meetings and secretive phone calls, and Amelie’s behaviour at their party. She ended with Alicia’s assertion that she’d spotted Dom entangled with Amelie at the yoga retreat, but skipped the part about him claiming to be with his parents. That made Charlotte feel like a complete idiot, and she didn’t want Jürgen to question her lack of intelligence.
‘It sounds bad, Charlotte, but the only one who can give you answers is Dom. Considering what Alicia told you, I suggest you find a quiet moment to talk. Based on what you said, he may try to find an excuse, but please stand your ground.’
Try as she might, Charlotte couldn’t imagine Dom squirming his way out of what Alicia had witnessed.
‘Ooh, forgot to mention that Ameliehappenedto be at the retreat too — total coincidence — and then she accidentally tripped and fell and got all tangled up around my body! Ha ha! All totally innocent.’
‘ You do not have to answer this, but … do you love him?’ Jürgen’s gentle voice broke through Charlotte’s thoughts. ‘Whether he is guilty or innocent, do you still love him?’
Aware of the waitress hovering within earshot, Charlotte shook her head. ‘I don’t … I mean, I do… Sorry, could we maybe go for a walk?’
Leaving their drinks and cakes barely touched, Charlotte and Jürgen left the café and wandered through the cobbled streets of Vevey’s old town. They headed to the lakeside, dodging cyclists and pram-pushers along the way. Finding a shady spot near where they’d had ice creams with the boys, they perched on a low wall. The lake glittered in the sunshine, and one of the stately paddle steamers sailed majestically by.
‘I guess things haven’t been great between us for a while,’ said Charlotte, gazing out over the water. ‘Since finding the card from Amelie — that’s her name. Even though Dom came up with an excuse for it. To be honest, it probably started before that. The card just drove a deeper wedge between us, and moving here didn’t help, especially when Dom failed to tell meshe’dmoved here too.’
‘Have you spoken to anyone else? Perhaps your friend Sadie, or your parents?’
Charlotte shook her head. ‘I’ve only told my best friend Ruth in the UK, but she’s got a lot on her plate right now, so I don’t want to burden her too much. And my parents live in Florida, and they’d just get upset and fret.’
Jürgen cleared his throat and gently turned Charlotte round to face him. ‘It seems you put everyone else’s needs first, Charlotte. You should be your top priority, and that includes deciding what makes you happy. If Dom is seeing another woman, he does not respect you. And you deserve so much more than that.’
Charlotte’s lip wobbled at Jürgen’s kindness. It seemed an eternity ago since she’d thought him an arrogant petrolhead. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on that subject.
‘What if I’ve neglected Dom? I’m so devoted to Alastair and Robson that perhaps I’ve driven him into the arms of someone else—’
‘Stop right there.’ Jürgen pressed a finger to Charlotte’s mouth and for the briefest of moments she imagined it was his lips. That thought absolutely wasn’t helpful or appropriate in the circumstances. ‘Every mother — well, almost — devotes herself to her children. It is the most important job in the world, and any husband or partner who resents that is a fool. Do not blame yourself, Charlotte. You have done nothing wrong.’
Charlotte quickly checked her phone. No messages or missed calls. Not that she had any intention of dashing back to Dom. Let him look after the boys for a bit longer.
‘But I don’t reallydoanything, Jürgen.’ Charlotte fiddled with a loose thread on her jumper. ‘I don’t have a job, or any real hobbies apart from reading and walking. I feel like I’ve drifted through the past ten years without a purpose. And now I’m letting my husband walk all over me, like the pathetic doormat I am.’
A solitary tear trickled down Charlotte’s cheek. She swiped it away, embarrassed at her words. And the fact that they were painfully true.
‘Charlotte, listen to me.’ Jürgen gently moved her hand away from the thread that was rapidly turning into a hole. ‘You are much too hard on yourself. Moving to a new country and building a life there is not easy, particularly when so much is uncertain right now.’
Charlotte blinked back more tears. ‘But I’m so scared of what might happen if we split up. I’m afraid I’ll fall and never get up again.’
Charlotte stood, her bottom uncomfortably numb from the cold stone wall. She needed to go, grab some groceries and head for home. Taking a step forward, she almost collided with a rollerblading gentleman who must have been well into his eighties. He whizzed by with effortless grace and astonishing speed as Charlotte gawped in amazement.
‘I tried that once, and fell over about twenty times,’ she said, chuckling. ‘The boys thought it was funnier than any cartoon.’
Jürgen rested his hands on her shoulders and fixed her with his mesmerising eyes. ‘I’d teach you, Charlotte. And I promise, I’d never let you fall.’
