Page 60 of Lost in Translation
Funny how both Charlotte and Ruth’s lives had changed so dramatically in a short space of time. Who would have guessed a year ago that Charlotte would be heading back to the UK minus her husband, while Ruth was totally loved-up with a new man and an even newer baby?
Thankfully, the boys had taken the split in their stride. Charlotte’s biggest fear of inflicting lasting damage on them seemed unfounded.
‘You don’t cuddle like you used to,’ said Robson, when Charlotte and Dom sat them down to break the news.
‘Does it mean you don’t love each other?’ added Alastair, his adorable face scrunched up in confusion.
His question ripped at Charlotte’s heart. Before she could reply, Dom took her hand — now stripped of engagement and wedding rings — and squeezed it.
‘We’ll always love each other, because we’ll always share you two. That will never change, no matter what happens.’ He looked at Charlotte with eyes that held a multitude of emotions. Sadness, regret, guilt, and perhaps a tinge of relief. Now that it was all out in the open, Dom could get on with his new life. Whether that included Amelie in the long-term remained to be seen. He’d moved in with her, albeit reluctantly, but a little bird had told Charlotte that the love nest was lined with thorns.
‘I don’t want to speak out of turn,’ said Juliette when she called Charlotte unexpectedly one day. ‘We all figured out what was going on — I’m so sorry — but Amelie is a force to be reckoned with. She is not my favourite person, and I hoped Dom would see sense. I think he tried, but she is very persuasive.’
Assuring Juliette that she didn’t blame her — although an earlier heads up would have been nice — Charlotte had ended the call. She’d liked most of Dom’s colleagues — with one notable exception — and understood their reluctance to interfere.
Pulling into the school gates, Charlotte smiled at the memory of her first encounter with Jürgen. OK, not with the man himself, but his Ferrari. A flash car was a flash car. What counted was the person behind the steering wheel.Dickhead,she’d thought. How wrong she’d been. Bracing herself, Charlotte parked, inhaled deeply and marched purposefully towards the chalet.
Chapter 50
‘I can’t believeyou’re leaving!’ Sadie flung her arms around Charlotte. ‘Although I still haven’t forgiven you for keeping schtum about Dom.’
Charlotte returned the hug, Alastair and Robson settling for fist bumps and high-fives with their friends. They’d emerged weighed down with artwork, jotters, and a selection of goodbye gifts from classmates.
‘I know, Sadie. I’m sorry, but it took me a long time to process it myself, and then I didn’t want to dump my woes on you. But thank you for being such a great friend.’
Pamela sidled up next to them, and Charlotte gave her a less enthusiastic hug.
‘It’s been nice knowing you,’ Pamela said. ‘I wish you all the best for the future.’
‘You will keep in touch, won’t you?’ Sadie added, as Miranda and Louise skipped into view. ‘I want to know all about your new life back in England, particularly’ — she leaned over and whispered in Charlotte’s ear — ‘when you meet a gorgeous new man.’
Before she could reply that meeting a new man was the last thing she needed, Charlotte’s stomach did an involuntary cartwheel. Jürgen was metres away, chatting to another dad. Snatching up the boys’ bags with one hand, she waved in the general direction of other parents she’d got to know in the past year. To shouts of ‘good luck’ and ‘take care’, she ushered Alastair and Robson down the path towards her car.
‘Mummy, look what Jodie gave us!’ Robson delved into a bag and produced a book entitledThe Everyday Vegan.
‘And our teachers gave us these.’ Alastair rummaged in another bag, forcing Charlotte to put down the cumbersome load. ‘We made them in secret last week.’
Charlotte swallowed hard as she looked at the two tea towels, each bearing hand-drawn pictures of their respective classmates, complete with names and scrawled messages.
‘That’s so lovely, and a great reminder of your time at La Montagne. Now, we need to hurry and get the car back home.’ A local dealer was collecting it in an hour, payment in cash.
‘Charlotte, wait!’
She turned, that achingly familiar voice inducing another internal belly flop. ‘Hi, Jürgen. It’s good to see you.’ And it was, it really was. Charlotte took in his immaculate appearance, at least clothing-wise. His face told a different story: tiredness mixed with sadness oozed from every pore.
‘And you, Charlotte. I wasn’t sure if I would see you. But I’m glad I didn’t miss you.’
Charlotte smiled, although she knew it was a feeble effort. ‘I’m glad too. I’m just sorry we have to rush off, but at least we get the chance to say goodbye.’
Jürgen’s intense eyes probed Charlotte’s. ‘Indeed, although I prefer the German or French versions, auf wiedersehen and au revoir, because they speak of meeting again.’
Charlotte had called Jürgen to tell him of their plans once she and Dom had hammered out the details. He’d replied with a simple:I wish you only good things, Charlotte. Always in my heart x
‘Thank you for everything. For listening, for being there for me, for helping me find the courage to…’ Charlotte’s voicewobbled. She glanced around for the boys, spotting them heading back to the chalet surrounded by more friends.
‘I did very little, Charlotte. And do not forget, you helped me too. To realise my heart is still open to finding true love again. When I meet the right woman…’
Charlotte saw the sad longing in his eyes, and wanted nothing more than to leap into his strong, supportive arms and cling on for eternity. Instead, she stepped back and collided with Marcus.
