Page 48 of A French Affair
Anouk was in the conservatory when she got downstairs. ‘You’re looking very glamorous tonight. Scott is going to have a ’ard time getting on that plane,’ she said with a twinkle in her eye.
‘But we both know that get on it he will,’ Fern said quietly.
Anouk nodded. ‘You do like him, don’t you?’
Fern nodded. ‘I do.’ There, she’d finally admitted it out loud.
‘So you must enjoy this evening, make ’appy memories to tide you over until he returns. Because he will, I know.’ Anouk smiled.
‘Belinda will be here soon to keep you company,’ Fern said. ‘I hope she’s ready for anything you might have to tell her. I’ve left a small supper tray out in the kitchen and a bottle of wine. Ah, I can hear Scott coming. I’ll see you later.’
As the two of them were getting into Scott’s car, Belinda drove in.
‘Anouk’s waiting for you in the conservatory,’ Fern called out.
‘Have a good evening you two,’ Belinda answered. ‘Scott, it’s been a pleasure to meet you. Hope to see you again sometime.’
‘Oh you will definitely see me again,’ Scott assured her as he closed his car door.
Fern glanced across at him. He sounded so sure, so confident that he would return, she would have to trust he would.
Scott turned to look at her before he started the car. ‘Am I allowed to tell you that you look beautiful tonight? Because you do.’
Fern smiled. ‘Thank you. You’re looking very smart too. Where are we going?’
‘I found a small family-run restaurant in Carhaix that sounds as if it could be good. Lots of positive reviews on TripAdvisor anyway. To be honest, I just want to spend the evening with you. I don’t really care what the food is like, probably won’t be up to your standard anyway,’ he said, grinning at her. ‘In which case, I apologise in advance.’
When Scott turned onto the N164, Fern caught her breath.It will be all right, she muttered to herself.It’s the quickest way to Carhaix. It’s not the same stretch. You’re not driving. Just take deep breaths. She closed her eyes but sensed Scott glancing across at her.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked.
‘I’m not very good on this road. I’ll be fine when we get to town,’ Fern replied, deciding to be honest.
‘Why this road? Oh,’ Scott said as he realised the problem. ‘I’m sorry. It didn’t occur to me. This is the road I’ve been using since I’ve been here.’
‘It’s not your fault, Scott. But maybe I can show you a different route when we go home.’ So much for wanting Scott to have special memories of her and the evening. He’d forever remember her now as the woman who almost had a panic attack in his car.
The rest of the journey passed in silence as Fern concentrated on her breathing and Scott on his driving. Parking in the main street, Scott took her hand as they made their way down a narrow lane towards the restaurant he’d chosen.
‘Good choice,’ Fern whispered as he pushed open the door and they were greeted by the maître d’. The table they were shown to was in a secluded corner, with candles in sconces on the walls alongside and a bowl of floating candles surrounded by red rose heads had been placed in the centre of the white tablecloth.
Scott ordered Kir royale aperitifs for them both while they looked at the menu. Once they’d given their orders and the large menus had been whisked away, Scott picked up his Kir and held it out for her to clink glasses. ‘Here’s to us,’ he said. ‘And to the future I hope we’ll have.’
Fern gave him a tremulous smile. ‘To our future.’
They chattered away like old friends over the course of the evening, when in fact they were new friends finding out about each other and liking what they learnt.
After their main course was finished, steak for Scott and lamb for Fern, Scott took a small package out of his pocket and, placing it on the table, pushed it towards Fern.
‘I bought you something. I hope you like it and when you wear it, you’ll think of me while I’m away.’
Fern’s fingers trembled as she opened the small box she found inside the package. When she saw the contents, she looked at Scott and laughed. ‘I love it. Thank you,’ and she took the silver pendant of a Scottish Highland terrier out of the box and fastened it around her neck. ‘Now I’ve got two Scotties.’
Scott reached across the table and picked her hand up. ‘I will come back as soon as I can – you will wait, won’t you?’
Fern felt her heart skip a beat as Scott looked deep into her eyes, almost willing her to answer. Did she like this man enough to do as he asked and wait for him to return? Deep down she already knew the answer.
‘Yes of course I will.’ As Fern smiled at him, she saw Scott give a deep sigh of relief.
