Page 45 of Never Too Late
Ashok stood as we approached the table, his gaze flicking momentarily to Gabby before focusing intently back on me.
‘Is everything all right? I sent out a discreet search party and was assured you were in good hands but still…’
‘Yes. I’m so sorry for leaving you for so long! It was just…’ I looked at Gabby and began to laugh again, unable to think of any words to finish the sentence. I wasn’t sure what it was at the moment apart from… wondrous!
He waved away the apology. ‘So long as everything is OK.’
‘Perfectly. Ashok, I’d like you to meet Gabby.’
His eyes flicked to me, recognition of the name flashing in them. I knew he would remember her from the stories I had regaled him with on our evenings out in Goa when he had asked me about Paris.
‘Yes. That Gabby,’ I beamed and answered the unasked question.
‘Ooh la la! It sounds like I have a reputation already. I only hope I can live up to it.’ She shook Ashok’s hand.
‘Somehow, I don’t doubt that for a second.Enchanté.’
My gaze flicked from one to the other. There had been no romantic spark between me and Ashok but right now, I could practically see a bonfire evening’s worth leaping between the two of them.
‘We were about to have some tea when I so rudely abandoned Ashok. Would you be able to join us? Sorry, in all the excitement and blubbing, I completely forgot to ask if you were here with someone!’
‘And I completely forgot I was!’ She laughed as she spoke, her eyes drifting back to Ashok.
‘It would be lovely if you could join us,’ he enthused. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you.’
‘Then I really should and put the record straight,’ she replied, her smile still wide.
‘Believe me. It’s all been good things.’
She stuck out a hip. ‘I should think so.’ Her smiled faded a little. ‘As much as I would love to, I’m not sure it will be possible this evening.’
‘But Ashok’s leaving tomorrow,’ I told her. From the corner of my eye, I saw him cast a glance at me.
‘Oh.’ Her face fell. Gabby had never done the aloof Parisian thing naturally. Certainly, she could turn it on when she felt like it but her natural personality was open and warm. The disappointment showing on her features was no act.
‘If you have company, they are, of course, welcome also,’ Ashok added, clearly keen to find a way to continue their acquaintance.
Gabby suddenly looked uncharacteristically tense, her eyes darting to me. And I knew.
‘Gabby?’ The voice was deep, smooth and ridiculously sexy. Despite not having heard it for nearly three decades, I’d have known it anywhere. Tomas.
20
And of course,of course, in all the time I could have run into him, it had to be tonight.
Gabby and I both turned. I saw shock register in Tomas’s eyes before they flicked to Ashok and darkened with anger.
‘Kitty?’ There was so much more contained in that one word than I could even begin to put into words but somehow, I understood all of it immediately.
‘Kitty, you remember my brother, Tomas?’
I shifted my bruised eyes to her, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Gabby, in turn, had an uncertain expression on her face. After all, how did you introduce the once love of someone’s life to them after a gap of thirty years, especially when it had all ended so badly?
‘I do, yes,’ I replied, almost automatically, my mind still running round in circles, trying to decide which emotion to pick. ‘Hello, Tomas.’
‘Hello, Kitty.’ God, I’d always loved the way he’d said my name and it turned out, from the suddenly squishy feeling in my stomach, that, at least, hadn’t changed. The sensible part of my brain strutted over and gave me a kick and I gave an almost physical start.
‘Kitty and I ran into each other by the bathroom! Isn’t that incredible? They’ve asked us to join them for coffee. We do havesomuch to catch up on. This is Kitty’s friend, Ashok. Ashok, this my brother, Tomas.’
