Page 35 of Twin Flames
She’d thought women weak who behaved in this way. She would never be like that, or so she had believed. Now she had a new compassion for the poor souls whose hearts had been enslaved to the point where they couldn’t eat, sleep or think about anything or anyone else.
She’d been infatuated with James, her first love, and had been sure he wasthe one.Now it was evident that what they had shared had been nothing compared to this all-consuming desire to be with George. Sometimes it was like a curse, and she wished they had never met. Her life had been dull and bland before that day in the bookshop, but at least she wasn’t heartsick.
She picked up her phone and called Sylvia, who scheduled her in for the next available appointment. She would be able to talk to someone about her travels to Tudorville, as she called it fondly, and her feelings for George. Sylvia was the only person she could trust in this madness. The time travel was wacky. She knew it was happening, even though it was surreal to think of it, but the intensity of the pain in her heart about George was unbearable. She was despondent. Conflicting thoughts cycled round her head, competing for her attention, day and night. She had given up trying to justify her state of mind. Their last conversation replayed itself in her head throughout each day, ever since George told her he was leaving. She wished she could somehow turn that conversation off.
He had phoned late one night a few days earlier, and after a bit of light banter, he said, ‘I’m not used to feeling this way. I’ve never felt the way I do about you. I don’t know what to do.’
A rush of intense love flooded her being, and the relief was palpable after a stressful day of doubt and indecision.
It’s going to be okay.
He continued, ‘I can’t tell Joanna. I don’t know how.’ His voice faltered. ‘Jane is in her final year at school and has exams soon. It doesn’t seem right to leave now.’
‘I see,’ said Cara. ‘Yes, of course.’ Disappointment crushed her short-lived elation. Bile rose in her throat, her stomach flipped and she felt sick.
‘I’m going to the London office in a couple of days. There’s so much going on as a result of the manuscriptpublicity.Themedia is going bonkers about all things Tudor, and people who wouldn’t usually consider it, are commissioning work like crazy. The BBC has asked to interview me at Hampton Court Palace.’
‘How wonderful,’ said Cara. She fell silent, reeling at the implication of him not leaving Joanna and instead leaving for London.
‘The publicity will be great for your work too,’ he said.
‘Yes, yes, I suppose it will.’ She didn’t care; it was little consolation. Knowing he was nearby had given her hope.
After a pause, she asked, ‘How long will you be away?’
‘I don’t know. It depends how it all goes.’
‘Will you be going alone?’ Her heart pounded as she awaited his reply.
‘Yes. We have a small team permanently based at the London branch, although I may ask my assistant to accompany me.’
Cara’s mood turned darker at the thought of a glamorous assistant working side by side with him in London. She’d never been the jealous type, but recently she saw a new edge to her nature which both surprised and alarmed her.
Is he going to London to put distance between us?
CHAPTER 11
York, present day
Cara sat at her desk, trying to focus on a client proposal. She was agitated and still couldn’t get George’s words out of her mind. He was going to London today. He hadn’t told Joanna he was leaving her, and he didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so, any time soon.
He’d sensed Cara was upset the previous evening and said, ‘Don’t be sad. We’ll talk every day. I’ll phone you tomorrow.’
She tried to be positive but was tempted to rip the plaster off and just end the relationship. What was the point? She sat for hours, unable to motivate herself to move as she stared into space, filled with dread. Then she rose from her chair, picked up her phone and sent George a message.
‘I don’t think we should stay in touch if you’re not going to tell Joanna. It makes no sense. I can’t do it. I hope London goes well. I’m sorry. x’
Barely two minutes passed before her phone rang.
‘Hello,’ she said.
‘I’m on my way to London. What are you talking about? Why would you say that?’
He’s upset.
It wasn’t his fault they were in this mess. It had come at them from nowhere, but she was angry at his lack of action to get them out of it.
‘I don’t see the point of us talking every day if we’re not going to be together. It will only make it harder on us both. If you want to stay with Joanna, then I think it’s best all-round if we call it a day.’
