her coffee cup, then at Charlotte who was immersed in her book. Well, no matter what, she didn’t regret her decision to have Charlotte. She would never have been strong enough to face the alternative. That would have taken guts. Perhaps she had just been naïve in thinking Seb would have been pleased just because she was. Naïve in thinking they had a strong relationship too.
‘I hope I haven’t upset you,’ Ben said, invading her thoughts. ‘I’m not taking any sides here but in a situation like yours, isn’t it the case that you both have to do what is necessary and step up to the responsibility? Regardless of your feelings for one another.’
His lashes flickered down at her coffee cup. Of course she knew the answer – and she and Seb had both stepped up – but it left her with a question. Had they done what was right for them?
Rubbing his palms around his glass, he peered at her. ‘Again, you have to focus on what works for you.’ His lips curled into that comforting smile she found increasingly alluring. ‘I’d never have pushed myself without that philosophy. Like you, I’ve got one life and I plan to make the best of what I have.’
Evie remained quiet, scratching the back of her neck, those words resounding in her head again, “focus on what’s best for you”.
‘Anyway, I’m preventing you from this much sought-after research.’ Ben said easing out of his chair. ‘I’m afraid I have to go and wrap this up and move on, for now at least. We’re shooting up at the Malpas tunnel tomorrow.’
‘Oh, don’t let me stop you. Yes. I need to get on too,’ she said finishing her own drink.
Evie watched as Ben gave Charlotte’s cheek an affectionate stroke with his finger. He skirted the highchair and moved towards Evie, holding an arm out which she took to mean he was expecting her to stand to air-kiss goodbye. She got up obligingly, offering each cheek to his lips, rousing a rush of desire in her as she inhaled hues of spice. Feeling the blood race from her throat to her temples, she dropped her head to hide the embarrassment of her response, focusing her gaze on the empty glasses on the table until the shame vanished.
‘Oh, I’ll get the bill,’ she said reaching for her bag.
‘Absolutely not. These guys have been paid. We can’t expect them to lose money whilst we shoot. It’s been a joy to see you again. Hope the research goes well,’ he said with a wink as he marched away. She was like a plant that had been stuck in the shade, with brown crumbling foliage. But now she felt her leaves beginning to shoot upwards. She wondered if placed in the sunshine, she would allow herself to bloom.
Seb would never understand but Evie had never imagined she could suddenly be so happily consumed. The books she collected from the library expanded her knowledge of the canal and its visionary, Riquet. Although she had yet to reveal anything about the peasant women, she was getting hungrier to succeed in finding information and to rise to Ben’s challenge. Ben showed great faith in her and had given her the chance to prove to herself that she may still have that head for journalism.
Already, from her little island, totalling almost three years of isolation, with only her own head for company, Evie felt her shores were spreading. Humans were now etching footsteps on her sands. Not only had her friendship with Suzanne blossomed this last year but her sister was on her way and Ben was in her life. And, Ben was inviting her to explore something. Something deeper, which she’d imagined had withered and died. That innate passion to enquire and write. It wasn’t just the opportunity to work at something she would find fulfilling, he was also making her think about the very direction her life was taking.
As she sat at the front terrace waiting for her sister, sheltering from the sun’s glare and basking in a fresh whirling breeze, Evie wondered if she had been deluded in thinking she was the right one for Seb. Ben was quite perceptive and his view would be from the male perspective, so what he’d intimated could be spot on. She found that disturbing, and not something she wanted to face. At least not now. After all, Seb wouldn’t go to such lengths if he didn’t feel something for her. No, she was going to force Seb’s negative influence from her mind today and focus instead on what was right for her. Hopefully, that included Cally. She checked her watch, which seemed to be moving extremely slowly, and grasped her stomach as it gurgled and churned inside. Today would be a test for them both but she hoped they could find some common ground.
Yes, she would be careful. Cally, in her eyes, had been unpredictable and mean in the past, but if her sister had taken the first step to reunite, she would be gracious enough to accommodate her and hope that they could start afresh.
As planned, she had prepared Charlotte’s cake and left it baking in the oven. She checked her watch again and peered in the window to Charlotte sleeping on the sofa. It was then she heard the car approaching. She waved as she recognised the face behind the wheel of the Fiat and unlocked the gates, opening them wide and beckoning her sister in.
Cally dashed from the car, threw out her arms and held Evie tight. ‘Wow,’ Cally squealed, freeing Evie from her embrace and eyeing her up and down, ‘you look amazing, and I can’t remember the last time your eyes sparkled like they are now.’
Taking a deep breath and shrugging her shoulders, Evie beamed. ‘Thank you,’ she said, stepping back and searching her sister’s face for sincerity.’ ‘You look well too.’ Evie reached for her sister’s long chestnut hair. ‘It suits you.’
Cally reached for her sister’s hand, startling her. It was a first. ‘Look. I know we haven’t got on over the years, but like I said on the phone, we are grown up now, I’m sorry I was such a cow and, as long as you can forgive me, I thought it was time we made amends.’
With her free hand, Evie rubbed her ear. ‘I agree. That would be nice,’ she said, leading Cally towards the front door and feeling the squeeze from her sister’s hand. This wasn’t the Cally she remembered.
‘I know. I should have been more supportive. I was telling Mum yesterday, it is sad, we have become so divided as a family. I hope Mum and Dad will come and see you too. Where is Seb, by the way?’
‘Working.’
‘It won’t be easy, but I want to try and make peace there too.’
Evie wanted to pinch herself. Cally was really surprising her now. She knew how much her sister and parents had hated Seb. Although she had made the choice when she agreed to his offer to live in the south of France, he was the one who had divided them completely – insisting she have nothing to do with them if they wouldn’t help support her. Naivety had prevailed. She should have been more assertive instead of letting him dictate who she could see. After all, they had offered support and she could have gone to live with her parents when they had planned to move to the West Country, but she had genuinely believed she would be happy with Seb – building a future together.
Breathing out a big sigh, Evie said, ‘I can honestly say, this last week had been a total whirlwind. Despite starting with a near-death experience, my week has been the best ever.’
‘What? What near-death…?’
‘Come in. I’ll get us a drink and tell you about it.’ Evie beckoned her sister inside and followed her over the threshold.’
‘I forgot how gorgeous this place is. I can understand why you were so tempted.’
Evie cleared her throat. She didn’t feel comfortable talking about the past. ‘Actually, I still have some wine that Seb left here last week, it’s not too early is it?’
Evie led her sister down the hall.
‘Wine! You won’t hear me complain.’
‘I just need to keep an eye on the cake. It’s in the oven. Do you want to take your bags up?’
‘Good idea.’
‘First room on the left,’ Evie said, looking searchingly at her sister and thinking Cally had expanded a few