but it wouldn’t fall off unless she shook her hands vigorously. It looked good there. It looked right.
‘You are happy?’ Guy asked, looking up at her, still on his knees.
‘Yes. I am. Very happy.’ She pulled him towards her and kissed his lips. At that moment, she’d never been happier.
She was still looking at the ring as they drove into the campsite. Guy stopped the van and along with the engine, everything silenced.
‘I have this planned before I meet you. I was going alone, then with Luc when he arrive and now…’ He put his hand to her head, stroked her hair with his thumb. ‘I just need this last week and I will have enough money to begin.’
She leaned across the seat and caught his lips with hers, kissing him. He deepened the kiss and she clung to him.
‘I will look after you, Emma. And you must still study. I will work,’ he told her.
‘I don’t want to leave you tonight,’ she said, groaning in annoyance.
‘You must. Your father, he will be concerned,’ Guy said.
‘I love you.’
‘I love you.’
She wrapped her arms around him and held his body close, breathing in the aroma of lemon, champagne and sea breeze.
‘Goodnight,’ she said, opening the door of the van.
‘Bonne nuit,’ he responded.
The campsite was so quiet at this time. Just the hum of the insects in the bushes and the glow of the path-lighting lamps disturbed the night. Before she reached her tent she could hear voices and see activity. There were torches and a group of people. Was that a policeman? Oh, God! Had her dad called the police?
Her instinct was to hide and run from this awkward situation but she decided it would only make it worse. He was obviously worried about her. She should have called him.
‘Emma! Oh my God, Emma! She’s here! She’s here!’
Mike greeted her with a bear hug usually reserved for a returning war hero. He squeezed her so tight she couldn’t breathe.
‘I’m sorry I’m late. I lost track of time and…’ She surveyed the people looking at her. Campsite security, the woman from three tents along and the lifeguard with the tattoos. No police.
‘I’m sorry everyone, for causing a panic but all’s well that ends well, eh?’ Mike suggested to the search party.
‘I’m really tired, Dad. I’m going to go to bed,’ Emma said, unzipping the door of the tent.
Listening to her father apologise again for inconveniencing everyone in the middle of the night, she looked at the ring on her left hand. What was she really going to do? She couldn’t actually tell her dad, could she? He wouldn’t believe her. He wouldn’t understand how she felt about Guy. No, it was best to keep it a secret… and just disappear.
Chapter Forty-One
Present Day
‘He’s asleep already. I think football, fresh air and giant portions of food have knocked him out,’ Emma said, returning to the living room.
They’d stopped for more food and drinks on the way home from the football stadium. Dominic had eaten nachos followed by pasta carbonara, then ice cream.
She stopped by the door, didn’t move any further into the room when she saw Chris was standing up. Usually he would have flicked on the TV, thrown his coat over a chair and be sitting on the sofa channel-hopping through the sports networks.
‘Listen, Em, I’m going to head off.’
His voice sounded a bit on edge, not normal. His hands were in the pockets of his jacket. It was almost as if he didn’t want to be near her.
‘What’s wrong, Chris?’ she asked. He couldn’t know. How could he know?
He made a noise in answer to her question. A strangulated sound she’d never heard before. The next time he looked at her, his eyes had a definite sheen to them. She didn’t know how to respond.
‘I saw you at the football… with Guy Duval,’ he stated.
What did that mean exactly? What had he seen? Could she deny it? Why did she want to deny it? She needed to end the relationship, didn’t she? What should she say?
Instead of saying anything she burst into tears, overwhelmed with a feeling of desperation, humiliation and treachery. She reached for the armchair and steadied herself.
‘Oh, Emma,’ Chris said, moving towards her.
As she wept uncontrollably he wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back and comforting her. She didn’t deserve this. He didn’t deserve this. She had cheated on him and he was holding her, soothing her tears. It wasn’t right. She stepped back from his embrace, wiping