Chapters (75)
I can barely face going back to the chalet, but can hardly stay away forever. I sneak in the back door and creep up to our room. Shrugging off my sodden outer clothes, I lie down on the bed and shut my eyes tight.
A while later the bedroom door opens.
‘Darling?’ Hugo sits down on the bed. ‘Thank God you’re back. I was worried about you, out in this weather. How’re you feeling?’
I open my eyes. ‘Not brilliant. I’ve got a raging migraine and feel totally exhausted.’ I sigh. ‘Perhaps I’m coming down with something. I’m sorry about earlier. I needed to be … by myself.’
Hugo pats my leg absentmindedly. ‘That’s OK – I’m glad you’re back safe and sound. Though I still think you shouldn’t have gone out in this weather, especially if you’re not feeling well,’ he scolds, though good-naturedly. I feel a rare pang of love for him. Poor Hugo. He deserves so much better than me.
‘Are you coming down for dinner?’ he continues. ‘Millie wants to know.’
I’m famished, but there’s no way I’m going downstairs and sitting through dinner with the dead man’s brother. I may not be able to put off meeting him the whole time I’m here, but there’s no way I can face it today.
I’ve barely been able to think about anything else since I found out he was coming, fretting about what to do. Avoid him? Come clean? Or smile sweetly and hope for the best?
Cameron is right, of course. I don’t remember what he looks like. Chances are he won’t recognize us. But even if he doesn’t, I still know that we killed his brother. I can’t just sit at the same table as him, making polite conversation.
I sit myself up, trying to look weak. ‘I think I’d rather stay up here, if you don’t mind. But perhaps you could ask Millie to send me up some soup or something? I wouldn’t mind something simple to eat, but I’m not really up to sitting at the dinner table.’
He kisses my forehead. ‘Of course. I’m sure she won’t mind. I’ll miss you though.’
I squeeze his hand. ‘That’s sweet, Hugo. I’ll miss you too.’ I almost mean it.