Page 106 of The Last Kiss

“Because you don’t need me anymore.” There’s a sniffle from the other end of the line.

“I’ll always need you. You’re my sister. I’ve just got to live for a little while longer.”

A silence stretches between us. We both know that Dr Francis will have nothing to say that can help.

“Is it really bad?”

“What?”

“How you feel?”

“I’m just tired. Really, really tired. Like I’m stretching myself too far and can’t spring back into shape. Like baggy knicker elastic.”

“Enjoy it, Jules. If anyone deserves a happy ending it’s you.”

“I’ll see you soon. I promise I’m going to see you.”

“So, what happens now?”

I look up at the sun until it dries the trails of my tears. “Now I’m going to make him a coffee and tell him the truth.”

“Good luck,” she whispers. “And answer your goddamn phone.”

We hang up and I take a moment, breathing in the air, trying to stretch my lungs a little with the flower scents swirling around me. There’s a freshness preceding what looks like another storming hot day.

I’m making coffee when there is a clatter behind me. I pray it’s Henri and hope to fuck it’s not his mother, breathing out a relieved sigh when I see it’s Odile.

“Morning.” I smile. “Would you like a coffee?”

“Perfect. It was a late one, the guests didn’t want to go to bed.”

“Sorry if I’m distracting Henri from helping, although I get the impression he’s happier with his cows.”

She laughs and I wish it didn’t tinkle like fairies chiming together. “Henri is always happy with his cows.”

“Thank you so much for shopping for me yesterday.” I reach up into the cupboard and grab her out a cup. “It was very kind of you to go out of your way.”

“No problem, I knew the colour would suit your colouring.”

I watch as she takes her banana clip out of her hair and steps towards me. “Here, turn around.”

I do as she asks, pulling a ‘what the fuck’ face.

“You should wear your hair up like this.” She twists it and fixes it in place with the clip, leaving her own blonde mass falling around her shoulders. “Henri loves necks on show. He finds it irresistible.”

“Oh right, thanks for the tip.”

Okay, this is weird. Kind, I guess, but weird as hell.

My stomach drops as a little spark of truth flickers to life in my head. “How do you know?” I try to laugh it off, my exposed neck strangely uncomfortable.

“Of course, I know, I’m his wife.”

I turn slowly to face her.

“Well ex-wife I suppose.” She shrugs like she’s not quite sure but then sees my face, her own mouth popping open.

“Oh god. He hasn’t told you, has he?”