Follow Your Star, Jennifer Bohnet [best fiction novels to read txt] 📗

less and Nanette dreaded the thought of losing contact with Vanessa and the twins simply because she refused to go to Monaco and face up to her past.

The smell of freshly percolating coffee greeted Nanette as she made her way down to the kitchen on Sunday morning.

Patsy was busy pushing sprigs of rosemary and cloves of garlic into a large leg of lamb ready to roast for lunch.

‘Hi. Did you sleep well? The twins are helping Bryan feed the baby calves. Help yourself to coffee. You know where the cereals are. There’s plenty of bread for toast. I’d offer you bacon and eggs but I can’t stand the smell of bacon cooking at the moment.’

‘Coffee and toast will be just fine. I’ll do the vegetables for lunch afterwards, shall I?’ Nanette asked.

‘Thanks. Helen always insists on bringing the dessert so I don’t have to worry she says. More like she doesn’t like my pastry! I thought we could go for a walk after lunch – maybe take the twins down to the lake. Helen always likes Bryan to take her on a tour of the farm on Sunday afternoons like they used to when Albert was alive.’ Patsy sighed.

‘Honestly, Nanette, sometimes I could strangle the woman, but she does mean well I suppose. I thought when she finally moved out things would be better. She’d get an independent life again. Leave Bryan and me to our own devices a bit more.’ Patsy shook her head. ‘But nothing’s really changed. She’s still here every day on some pretence or other. And Sunday lunch up here every week has become something of a ritual. Not sure how I’m going to cope with the “grandmotherly” advice that is sure to be heaped on me. That’s why I need you here as an ally when junior arrives.’ Patsy glanced at her sister. ‘Any closer to deciding what you’re going to do?’

Nanette shook her head.

‘No. Maybe the walk this afternoon will clear my head and I’ll be able to think straight.’

Helen arrived just as Patsy placed the roast in the Rayburn and immediately queried whether it would be cooked in time.

‘I always had the meat in that range by ten o’clock at the latest. Ready for lunch at one on the dot. Still you young things abhor routines, don’t you? Mind you, once the baby arrives you’ll soon change your tune.’

‘Helen, it’s lovely to see you again,’ Nanette said quickly before Patsy could respond to her mother-in-law’s criticisms. ‘How’s life in your new home?’

‘Different to what I’ve been used to, but I’m settling in nicely, thank you. Once Bryan finishes off a couple more little jobs I’ll be really organized. Ready to devote my time to helping Patsy with the new addition.’

Helen slanted a look at Nanette.

‘And you? Your memory back to normal now?’ she asked briskly. ‘I saw a picture in one of the Sunday papers recently of – oh what’s his name? Your ex fiancé anyway. Had a blonde on his arm. Said something about them getting married. Zachary – that’s his name.’

‘I saw that photo too,’ Nanette said quietly. ‘As for my memory, I still have no recollection of certain things people tell me happened – maybe it’s for the best,’ she added, forcing a smile in Helen’s direction. ‘If you’ll excuse me I’ll just go check on the twins.’

Leaving the kitchen, Nanette mouthed an apologetic, ‘Sorry – I’ll see you later’, at Patsy before closing the kitchen door behind her.

After a slightly strained lunch, Nanette, Patsy and the twins went for their planned walk down to the lake at the far end of the farm.

‘I’m sorry Helen assumed your memory had returned to normal,’ Patsy said quietly. ‘And mentioned you-know-who. I know you find both difficult to cope with.’

Nanette shook her head wearily. ‘Don’t worry. I wish my memory of that afternoon would return, but I’m beginning to believe it never will now. As for Zac, well, I can’t hide from news about him for ever.’

Opening a heavy farm gate so that Patsy didn’t have to climb over as the twins had done, Nanette said to her sister, ‘Actually I think Helen’s comments have helped me make up my mind. I can’t run from the past for ever, so’ – she took a deep breath – ‘I’m going to tell Vanessa yes I will go to Monaco. At least Mathieu will be around if there are any problems with the twins and he’ll be a friend for me too.’

Nanette could feel the wind tearing at her face as she frantically skied faster and faster down the mountainside. Adrenalin flowed through her veins as she heard the noise of the avalanche behind her gathering speed, devouring everything in its way. Her lungs forced a terror-stricken scream into the air. She couldn’t die like this, she…!

‘Nanette, Nanette, wake up. You’re having one of your nightmares,’ Patsy shook her gently.

A shudder went through Nanette’s body as she came to.

‘Here, have a sip.’ Patsy handed her a glass of water. ‘What was it this time? Another monster breaking into the house? An earthquake?’

Nanette shook her head. ‘No. I was caught up in an avalanche.’ She took a sip of the water as Patsy regarded her thoughtfully.

‘It’s been ages since you’ve had a nightmare.’

Nanette nodded. ‘I know. I was hoping they’d finally finished,’ she said, her body still racked with shakes. ‘The therapist was saying only last week that it was a good sign I’d gone for so long without one. Wonder what interpretation she’ll put on tonight’s little episode?’ Nanette added through chattering teeth.

‘The stress of planning the wedding? Or maybe the thought of returning to Monaco?’ Patsy said, giving her sister a concerned glance. ‘Are you cold? Shall I get you a hot water bottle?’

‘No, thanks. I’ll snuggle back under the duvet in a moment and I’ll soon warm up,’ and Nanette smiled at her sister. ‘You go back to bed. Remember your condition. Don’t want you with dark circles under your eyes tomorrow,