Page 71 of Perfect Liar
At our table, I sat quietly, exploring the charming décor, while Will and his brothers talked about logging the estate’s trees earlier than usual or something like that.
In addition to the tables, the pub had cozy snugs with dark leather seating. The manager had painted the walls and the wooden floorboards black. Reclaimed wood finished the bar. Original fireplaces, also painted black, anchored each end of the pub.
Works by local artists covered the walls.
Daily newspapers and books covered several side tables.
I thought about Nick’s and the similarities. About the old Victorian house where I’d grown up. My father’s house. I thought about the beach house at Lords Point that I loved so much. About the art studio. And the children I should’ve been teaching.
I remembered the stars over the open waters of the Atlantic.
But even after all that, I realized I didn’t really miss home…because I was too busy falling in love with England, where reminders of abandonment and heartbreak grew distant.
In Connecticut, the reminders would be front and center, always.
Looking for reassurance, I cuddled against Will’s side.
He leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose.
“You’re reflecting quite a lot today.”
“I’m…yes, I guess so. I think I’m happy here, Will.”
Satisfied with my conclusion, he smiled, but then a seriousness chased it away.
“Elle, say you’ll stay. I want to hear you say it.”
“I’ll stay,” I whispered.
He brushed his lips over mine.
“And you’ll tell me if you ever have other ideas.”
“Yes.”
“Good. Let’s go home.”
“Oh. You need to start for London soon?”
He shook his head, and his smile came back.
“No, I’ll fly in tomorrow. I can’t sleep apart from you tonight.”
But then his gaze jerked to the yellow envelope put in front of him by our server.
“What the hell is this?”
“I don’t know, sir. A man paid me fifty pounds to take it to you.”
“Show me,” Will commanded.
“I can’t. He just left out the back door.”
Ben flew to the back door and burst outside. Seconds later, he returned and shook his head that it was too late…the man disappeared into the festival crowd.
Will didn’t say anything…his well-known calm before the storm had kicked in.
He quietly opened the envelope and took out two photos. They showed him carrying me from the plane, flanked by Thomas, Ethan, John, and Ben. An obvious protection detail.