Page 7 of Under A Sicilian Sky
‘No… well, he didn’t say he had. Just… just asked me to leave.’ She cleared her throat, determined not to waste any further tears on the shallow man she thought she would be spending her life with. ‘Valerie mentioned booking me into the Four Seasons, so maybe I can bring that forward. Failing that, I can phone around and find something else. Can you wait whilst I do?’
He shook his head. ‘Non. Absolument pas.’
Her heart sank for what must have been the hundredth time in the last twenty-four hours. ‘Oh… I see. I know it’s late, please forgive me. Just drop me at a motel and—’
‘Sorry, non, you misunderstand. You will come home with me. My wife is happy to meet you.’
She gasped. ‘Oh, no, Philippe, I couldn’t intrude.’
‘C’est bon. No one will expect you to go there, so it’s safe, yes?’ He smiled and she wanted to hug him.
‘Thank you so, so much. I’ll find somewhere for tomorrow, I promise. I’ll check what Valerie has arranged. I won’t outstay my welcome,’ she insisted as she climbed into the car.
‘You will stay as long as you need. Ce n’est pas un problème… It is no problem to me. Excuse me, I have been speaking to my mother at home in Lyon today and I slip into French all the time.’ He rolled his eyes and laughed before climbing into the driver’s seat. She didn’t mind the French at all; she could’ve listened to him all night. She settled back into her seat and as the car pulled away, she felt her muscles relax for the first time in twenty-four hours.
After around forty minutes, the car came to a halt on the driveway of an attractive suburban home, on a wide treelined street. The tree branches were weighed down with the recent snowfall, making the image look too festive for the month of February, but beautiful all the same.
Philippe came around and opened her door. ‘It’s quiet, everyone is sleeping, so you are safe. No one will see.’ He held out his hand and she took it to climb out.
‘You live in a lovely area, Philippe,’ she whispered.
‘Oui, Jericho is very pleasant. Not too close to the crazy city.’ He laughed. ‘Come on inside.’
She pulled her coat close around her body and followed him up a few steps to the front door. It was opened before he could insert his key in the lock. A beautiful brunette woman wearing pyjamas and a fluffy robe beamed at them from the hallway.
‘I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve met you, Miss Locke. Welcome to our home. Please, come on in.’
Ruby stepped inside and shook the woman’s offered hand. ‘Oh goodness, please call me Ruby. And thank you so much for having me to stay. It’s all very… I don’t really know what to call the situation I’m in without swearing.’
The woman leaned in conspiratorially. ‘It’s after midnight and the twins are in bed, so swear if you feel the need. Although they could probably teach you some new words. I’m Jessica by the way. Philippe has told me so much about you.’
Ruby smiled but felt a familiar flush rising from her chest. ‘Oh heck, I won’t ask what he’s said. Especially not under the current circumstances.’
Philippe put an arm around his wife. ‘I’ve told Jess that you are innocent, because you are.’ He shrugged as if he was stating the obvious.
Jessica shook her head. ‘How anyone could think otherwise is beyond me. Now, come on and let me get you a drink. Are you hungry? Can I cook something for you?’
Ruby held up her hand. ‘You’re so kind and I’m very grateful but… would you mind awfully if I just went to bed? I’m exhausted. And it’s so late, you must be tired too.’
Jessica nodded. ‘Of course, you must be wiped out. I’ll show you to the guest room. But if you need anything at all just holler, okay?’
Ruby followed her hosts along a corridor, admiring family photos as she passed. She hadn’t realised Philippe had teenage children. She felt guilty for not enquiring more about his personal life.
Jessica stopped at an open door and gestured inside. ‘Well, here you are. There’s a bathroom just through the door in the corner and fresh towels on the bed. Sleep as late as you want, after all, tomorrow is Sunday. Or should I say today. Sweet dreams.’ She turned to walk away, but Ruby grabbed her hand.
‘Thank you. I can’t express how much this means to me. Your kindness… it’s…’ She swallowed, trying to dislodge the ball of emotion in her throat.
Jessica pulled her into a hug. ‘Honey, you don’t deserve any of this. And Tyler Harrison doesn’t deserve you. I couldn’t believe it when Philippe told me what he’d done. Just goes to show fame doesn’t cultivate humility, even if the folks appear to do good.’
Ruby smiled. ‘That’s so true. Thank you again.’
In spite of the late hour, she fired a quick text to Valerie to let her know where she was staying. Almost immediately there was a reply.
Suite on hold at Four Seasons as soon as you need. Will be in touch later when I’m awake! Flowers delivered to my office for you today with the message, ‘I still love you, H’. Who is H? Stay strong. Val.
Ruby wracked her brains trying to think who H could be but came up blank.
Sleep evaded her. This had felt like the longest Saturday she had ever known and when she did eventually nod off, she was promptly awoken by arguing teenagers.
