Page 43 of A Sky Full of Stars
Tristan leaned back in his chair as if he was trying to lessen the sudden intensity of the conversation. ‘I suppose you’re right,’ he said. ‘My, er, my parents had that once-in-a-lifetime thing: they met at university, when they were both studying something they loved, and for them, the stars just seemed to align.’ He gave a laugh. ‘Sorry, I’m back to speaking in clichés again!’
‘With that kind of an example, it’s easy to assume that all relationships work that way,’ Charlotte replied. ‘I’ve never been able to imagine my parents at that passionate, carefree stage. I know they love each other, but it’s a quieter form of love: they’re best friends more than husband and wife, I suppose. I’ve never heard them argue, in front of me, not once.’
‘You’ve had a lifetime of watching that relationship, though,’ Tristan observed. Then, obviously realising how wistful he sounded about his own situation, he cracked a mischievous grin. ‘Perhaps, back in the day, they were the plate-throwing, devil-may-care, wildly passionate types!’
Charlotte laughed. ‘I can’t see it somehow! If you ever meet them, you’ll know exactly what I mean!’
Tristan moved forward again and reached for one of Charlotte’s hands. ‘I’d like to, one day, if you want to introduce me to them.’
There was no mistaking the emotion in his eyes and Charlotte wondered whether there was a more permanent place for Tristan in her life. With Todd she’d never really felt as though their future was assured, but sitting here with Tristan, seeing the look on his face, and spending time with him felt different, felt right. Chiding herself inwardly for taking too many steps down that path, she gave his hand a squeeze. ‘Maybe I will, one day.’
Charlotte paused, considering what else she should say. Perhaps, since Tristan had so casually referred to his former girlfriend, now was the time to bring up the fact that her ex was actually in Lower Brambleton at this moment. ‘My, er, my ex-boyfriend grew up in Georgia, in the USA,’ she began tentatively. ‘He was someone who really loved to eat. I don’t think he ever quite got over the culture shock of coming to the UK and seeing the size of our dinner plates in comparison!’
‘Were you together long?’ Tristan asked.
‘A year or so,’ Charlotte replied. ‘He accepted a post back home and left a couple of months ago. We said we’d try to keep things going but it didn’t work out.’
Tristan nodded. ‘I can understand that. Must have been hard when he left, though.’
‘It was, at the time.’ Charlotte took a deep breath and prepared to drop the minor bombshell that she’d been keeping to herself about Todd’s actual whereabouts right now. It seemed silly to keep hedging around it, since they’d broached the topic in conversation.
‘The thing is…’ she began.
‘I’m so sorry to interrupt, Charlotte, but may I speak with you?’
Todd’s voice, with its distinct transatlantic intonation, cut through their conversation like a tail of a comet bisecting the night sky and Charlotte felt a sharp prickle of irritation.
43
Perfect timing, as ever, Charlotte thought crossly as Todd appeared by the table. Couldn’t the guy take a hint? Research buddy or not, now was not the time to gatecrash. She’d been on the verge of telling Tristan that Todd was in Lower Brambleton and the possible discovery she’d made about the eclipsing binary, and now Todd had obviously taken it upon himself to intervene.
‘Forgive me,’ Todd said, giving them both his best apologetic smile. ‘I don’t mean to interrupt, but I just wanted to let you know, Charlotte, that I’ll be heading out on the next flight from Heathrow. If you wanted to talk anything through in person before I leave, we could meet at the observatory this evening?’
Charlotte glanced from Todd to Tristan and back again. The intimacy of the last few minutes had vanished if Tristan’s expression was anything to go by. He was looking at her expectantly, clearly waiting to be introduced.
‘Tristan, this is Todd,’ Charlotte said quickly. ‘He, er, he’s been assisting me with some of the archive work up at the observatory.’
‘I thought you were working alone?’ Tristan’s brow wrinkled.
Charlotte’s face began to flame. She didn’t like the intersection of her private and professional lives one bit.
‘Todd’s been looking into a few anomalies for me. I was going to fill you in when I was sure about what we might have found.’ God, this was awkward. She didn’t want to reveal Tristan’s family links with the observatory to Todd, who had no idea that Tristan was Martin and Laura’s son. And she certainly didn’t want to divulge the specifics of the binary star discovery to Tristan like this.
‘Yeah.’ Todd continued to smile, although Charlotte could tell he was somewhat surprised by his introduction as ‘research buddy’. ‘Charlotte contacted me to come on board with the archive project in an advisory capacity. We just need to tie up a few loose ends before I head home.’
‘And where’s home?’ Tristan asked. Charlotte didn’t miss the tighter quality of his voice. She sensed that Tristan might be putting two and two together.
‘Atlanta,’ Todd replied. ‘I’m currently working for Georgia State University.’
Tristan’s quirked eyebrow in Charlotte’s direction told her it had all clicked. ‘Fascinating work,’ he said. ‘Funny… we were just talking about you.’
‘All good, I hope!’ Todd’s smile became more fixed.
Tristan didn’t grace him with a reply. He glanced at his watch. ‘I’d better be off,’ he said. ‘I, er, promised I’d look in on Thea and the kids this afternoon.’ He made to stand but Charlotte tried desperately to delay him.
‘What about the bill? We should split it.’
‘No need.’ Tristan gave her a brief, guarded smile. ‘I’ll take care of it. I’ll, er, leave you two to discuss your research. No time like the present.’
