Page 85 of You Had Me at Chateau
‘Yes, all good, thanks,’ she tells me. ‘I was hoping to speak to Caleb.’
‘Caleb?’ I repeat, bewildered. That’s the last thing I was expecting her to say. I haven’t even told her that he’s here. ‘He’s not here right now. Why do you need to talk to him?’
‘Oh, Amber, it’s amazing,’ she gushes. ‘Caleb spoke to your dad. He told him a few home truths, and, honestly, he’s like a changed man now.’
I blink, rapidly, my eyes like a camera shutter that’s taking a burst of photos to capture a moment in time. Well, it is an unexpected one. He did say that he liked to stick his nose in, if he thought he could help, and it sounds like he really has.
‘Wait, what?’ I reply.
‘Oh, he’s wonderful,’ she continues. ‘Caleb, that is. He’s… well, I don’t know what he’s done, but he’s knocked some sense into him. Your dad is doing everything he wasn’t doing before – paying attention to me, being helpful around the house, generally being a joy to be around. That’s why I asked him for the divorce, because I just wanted him to realise, to see what I was missing, and what he would be missing without me, and it all went a bit far, but it’s all perfect now, we’re going to give it another go.’
I feel kind of stupid, in hindsight, for not questioning why Mum would be choosing wallpaper she loved for a lounge in a house she reckoned they were going to have to sell.
‘Mum, that’s great news,’ I tell her, genuinely. ‘I had no idea Caleb talked to Dad. Oh, actually, they spoke on FaceTime a fewdays ago, while I was… in the bathroom, but I didn’t know what they talked about. I thought they were just making small talk.’
‘I only just found out myself, and at first I was jealous that he got to speak to him and I didn’t,’ she admits. ‘But whatever Caleb said to him, it worked.’
Wow. It sounds like Dad just needed someone like Caleb, who’s been through so much, to point out what he has, and what he was taking for granted.
‘That’s the best Christmas present ever, Mum. I’m so happy for you,’ I say with a smile.
It’s not just a Christmas present, it’s a Christmas miracle.
‘Thank you, darling,’ she says. ‘We both needed this. I just wanted you to know, and to thank Caleb if you see him. But I would love to thank him myself.’
‘I’ll let him know,’ I say, not wanting to get into anything else right now. ‘And I’ll see you very soon.’
‘Yes, not long to go,’ she says excitedly. ‘And even more Christmas plans to make. It’s going to be an even bigger and better one now.’
Christmas is one of those things where, sure, it can be bigger, but that rarely makes it better. The fewer extended family and friends around on Christmas Day, the more relaxing it tends to be.
But, hey, at least we’re ending the call on a happy note, and I won’t have to take any more calls, and Tom’s life will be much easier. I guess everything is working out for the best. Well, almost everything.
I’m feeling a real mix of emotions right now – I can hardly pick them apart. I’m thrilled that my parents are working things out. It’s a huge relief, and I’m grateful to Caleb, for the part he played. But the way things have played out between us, ugh, that I’m not happy about. I always assumed he was just anotherhimbo influencer, all sponsorship deals and no substance, buthe’s actually a really sweet, thoughtful guy, with a difficult past behind him, but one that hasn’t ruined the way he feels about the future. And, annoyingly, I like him. I really like him – so obviously his ex has shown up, and it seems like he’s going to choose her.
Will he choose her? Am I definitely going to lose him to his ex, or can I still do something about it? I’ve never been the type to make grand romantic gestures – off the page, anyway – but maybe it’s time that changed. Maybe I should go to Caleb, thank him for whatever he said to my dad, tell him how happy he has made my parents – and me. I should tell him how happy he makes me, and I should tell him exactly how I feel. No misunderstandings, no room for interpretation. Then it’s up to him, what he decides to do, who he decides he wants to be with. Gosh, I really hope it’s me but, if it’s not, I will always be able to tell myself that I was bold and brave and I gave it a fucking go.
While the newfound determination is raging, I grab my coat and head for the door.
Maybe this is a mistake, maybe it isn’t. Either way, it’s worth a shot.
45
Standing outside Caleb’s chalet door, I take in a deep breath of cool air and remind myself why I’m here. I can’t leave without knowing for sure where we stand and, even though this is way out of my comfort zone, and that I really, really, truly, honestly never, ever do anything like this, I would kick myself forever if I didn’t try.
My heart pounds like a drum inside my chest, each beat reminding me of just how much is riding on this moment. I lift my hand and knock, trying to steady my nerves.
It doesn’t take long before the door swings open, and there he is, Caleb, which is a huge relief already.
My relief is short-lived, though, because the moment he sees me, his face falls, and a heavy, sinking feeling punches me in the stomach.
‘Who is it?’ Annabelle’s voice calls from inside, her tone sharp and impatient.
Oh, great, she’s still here. Wonderful. I’m sure that’s agreatsign.
‘It’s someone from the hotel. I’ll be back in a minute,’ Caleb shouts back.
He steps outside, closing the door firmly behind him. Shit, this is not a good sign, is it? I try to read his expression, but his eyes are guarded, his lips are saying nothing.
