Page 58 of Twin Flames
There was a long silence before he said, ‘Ah, that.’
‘Yes, that.’
‘I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.’
‘Tell you what? It was just a routine piece of publicity the BBC asked me to do because the show will air soon.’
‘Oh, I see. Sounds like you had nothing to do with it. That makes me feel much better. Thank you for that.’
George was silent. Her words hit their mark with the precision of a champion boxer; fast, quick and painful. He’d been caught off guard. He thought the feature was going to be out the following week and had planned to mention it at some point. He knew she wouldn’t like it and had unconsciously put off telling her.
‘Do you remember the photos being taken?’ She prodded him, in the way one pokes a sore, swollen gum. She knew she shouldn’t do it, it was going to hurt, but she couldn’t stop herself.
‘Um, yes, of course. It was a few weeks ago.’ His words were clipped, his tone transmuted to ice.
‘Aha. So, you had a media photo shoot in your house, as well as at the workshop? It must have been quite a production, but it slipped your mind. You couldn’t mention it to me?’
If there was such a thing as seeing red, Cara saw it now.
‘Well, when you say it like that, it doesn’t put me in a very favourable light.’
He reverted to his trusted tool; self-deprecating humour, but it failed to entertain Cara this time.
She fumed. ‘I’m the one in the dark, George. Not you, obviously. Here I am, stupid me, trying to be understanding about your situation and wanting to believe you love me. Meanwhile, you’re posing for the whole city with your wife. You’re splashed all over the Saturday paper as the model husband.’
‘It’s only an article; please be reasonable. Let me explain how it happened because it’s not what you think. I didn’t plan it. I couldn’t say no when the coordinator invited Joanna to take part. It was agreed by her and my personal assistant before I heard anything about it.’
‘There’s nothing like opening the newspaper to read all about the incredible life the man you love shares with someone else. I particularly liked the bit where Joanna says how close you are because of your shared passion for the arts.’
‘Cara, will you please calm down? You’re blowing this way out of proportion. It’s just a business thing. Joanna agreed to take part because the media guy said it would be more interesting that way and they gave her art dealership a plug too.’
‘Oh, a win-win for the brilliant Cavendish couple. How fantastic. Well, I’ve had enough of this nonsense. Enjoy the publicity. I hope it keeps you warm in your cold marriage. Goodbye.’
‘Please don’t leave it like this,’ he said.
She heard his voice crack.
‘I have to go.’ Cara could barely speak. She was furious; her hand shook as she ended the call.
That he should try and pretend it was nothing, and she was being unreasonable, infuriated her more than him not having the courtesy, or the balls, to warn her about the article.
She was aware that he withheld information, with the intention of protecting her, but she was reeling from this latest episode. He was a master at changing the subject so that the focus was on her reaction rather than on his behaviour. Enough was enough. She was in love with him. There didn’t seem to be anything she could do to stop it, lord knows, she’d tried repeatedly, but she couldn’t handle any more of this insanity. Living a double life didn’t seem to bother him; he took it in his stride. She worried that perhaps he even enjoyed it. What man’s ego wouldn’t be stroked by the attention of two attractive, intelligent women?
He rang again. This time she didn’t answer. If she spoke to him, she knew she would say something she’d regret so she shoved the phone into the kitchen drawer.
Cara was too angry to cry. Her chest felt sore and tight. The tears would come later when her anger subsided, and she was left with the miserable prospect of long, empty days without him. In the months since they’d fallen in love, she’d shed more tears than ever before.
What is it about him that I find so irresistible? If it was anyone else, I would have been long gone.
Thoughts of Sylvia’s Twin Flame prophecy, whirled inside her head. She had explained to Cara that no matter how much she resisted the karmic connection, it was ultimately pointless because her and George’s life’s mission was to love one another unconditionally. She said that their souls had planned thereunion thousands of years ago. They must reunite as one soul, and in so doing, they would raise the consciousness of the planet. They were chosen.
It’s completely ridiculous. If this is being chosen, I’ll do without it.
Flashes of their life together in Tudorville pirouetted through her mind. It was the most confusing situation; no matter how she rationalised or reframed events, she couldn’t seem to achieve clarity. Each time she thought she’d got a grip on their relationship, it shifted, and she lost her footing.
She wished she could be normal again; not a time traveller with a karmic mission, flitting back and forth over five hundred years, in love with a guy who made her crazy.
Cara pulled her jacket on. She’d go and see Daniel. He was delightfully uncomplicated and appreciative of her presence. Even after all of this time, he still loved her and didn’t have another woman on the scene. Maybe she’d go back to him; to the sensible passionless life, she’d resigned herself to before she met George. Surely, eventually, the pain would stop if she stayed away from George long enough.
