How r you? Feeling any higher?

With a shaky hand, I rapidly textual content again:

A bit – illness eased off. Really feel terrible. So responsible. xx

Just a few moments later one other message trills via:

Don’t fear! All will b nicely. xx

I slip my cell phone into my again pocket and switch to Daniel. He’s snuggled up subsequent to me, arms resting on the wall, staring down on the river. “It’s lovely, isn’t it?” I say, taking all of it in.

“Nearly as lovely as you might be.” A cliché, I do know, but it surely’s good to listen to all the identical. I stare down on the calm, velvety water, pleasant and attractive on the floor however deep and murky beneath, a bit like me. My cell phone goes off once more. Daniel straightens up and tuts impatiently. I can see he’s had sufficient.

“Sorry,” I say, pulling it out of my pocket, “it could be vital.” It’s Nick.

Bonjour mon ami! Hope ur having gr8 time. Nick X

I textual content again hurriedly.

Sure. At River Seine! Communicate quickly.

“Sorry about that, it was Callum from work,” I lie.

Daniel turns my face in the direction of his as my cell bleeps once more.

His fingers are chilly. I flinch.

“Depart it.” He pulls my hand away from my pocket. “Can’t you simply change it off? It’s been going off all morning. I believed we had been imagined to be celebrating my birthday.”

“I can’t, Daniel, you realize that. Raymond solely agreed to let me have at this time off if he might contact me at any time.” I take just a few rushed steps ahead and in my haste I twist my ankle and begin hurtling in the direction of the ground. I seize onto a close-by publish for help, then as I draw back I really feel a tug on my shoulder then the sound of a rip. Daniel rushes over and snatches me in his arms.

“Darling, are you all proper?” Somewhat shaken, I straighten up and brush myself down as Daniel examines my shoulder. “It’s only a tear,” he says, sounding relieved, “and a small scratch. You’ll stay.” He faucets my nostril. “Not your day at this time, is it?” If solely he knew the depths of my distress.

Nonetheless holding tightly onto my cell phone, I learn the message – it’s Nick once more: Take pleasure in. Name u tomz xx

I take my glasses off and snap them shut of their case. I’ve bought to cease texting. It isn’t truthful on Daniel.

“Marry me,” Daniel whispers, as I slip my glasses nonchalantly into my open purse. My breath catches in my throat. I can’t consider it. Has he actually simply proposed to me by the River Seine on his fiftieth birthday? Music from a close-by restaurant drifts in the direction of us as if in serenade. I can’t communicate. I open my mouth, then shut it once more and gawp at him in silence

“I like you, Audrey.” He pulls me near him. I can really feel his coronary heart beating quick towards my chest, his heat breath towards my face. “Please say sure and make this birthday one of the best ever.”

“Wow,” I handle lastly, “Daniel. Phew. You’re stuffed with surprises at this time. I don’t know what to say.”

“Simply say sure and we are able to go and purchase the rings proper now.” He takes just a few steps again and pulls my hand. “Come on.”

“Daniel, no…wait…I…you…we…you,” I mumble incoherently.

His face drops the moment he realises his romantic gesture has backfired.

“Oh, my goodness,” he says, “you don’t love me, do you?” My cell phone begins vibrating in my hand. I look down at it. It’s George. Thanks, God.

“Sorry, Daniel, it’s work. I’ve bought to get this.” I reply the cellphone nervously, backing away for privateness. “Hello,” I say in a high-pitched voice, my coronary heart hammering towards my ribcage.

“Hey, sis, how are you? Every little thing okay?” George sounds involved.

“Sure, I’m superb. A bit drained from the journey. Is every part okay with you? Has something occurred?”

“I heard the information.” I can hear the smile in his voice, “Vicky instructed me. Effectively, I overheard you two speaking on the cellphone this morning and coaxed it out of her,” he says smugly as if he’s Hercule Poirot. It takes some time for me to cotton on. Shit.

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