When they reached the chapel, they found it crowded – every seat full. People stood at the back. Guards, out of their usual black gear and clad instead in dark suits, leaned against the walls.
On the pews, alongside the teachers and students, Allie recognised famous politicians from several countries, including the prime minister who Socks had peed on so long ago.
From the front row, Isabelle motioned for Allie to join her. Allie saw her parents next to the headmistress, twisting around to try and see her.
To her surprise, at the sight of her mother, her heart jumped. She fought the urge to run to her.
‘I better go,’ she said.
Rachel followed her gaze – her eyes widened. ‘Crikey O’Reilly. Is that your parents?’
Allie shrugged. ‘I guess Hell froze over.’
But she was already crying as she made her way down the aisle, squeezing past the guards.
As soon as she saw her, her mother’s eyes filled with tears, too. She pulled her into her arms.
‘Oh Alyson.’
And Allie let her call her that. Let her hold her.
Her father stood beside them, patting her awkwardly on the shoulder.
‘It must have been terrible,’ he said gruffly.
Allie couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so glad to see them. She breathed in her mother’s familiar sent – Coco by Chanel. She always wore it for important events.
‘I’m OK,’ she said. ‘Really.’
And she was.
The pine box was still at the front of the room as it had been last night, but it was no longer bare. Now it was covered in flowers.
Hundreds of white roses were spread across the top like a thick, creamy blanket. Other bouquets pressed against it on all sides. Flowers covered the altar table, the floor, even the windowsills held bouquets.
The candelabra was still lit, but the other candles had been put out. They were no longer needed; light flooded through the stained glass windows, filling the room with brilliant streams of gold and red.
A vicar she’d never seen before conducted the service. Some hymns were sung. Famous people said wonderful things about Lucinda.
Allie was fine until the coffin was carried out. She couldn’t bear to see it put in that hole in the ground. So she slipped away from the crowd.
She stood alone near the gate, arms wrapped tightly across her torso. Looking up at the grey sky.
It’s a perfect day, she found herself thinking, for a funeral.
‘Hello Allie.’
The voice came from behind her. French accent. Familiar.
She spun around to look into a pair of eyes the same clear blue as the sea on a sunny day.
‘Oh, ma belle,’ Sylvain said. ‘I’m so sorry.’
10
‘Where did you come from?’
‘How’s your dad?’
‘Why didn’t anyone tell us?’
The others surrounded Sylvain, exclaiming, demanding information and hugging him. Even Lucas, who had never been fond of him, pounded his shoulder in a kind of violent guy-hug.
‘Glad you’re back, man,’ he said gruffly.
They clustered near the towering hearth in the great hall talking and laughing, relieved to have something to be happy about.
Allie stood to one side. She’d already had a chance to talk to him. They’d slipped away from the funeral and walked back to the school together before the others had seen him.
‘I flew in as soon as I could get away,’ he’d explained. ‘I had to be here. For you… for Carter.’
‘What about your dad?’ she’d asked. ‘Is he… better?’
His muscles tightened almost imperceptibly at mention of his father, badly injured in an assassination attempt a week ago.
‘He’s out of intensive care. The doctors say he’s going to come through.’
‘Thank God,’ Allie said with genuine relief. ‘I’m so sorry we’re taking you away from him. He needs you.’
Unexpectedly, he’d stopped then, turning to face her. He held both her hands in his.
‘You need me.’ Before she could react, he’d leaned forward, brushing his lips gently against the top of her head.
Allie had shivered at his touch. She’d missed him so much. They’d both been through hell. It was a crappy day. When he wrapped her in his arms, she leaned into his touch.
‘It’s been horrible, Sylvain. Horrible.’
‘I know,’ he’d whispered. His breath stirred strands of her hair.
Now, as she watched the others chatter excitedly to him, he glanced over to check on her. His gaze a lightning flash of vivid blue.
The protectiveness and worry in his expression made Allie’s heart ache.
Oh God, she thought. What am I going to do?
Sylvain had still been her boyfriend when he went away. Now she had to tell him the truth about Carter.
And then she would lose him forever.
Looking at him now, his wavy hair perfectly tousled, his cheekbones high and fine, standing tall and slim as he listened patiently to the others, she felt hollow inside.
She had to let him go. It had already taken her too long to listen to her heart. Too long to realise who she wanted. He’d be right to be angry with her about that.
She shook herself. She couldn’t think about this today.