Love on Notes

53

After dinner, I decided to take another look around the library. At the very bottom, I spotted four novels that looked like they belonged to a series and, from their covers, were thrillers. I bent down to pick them up. When I read the author's name, I was shocked: "D. PETIT" which was Daniel's surname.

I remembered the times I'd bumped into him at the publishing house. He had told me that Ingrid was a friend, but what if she was also... his editor? Why had he not told me the truth. Did he not trust me after all this time?

After picking up the four books, I hurried to the bedroom and quickly opened the door. He looked up at me, clearly panicked at my expression.

— You are a published novelist!
— What?

He looked puzzled.

— You know Ingrid because she's your editor!

I placed the novels in front of him.

— These are your works...

He looked very embarrassed, then admitted:

— Yes.

A thousand questions went through my mind, and I asked him the first one.

— But why didn't you ever tell me?
— I don't really know. At first, I was afraid you wanted to take advantage of the fact that I was published by this publishing house. But then things moved so quickly between us that it slipped my mind. It was only when we spoke about your novel a few weeks ago that I realised I hadn't mentioned this part of me.

This hurt me a little, even though I could understand, to a certain extent.

— Is there anything else you need to tell me?
— Liz, I feel terrible and I apologise. Apart from the publication of my series, I don't have anything important to tell you.

I leaned on his desk.

— Tell me about your novels. Since when, what, how?

With a smile on his face, he explained that his books were about the adventures of an American spy during the Second World War.

— Is that a kind of reading you're interested in?
— Daniel, of course! I can't wait to read them. But tell me, if there have been four volumes, I take it they were a success?

He smiled at me, looking embarrassed.

— Yes.
— And do you plan to continue writing?
— Yes.
— From the same series?
— I don't think so. I finished the story in the last volume and I don't want to be one of those writers who continues a series just because the other novels were successful.
His revelation surprised me.

— Oh. Well, that's good. At least you can focus on a new project.
— Exactly.

He started to talk about his new ideas when the phone rang. Given the time of day, I was surprised. He took a few moments to talk to his interlocutor, then returned to the room.

— What's the matter?
— That was my boss. There's an emergency at work, I've got to go.

I sat back down, realising that this meant I was going to be on my own, as Daniel had given Tom, Emmeline and Theo the night off. He seemed to understand my anxiety and put his hands up to reassure me.

— Don't worry, I'll ask if Raph can come and keep you company.

He pressed his lips to mine before I could react. A few seconds later, he stepped aside to change, and I left him, taking his novels with me.

Daniel's mobile rang again. When I heard "Perfect, see you in ten minutes", I realised that Raphael would be arriving soon, which reassured me.

When I opened my eyes, I realised that I wasn't where I'd fallen asleep. Recognising the ceiling of Daniel's room, I got up to check that I was safe and saw that Raphael was snoring on the chair that was normally at the other end of the room. He must have carried me to my bed when he found me dozing off in front of the television. I was still wearing the same clothes.

After a few minutes of waking up completely, I sat up quietly before covering Raphael with a large grey blanket. As much as I wanted to ask him to rest in the guest room, I knew he would refuse, just as he had refused to sleep the night before. I tiptoed out of the room and closed the door.

I heard someone inserting a key into one of the locks an hour later as I was sat in the living room. A sigh of relief escaped my lips when I caught sight of Daniel, the tiredness evident in his look. He put down his bag and four files, then walked over to me and hugged me tighter than usual. He put his chin on my shoulder and took a deep breath.

— Are you all right? I asked, pulling away from him.

He looked away and remained silent. My heart heavy with anxiety, I grabbed his hand and asked him again.

— Not really, he admitted, before taking my other hand in his. Trevor might not be the person we thought he was.
— What do you mean by that?

He pointed to the nearest sofa.

— Please sit down.

I did as I was told, swallowing in fear. Daniel's slightly livid complexion did nothing to ease my anxiety.

— It's possible that Trevor, or John, didn't just kill the girl near Toulouse, but four others.

I widened my eyes, raising my voice.

— Four others?
— Yes, but Liz, I would never let him hurt you, ever. All right, Liz?

Unable to speak, I nodded. Feeling shivers run down every inch of my body, I raised my shoulders slightly, as if this would protect me from the cold that was engulfing me. Daniel sat down next to me and hugged me to reassure me, but it didn't work. Although I felt safe with him, I thought about what might happen to me. And the idea of ending up like those girls terrified me more than anything.