Page 86 of A Billionaire for Christmas
‘Well, it is the season of goodwill. You should definitely talk to him. I’m a great believer in the healing powers of Christmas.’
‘Why does that not surprise me? How are you so nice?’ As the wheels touched down on the tarmac and the jet came to a halt, Levi unbuckled his seatbelt and held out his hand to her. ‘Come on. Let’s get your business back.’
* * *
After a twenty-minute dash from the airport in a shiny, black, expensive-looking chauffeur-driven car, Molly and Levi stood outside Barrowfield, Fournier & Fils Solicitors. The street was dark, save for a few streetlamps. It was deserted. All of the lights in the building were out. Levi rapped forcefully on the door. Molly checked the time. They had ten minutes left to reach Monsieur Fournier.
No answer.
Levi tried again while Molly rang his number.
No answer.
Molly felt crushed, especially after the magnificent rush and excitement of the journey with Levi. He had been positively heroic. She grabbed his arm. ‘I’m so sorry. You went to all this trouble for me, and he’s not even here. I’m so, so sorry.’
Levi lifted her chin. ‘Don’t be. Whatever happens you’ll be fine. You’ll start a new business. You’ll find a new place to live. You’ll live the happy and adventurous life that your friend wanted you to. And you’ll do it because of who you already are. Not because of someone you think you should be.’
Molly felt her body glow from within as she gazed at him. He reached out to wipe a single tear from her cheek, leaning down to kiss her gently on the lips. It was a kiss so tender, so soft, that Molly wasn’t sure if it was really happening.
The sound of a door being unbolted interrupted the moment. It creaked open to reveal an old man. ‘Miss Johnson, I presume?’
Molly nodded. ‘Monsieur Fournier?’
The man before her wore a crumpled brown suit. He looked old and tired. And grumpy. Molly wanted to assert herself but something about the man appealed to her better nature. He looked worn and lonely.
‘Thank you for staying late. I appreciate you might have family waiting for you.’
A sorrowful look crossed his face. ‘Non.’
‘Erm, well, here are the documents you requested. And the photos. And a signed affidavit from Levi, erm, my lawyer, Monsieur LeRoux, to confirm the bucket list has been completed.’
Levi straightened and took his arm from around her shoulders but not without the sharp eyes of Monsieur Fournier catching the movement. Levi cleared his throat. ‘Yes. I am representing Miss Johnson’s case.’
Monsieur Fournier let out a tired grumble. ‘What case?’ He ushered them both inside out of the cold with a confused expression. He led them down a musty hallway, into his office. It looked straight out of the 1950s. He went over to a large wooden desk piled high with files and papers and lifted a folded cardboard wallet off the top. ‘Here are all the necessary documents, deeds, keys and a copy of the will. Sign here, please.’
Molly took the papers. ‘Is that it? Aren’t you going to check that I’ve done everything?’ She pulled Ava’s journal from her pocket and flipped it open. ‘I mean, look, here’s a photo of me riding the camel dressed in burlesque. Well, no. Don’t look at that one. Here’s me covered in sausage. And look, here’s me wearing a blindfold and… Let me find the videos on my phone of me barking.’
‘You have been busy, haven’t you?’ Monsieur Fournier looked disbelievingly at her. ‘But why? As I tried to explain to you, multiple times, I might add, the will stipulates that you only have totryto finish the bucket list.’
Molly traded a confused glance with Levi.
‘Do you mean to say that Molly – Miss Johnson – only had totryto complete the list? As in, if she’d tried only one thing on the list then that would have been enough to satisfy the terms?’
Monsieur Fournier tutted. ‘At last. Someone is listening to me. You’ll make a good lawyer someday.’
Molly was glad that Levi chose to ignore the undercurrent of sarcasm.
‘But… but why didn’t you tell me that in the first place?’ Molly was astounded. Had all of this been for nothing? It couldn’t be possible.
‘I did. And I kept writing to you. Several times.’ He handed Molly a copy of the letter.
She quickly scanned it. Now that he had pointed it out, it was as though the wording was changing before her very eyes.
‘Blah, blah, blah,’ murmured Levi, reading over her shoulder. ‘The recipient, Molly Johnson, must try to complete everything remaining on the bucket list before Christmas Eve at 6p.m. of the following year otherwise blah, blah, blah… all of the assets pertaining to Ava’s estate will go to her next of kin.’ Levi’s head jerked up. ‘He’s right. He’s rude but he’s right.’
Monsieur Fournier coughed. ‘Apologies. My manner is not what it was. Ever since I lost my wife, I have been a cantankerous old buffoon. All those years spent slaving away at work instead of making the most of my time with her. In fact, Ms Johnson, you are my very last client. Well, strictly speaking Ava is my last client. And for what it is worth, I would have waited for you.’ Monsieur Fournier smiled forlornly at Molly. ‘She was my goddaughter, you see.’ His eyes misted over. ‘Her dear parents are my oldest friends.’
‘You were at the funeral,’ gasped Molly, squinting at him.
