Page 53 of A Riviera Retreat
Amy laughed. ‘That makes him sound like Del Boy from that old TV show.’ She hesitated before continuing, ‘I only ask because I’ve got this feeling I’ve met him before somewhere and I have no idea where it would have been.’
‘I know he took Mum to Monaco a couple of times. Birthdays and anniversary treats.’ Chelsea said. ‘Why don’t you ask him?’
‘Ask me what?’ Simon said, joining them.
‘Amy thinks she’s met you before.’ Chelsea said. ‘I’m going to run to that rock over there, okay? See you back at the restaurant,’ and she sped off across the cove, leaving an embarrassed Amy looking at Simon.
‘It’s probably just a silly feeling. Maybe you remind me of someone. Do you feel we’ve met before?’ she said, breaking the silence.
Simon shrugged. ‘Maybe.’
His ‘maybe’ confused Amy and she was quiet for several moments as they walked, trying to work out what he’d meant.
‘Have you ever been an angel?’ she said, stopping suddenly to look at him. ‘Perhaps that’s it.’
Simon laughed. ‘An angel? Me?’
‘Somebody who puts up money for a show, play or ballet is known in the entertainment industry as an angel,’ Amy explained. ‘I thought perhaps we could have met if you backed one of my ex-husband’s shows.’
‘Believe me, Amy, I’m no angel in any sense of the word,’ Simon said. ‘Come on. Let’s go eat.’
To Amy’s surprise, there was a bottle of pink champagne nestling in an ice bucket when they were shown to their table.
‘What are we celebrating?’ she asked.
‘There has to be a reason to drink champagne?’ Simon said, feigning surprise, as the waiter opened the bottle and poured them each a glass. ‘I didn’t realise.’
‘Usually, yes,’ Amy said. ‘It’s a drink for special occasions.’
‘In that case, let me think. I know – let’s celebrate the special occasion of being alive and meeting this morning,’ Simon said, handing her a glass. ‘Personally, I’m also celebrating the fact that I’m about to have lunch in a glorious location with my daughter and a beautiful woman – who I may, or may not, know already.’ Simon’s gaze held Amy’s for several seconds and she felt the heat rising in her face. How could she feel so attracted to this man whom she’d only met a mere few hours ago?
‘Thank you,’ she said, tapping her glass of champagne against the one he held out towards her. ‘Here’s to being alive in a glorious location then. Ah, here comes Chelsea.’
With delicious food, good company, lots of laughter, lunch flew past. Amy loved the connection between Simon and Chelsea. Their father-daughter relationship was a robust one, no doubt strengthened by the tragedy in their lives and the need to be strong for each other.
It wasn’t until they’d returned to Belle Vue that Amy realised Simon and Chelsea had failed to talk about anything important.
Chelsea leapt out of the car as Simon parked. ‘I’m going for a swim and then I’m going to read for a bit and top up the tan before I start prepping dinner.’
‘Sounds like a plan. I think I’ll join you. How about you?’ Simon said, turning to Amy. ‘Fancy a swim?’
Amy put a restraining hand on Simon’s arm as he went to follow his daughter. ‘I’m sorry you didn’t get to talk to Chelsea this lunchtime.’
‘It’s not a problem. I can talk to her now down by the pool, no worries.’
‘There’s something I feel I ought to tell you,’ Amy hesitated. ‘You do realise that Chelsea blames herself for her mum’s death? The guilt is eating her up.’
Simon stared at her. ‘That’s nonsense. She’s never mentioned it to me.’
Amy faltered. Had she upset Simon? But he needed to know how his daughter was still grieving for her mother. She took a deep breath.
‘I know, that’s why I feel I ought to tell you. Her reason for that is she’s scared to tell you. She’s afraid it will drive a wedge between the two of you once you know the truth and she can’t bear the thought of that. She loves you too much.’
‘Did she tell you why she feels guilty?’
‘Because she was ten minutes late meeting her mum. She believes if she’d been on time, they wouldn’t have been in that particular lane on the motorway and the accident wouldn’t have involved them.’
Simon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. ‘I need to tell her the truth. It most definitely was not her fault. If anyone should feel guilty it’s me. Thank you for telling me how she feels. Time to straighten things out.’ And he turned and followed Chelsea.
