Page 65 of A Riviera Retreat
There was no sign of a sales assistant. Behind a small counter, a bead curtain hung in front of an opening which presumably led to somewhere private. Tentatively, Chelsea called out, ‘Bonjour’ and waited, but no one answered. Oh well, if she found something to buy, she’d shout a bit louder and hope someone would hear. She was examining a shelf of reiki friendship bracelets when she heard the bead curtain rattle and she turned to see a grey haired man watching her. A man who looked as though he’d be more at home in a bank than this shop, he was dressed so formally in a suit and tie.
‘Bonjour, mademoiselle,’ he said, followed by a sentence spoken so fast she could only stare at him aghast, not understanding a word he’d uttered.
‘Uum,’ Chelsea mumbled as she looked at him.
‘Ah, you no speak French. Can I ’elp you?’
Chelsea smiled at him in relief. ‘Please.’ She pointed to the bracelets. ‘I’d like the aquamarine one and…’ she hesitated. ‘And the rose quartz and moonstone one.’ The aquamarine one would match Tilly’s new jacket and be perfect for her. And she couldn’t resist buying the rose quartz one for herself as a memento of the holiday. ‘D’you have a box for this one?’ she asked as she held the aquamarine bracelet out to the man. ‘It is a present. The other one is for me and I’ll just put it on.’
The man nodded as he carefully placed Tilly’s bracelet in a box. ‘These aquamarines will give your friend courage and protection.’
Chelsea looked at him in surprise. ‘Oh. I knew the stones all had different powers according to reiki, but that is just what she’ll need – courage and protection.’
‘And you, mademoiselle,’ he said as he fastened the other bracelet around Chelsea’s wrist. ‘Your rose quartz will bring you good luck, love and help your new beginning.’
Chelsea stared at him as he looked at her seriously before telling her how many euros she needed to pay. Wordlessly, she handed him her credit card.
‘Au revoir, mademoiselle. Bonne journée.’
‘Merci beaucoup,’ Chelsea managed to stutter as she left the shop. Well, that had been a bit of a strange experience, but at least she’d found a present for Tilly.
Walking back to the main street, she looked at the new bracelet on her wrist thoughtfully. If she believed that Tilly’s gift would give her courage and protection, then she had to believe her own bracelet would do like the man said and bring her good luck. One thing was for sure, she wasn’t going to chance taking it off in a hurry, she could do with all the luck she could get for the future.
Chelsea took her time strolling back to Belle Vue, planning to have lunch and then to sunbathe down by the pool before having a swim. She needed to check on the cake too, make sure the icing decorations had stuck.
When she got back, everybody was still out and Chelsea helped herself to a cheese salad, some garlic bread and a large glass of rosé, all of which she placed on a tray and carried down to eat sitting on the terrace by the pool.
Afterwards, lying on a sunbed under the shade of a parasol, Chelsea closed her eyes and allowed her thoughts to drift. Winning the holiday and coming to France had certainly helped her to get over Kit and his lies, but tomorrow she was returning home with a much bigger problem to sort out. Ten days ago, when she’d thought her broken heart was the biggest of her worries, she and Elsie still had the business. Now, having realised Kit had bruised her ego more than really damaging her heart, she knew the loss of her business was far more devastating and likely to have a bigger and longer lasting impact on her life. Elsie’s disappearance was another worry. A guilt laden thought flashed again into Chelsea’s mind.
She’d been so wrapped up in herself, she’d totally failed to register Elsie’s drinking problem. Simon could tell her as often as he liked that it wasn’t her fault, she couldn’t stop feeling that she should have noticed and done something to help. Maybe she’d left it too late, but once home she was definitely going to try and find Elsie and offer to help in any way possible. Chelsea sighed. Lending her money would be out though, because currently she herself was broke, in debt to her father and jobless. What a scenario to be returning home to. Still, she had the rest of the day here in Belle Vue to enjoy and the barbecue for Tilly’s surprise party this evening. With that happier thought, Chelsea found herself drifting off to sleep.
The sound of a car engine, followed by doors slamming and voices, woke her an hour later. Sounded like her dad and Amy were back. She’d have a quick swim – ten laps, no more – to wake herself up a bit and then go in search of Amy. She needed to find her alone and ask her the question she’d held back on earlier.
She was swimming her last lap when Josh appeared.
‘Mum tells me you’re a real water baby?’ he said, as she climbed out of the pool.
‘Yes, I am – well, in another life I was. Today I needed to cool off. I fell asleep in the sun,’ Chelsea confessed, wrapping her towel around herself, aware that Josh was watching her. ‘Did you like the villa? It looked wonderful in the photographs.’
‘I did and I can actually see Mum living there.’
‘Does she suspect about the party tonight?’
‘No. She did suggest we both went out to dinner this evening, but I told her I refused to drag her away from her new friends on her last evening.’
‘Well done.’
‘Mum’s having a nap right now,’ Josh said. ‘So I thought I’d grab my chance to have a swim Too bad you’ve had yours - unless I can persuade you to keep me company?’ Josh said, looking at her hopefully.
Chelsea shook her head, inwardly regretting having to decline. ‘Sorry. I need to shower and then go find Amy. I think she and my dad are back?’
‘Not sure where your dad is, but Amy’s in the kitchen on her own.’
‘Thanks. My shower can wait then. Enjoy your swim.’ And Chelsea made for the kitchen.
* * *
As they arrived back at the villa, Simon’s mobile pinged several times with incoming text messages. Glancing at the first, he cursed under his breath and turned to Amy. ‘Sorry, looks like a spot of bother back home. All right if I make myself scarce for a bit? Make a few phone calls.’
