Page 26 of Rendez-Vous in Cannes
‘Thank you,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘Any news on your script?’
Nat shook his head. ‘Not yet. Teddy Wickham has been too busy to do anything yet but keeps promising he will when he gets “a window in his schedule” sometime next week.’ Nat shrugged resignedly. ‘In the meantime, I’m trying to make a few contacts of my own.’
He eased the cork out of the bottle and Daisy held the glasses out as Nat carefully poured the champagne.
‘Hey, want to come to Anna’s party next week? She’s on the production side of things, so who knows who might be there. I’m pretty certain I can wangle you an invite. It’s Tuesday night. Can you get another evening off?’
‘Not a problem. I can always bribe Jasmine the housekeeper with a box of chocolates to babysit again,’ Nat said. ‘You sure Anna won’t mind?’
‘Ninety-nine point nine per cent certain,’ Daisy said. ‘I’ll check with her tomorrow and let you know. Can I ask you a personal question?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘How did you become a nanny? I know these days anyone can do anything they want, but you must admit it’s still quite unusual to find male nannies.’
‘Well, firstly, I’m not just a nanny. I’m a Montessori-trained nursery teacher. I knew I’d have to do something to earn a living while I tried to sell my scripts and I love kids – particularly three to seven year olds; they’re fun to be around. Before you ask, the job of looking after Cindy for the festival came about via a friend of a friend. Normally I freelance in the UK through an agency, which leaves me time to write in between jobs. Cheers,’ and the two of them clinked glasses.
‘Sounds like freelancing is working for you,’ Daisy said thoughtfully before taking a sip of her drink and changing the subject.
‘Do you know what the classic film is tonight?’ she asked.
‘Well, it’s not Tom and Jerry, that’s for sure. It’sDirty Harry– if you don’t like gangster films, we don’t have to stay.’ Nat glanced at her. ‘We can always leave and find a quiet spot to drink this and just watch the sea.’
‘What, and miss Clint Eastwood uttering those immortal words: “Make my day”?’ Daisy laughed. ‘He’s here at the festival this year, isn’t he?’
Nat nodded. ‘Yes, he’s got a film showing and he’s…’ Nat’s voice trailed away as he looked beyond Daisy. ‘He’s actually walking towards the screen. He’s going to make a speech about the film by the look of things.’
They both listened as Clint talked about his 1971 film. His remark, ‘If you have trouble recognising me, I’m the one with the brown hair and lots of it,’ said with a self-deprecating smile, delighted the crowd and earned him a round of applause as the film began and he left.
Sitting on the beach next to Nat, Daisy found it hard to concentrate on the film. If she were honestDirty Harrywasn’t really her kind of film – she was more aSleepless in Seattletype of girl. Sitting companionably at Nat’s side, she let not only the rolling sound of the Mediterranean as it lapped at the beach wash over her, but also much of the film’s dialogue and action as she thought about the future and Ben’s letter.
Thinking he’d made a mistake wasn’t the same as knowing and regretting, was it? He hadn’t mentioned loving her in the letter, just that he was missing her. And did he seriously expect her to go halfway around the world on a whim of his? Probably, she decided. Ben had always been the one to decide what they would do as a couple and she’d tended to follow meekly in his wake.
She’d quite enjoyed her independence of the last few months – particularly once she’d got over the shock of Ben dumping her – and rediscovered some of her own dreams. So much that she’d wanted to do had been pushed to one side while she was with Ben. Like going freelance.
‘No security in being a freelance,’ Ben had said when she’d suggested it. ‘You need a regular monthly cheque.’
Now she was alone, was she brave enough to do it? Give up the security of a regular salary. Unlike Nat, she didn’t have any other training to fall back on. She did have some savings though. Enough to live on for at least nine months, she reckoned, if the freelance work didn’t take off straight away. If she took voluntary redundancy, there would be a couple of months’ pay to add to her savings as well.
When the cooling night air made her shiver and Nat placed an arm protectively around her shoulders, she snuggled in against him. Right now, she realised, she was happier than she’d been in years.
As the credits rolled, Nat asked, ‘Taxi or shall we walk back?’
‘Let’s walk along the bord de mer,’ Daisy answered. ‘It’s such a lovely evening.’
Late though it was, the restaurants along the bord de mer were still busy – there were even a few brave souls going for a late-night dip. Strolling along with her arm around Nat’s waist and his arm around her shoulders felt comfortable and natural. As did the goodnight kiss he gave her as she pressed the security number into the electric gate on the villa’s drive. A delicious tingling feeling flooded through her body.
‘Goodnight, Daisy. See you tomorrow. Thank you for a lovely evening.’
As Daisy watched him go with a smile on her face, she realised, with that kiss, Nat had just ‘made her day’.
14
Anna, putting the finishing touches to the special dinner she’d prepared, glanced out of the kitchen window to where Leo was busy organising things around the pool. He didn’t seem disappointed that they were eating at the villa tonight instead of finding an expensive restaurant, as he’d initially suggested.
‘A romantic dinner with just the two of us here will actually be perfect,’ he’d said. ‘So long as it’s not too much trouble for you.’
‘I love having someone special to cook for,’ Anna had told him. Not adding that the lack of that special someone for most of her life made their relationship unimitated, unique and extraordinarily wonderful.
