Page 41 of Rendez-Vous in Cannes
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‘I picked up a sparkling candle too,’ Daisy said as she and Poppy admired the decorated gateau with its swirls of cream and chocolate hearts that they’d collected from the patisserie. ‘Just in case.’
‘Just in case of what?’ Poppy asked.
Daisy shrugged. ‘Don’t know really, but sparkling candles on a cake is always festive. I thought it would go well… here,’ and she carefully pushed it into the centre of the cake. ‘We can light it just before the official toasts.’
‘Better put the cake back in the fridge,’ Poppy said. ‘Don’t want the cream going off before we serve it.’
‘Right,’ Daisy said. ‘Now where’s that list? What else have we got left to do?’
Poppy looked at her clipboard. ‘Think we’re done. We just have to put the food out on the table, what, quarter of an hour before people are due?’ she said, glancing at her watch. ‘We’ll have to light the candles and float them on the pool, but that’s not until later as well. Nat will be bringing Tom back soon. Shall we eat something with him or wait for food this evening?’
‘Oh, let’s eat something light with Tom. Shouldn’t drink champagne on an empty stomach,’ Daisy said. ‘Anna and Leo look as if they are still putting the world to rights,’ Daisy added, looking across to the villa, where Anna and Leo were sitting by the pool. ‘Anna’s looking so miserable. I wonder what’s upset her? Tonight’s supposed to be a happy occasion.’
‘I thought she looked as if she’d been crying when they got back here earlier,’ Poppy said. ‘She was very subdued when I went across to finalise a few things.’ She turned as Nat opened the garden gate. ‘Ah, Tom and Cindy are back. I’ll organise some food. Would you and Cindy like to stay?’ she asked Nat.
‘Thanks. Not sure how hungry these two will be. Lots of candy floss and other delicacies on offer today on the Croisette – along with balloons,’ he said, catching hold of Cindy’s pink helium-filled balloon as it threatened to slip out of the little girl’s hand and float away from her.
Daisy helped Tom tie his blue one to the back of a chair before following Poppy into the kitchen to help with the food.
‘How’s your day been then?’ Nat asked as Daisy put some slices of melon on the table for the children to snack on.
‘Well, I no longer have a job to return to, but my voluntary redundancy package will be waiting for me,’ she explained as Nat looked at her. ‘So I’m going to be freelance sooner rather than later.’
‘Which you can do from anywhere in the world,’ Nat said thoughtfully.
‘True, but first I’ll need to do some serious networking to let people know I’m available. Poppy’s already agreed I can have the cottage while I look around for something down here.’
‘A new start in all sorts of ways,’ Nat said. ‘Exciting.’
‘Yep,’ Daisy replied, deciding not to mention the other event in her day – Ben’s marriage proposal. She’d tell him later, of course, when they could laugh about it together.
‘Cindy, Tom, when you’ve finished your quiche and salads, I’ll make you a small chocolate milkshake each. Okay?’ Poppy called from the kitchen.
Half an hour later the children finished their tea and Nat pushed his chair back. ‘Time to go, Cindy,’ he said.
As they said their goodbyes and untied Cindy’s balloon, Anna walked through the villa garden towards the cottage.
‘Hello, Tom and Cindy. Love your balloons.’
‘Are you having balloons for your party?’ Cindy asked.
‘No, we completely forgot about ordering balloons,’ Anna said.
‘That’s sad,’ Cindy replied solemnly. ‘You can borrow mine if you like,’ she offered, holding it out to Anna. ‘Not to keep. Just for your party.’
‘Thank you, Cindy. That’s very kind of you,’ Anna said. ‘It’s your birthday soon, isn’t it?’ she asked. ‘You’ll need your balloon for your tea party then, so you’d better take it home with you now.’
‘Okay,’ Cindy said. ‘Is my mummy coming to your party?’
‘She’s welcome to come, but I expect she’s busy with festival things. I think Nat’s coming,’ Anna said, glancing across at him.
‘Mummy’s not busy. I heard her telling Daddy she didn’t have anything to do tonight.’
‘Well, you tell her if she wants to come with Nat, she’ll be very welcome,’ Anna said. ‘I would love to meet her.’
‘Come on, Cindy, let’s go,’ Nat said. ‘I’ll see you all later.’
