Page 43 of Rendez-Vous in Cannes
The two watched as Anna greeted Bernard like an old friend and then welcomed Verity to the party, before introducing them both to Leo.
‘That’s interesting,’ Daisy said quietly. ‘Bernard was a great friend of Philippe Cambone. I wonder if Anna knew him as well back in the past. I must ask her.’
Poppy looked at her sister anxiously. ‘Please, don’t start asking questions tonight. Let Anna enjoy her party. I think the last few days have been very hard on her for some reason. She’s brighter tonight, but the last few times I’ve seen her she’s been very subdued.’
‘Poppy, what d’you take me for? Of course I won’t bother Anna tonight. Might have a word with Bernard though,’ Daisy said mischievously, ignoring Poppy’s sharp intake of breath and smiling at Nat making his way towards them. ‘Nat. You’re late. Everything okay?’ Daisy asked as Nat hugged and kissed her.
‘Think so. Verity and Teddy had a major fallout earlier. That’s why we’re late. To be honest, I’m surprised Verity still wanted to come, but she said she needed to get out of the villa. Also, she wanted to meet Anna. Thanks,’ he said, accepting a glass of champagne from Daisy. ‘Love your headband. Very flapperish. You look lovely,’ he said, gently kissing Daisy again and placing an arm around her shoulders. ‘Dance with me later?’
‘Of course. Not sure I’m up to the Charleston though,’ Daisy said, watching a couple by the pool giving it their best as the pianist romped through ‘Ain’t She Sweet’. ‘It always looks so complicated to me. All that leg swinging and knee holding.’
‘Don’t worry. It’s one of the dances I can do,’ Nat said. ‘In fact, I’m a bit of an expert. My gran was a great ragtime dancer and taught me everything she knew.’
‘First the Harley and now a Charleston expert – you’re full of surprises, Nat.’ Daisy laughed.
‘I think Leo is about to make the announcement,’ Poppy interrupted. ‘We’d better get the cake and have the extra champagne at the ready.’
‘Back in five,’ Daisy said, handing Nat her champagne glass. ‘Ready for the toast.’
‘I’ll keep this short,’ Leo said, calling for everyone’s attention. ‘Welcome everyone. We have two reasons for celebration tonight.Future Promiseswas well received at the festival and we raise our glasses to Helen and Rupert – stars of the future.’
He paused as Helen and Rupert acknowledged the cheers and the applause.
‘The other, personal, reason for celebration,’ Leo continued, ‘is that Anna has done me the honour of agreeing to become my wife.’
‘So that’s what the cake was for,’ Poppy muttered, sotto voce, to Daisy.
‘See – I knew that candle would come in useful!’
As everyone shouted congratulations, Daisy fetched the cake and carried it out carefully with its sparkling candle.
Leo took Anna into his arms. ‘All I want to say, Anna my darling, is that I love you and will do my utmost to make you happy for the rest of our lives.’
The gentle strains of ‘Come Fly With Me’ floated on the evening air as the happy couple swayed gently together and everyone raised their glasses. ‘Anna and Leo.’
25
An hour or so later when the party was in full swing, and Leo and Rick were deep in discussion about the woes of both the publishing and film worlds, Anna slipped away for a few moments by herself.
So many people here wishing her and Leo well; some she knew as friends, others she knew as business acquaintances, others she had no idea who they were. She could see Bernard on the terrace, standing apart from everyone and taking a call on his mobile. She hoped she’d get the opportunity to talk to him before the evening finished. See if he had any idea what Philippe had written in his will before she went to the lawyers tomorrow.
There was somebody sitting on the upholstered swing seat hidden away in a quiet corner at the top of the garden. Not wanting company, Anna was about to turn and leave when she heard the sound of sobbing. Moving closer, she asked quietly, ‘Are you all right? Can I help? Or would you rather be left alone?’
The tear stained face that Verity Raymond turned towards her made Anna hurry forward, and sitting alongside her, she gently placed an arm around Verity’s shoulders and waited for the younger woman to compose herself.
‘Teddy is furious with me,’ Verity said, struggling to control her sobs. ‘He thought I’d given up on something, but today when I told him some exciting news, he realised I hadn’t. He’s even accused me of trying to get my own way by going behind his back. He was still on about it this evening and we had another major row.’ Verity wiped her face with the back of her hand. ‘All I want is for him to be happy and for us to have another baby. He adores Cindy and I’m sure he’d feel the same about another child, but now he just refuses to discuss it.’
‘Cindy is a delightful child,’ Anna said. ‘You must be so proud of her.’
‘Yes, I am, but I do worry that she is being spoilt as an only child. I had been hoping she would have some brothers or sisters before now but…’ Verity shook her head. ‘Anyway, I mustn’t bore you with my personal problems. What are you doing up here? It’s your party. You should be down there living it up.’
‘Oh, I just needed some time out,’ Anna said. ‘You know how it is.’
Verity nodded her agreement. ‘Maybe this is the wrong moment, but I was hoping to talk to you sometime about your new film project. Would there be a part for me in the film?’
Anna looked at her, astonished. ‘It’s a period drama. Not your sort of thing, surely?’
‘My very first role in rep was Rosalie, the maid inLady Windermere’s Fan. I’ve had a soft spot for costume drama ever since. The contemporary stuff I do now is great fun, but I’d love a chance to wear long skirts for a change!’
