Page 49 of Rendez-Vous in Cannes
‘Which will I hope, include me,’ Nat said, squeezing her hand. ‘You can always come to the States with me.’
Daisy nodded. ‘I could.’ She smiled at Nat.’ If you really want me to.’
‘I really, really want you to,’ Nat said. ‘In fact I—’
‘Mummy says we’re going to live in England soon,’ Cindy interrupted. ‘How will you look after me then, Nat?’
‘You won’t need me, you’ll be at school,’ Nat said. ‘I promise to come and visit you though.’
‘Will you bring Daisy?’
Nat and Daisy laughed as they both said, ‘Yes’ at the same time.
‘We promise,’ Nat said. ‘Now eat your ice cream.’
Daisy looked at Nat. ‘What were you going to say?’
‘I know we’ve only just met, but like I told you the other evening, I can’t imagine my future life without you in it. I can’t bear the thought of us going our separate ways when the festival ends. Being on different continents is a definite no-no. I want us to be together. To love each other,’ he added quietly, looking at her intently as he spoke.
‘Oh Nat. Are you sure…’
He leant across and silenced her with a gentle kiss. ‘Very sure.’
‘Ugh, you two are soppy,’ Cindy said.
Later as they strolled hand in hand down through the crowded streets towards the Croisette, Daisy asked Nat, ‘How are things at your place today?’
‘Back to normal,’ Nat said, with a glance at Cindy, who was holding Daisy’s other hand, before mouthing quietly, ‘Tell you more later. How’s Anna today?’
‘Haven’t seen her. Poppy was going to go and see if she needed a doctor but…’ Daisy shrugged.
‘Is Anna ill?’ Cindy asked. ‘I like Anna. She’s really nice. Did she eat too much at her party?’
‘I think perhaps she did,’ Daisy said. ‘Now, Cindy, I saw a pink bag in a shop earlier. Would you like me to buy it for your birthday?’
‘Ooh pleeease. Pink’s my favourite colour and I need a bag for school,’ an excited Cindy said when she saw the bag with its silver stars and letters spelling out the word ‘Cannes’.
‘Not sure it qualifies as a schoolbag,’ Daisy laughed. ‘But Mummy can decide about that.’
A short time later, as an excited Cindy handed Daisy her precious bag to look after and clambered on board the carousel, Daisy asked Nat, ‘So how are things with the Wickhams then? Last night’s problems forgotten?’
‘If not forgotten, at least not being argued about loudly. Verity is definitely the Felicity Howell who contacted the Cambones. I overheard Teddy telling her there is no way he intends to pursue the search for his mother now that Philippe is dead and he made Verity promise to stop trying to arrange a meeting between him, the Cambones and this unknown woman who could turn out to be his mother.’
‘Poppy doesn’t believe me, but things are starting to add up in my mind,’ Daisy said. ‘I think Teddy Wickham’s mother is—’
‘Anna,’ Nat said quietly.
‘You think the same?’
Nat nodded. ‘The way she fainted last night when she heard who Felicity Howell really is makes me think it could be.’
‘The thing is – do we tell Verity about our suspicions?’ Daisy asked. ‘Or wait and see what happens?’
‘I don’t really think we have any choice but to keep quiet,’ Nat said. ‘It’s none of our business for a start and, secondly, we don’t have any proof. Besides, these things always seem to have a way of working themselves out for the best.’
Daisy sighed. ‘I do so want a happy ending – especially for Anna. I really like her.’
When they returned to the villa to collect Tom for Cindy’s birthday tea, Poppy gave Cindy the present Anna had left for her.
