Page 54 of Rendez-Vous in Cannes
‘Outside the station,’ Daisy replied. ‘Just got time to check my emails and talk to you about… Oh, Ben’s replied to my last email.’
‘And?’ Poppy said.
‘Not happy,’ Daisy said. ‘Thinks I’m punishing him for leaving. Wants to talk. Promises to make things up to me.’
‘Seems he didn’t get the message then.’
‘He’ll get this one,’ Daisy muttered typing furiously.
Ben, you are wasting your time. I am NOT, repeat NOT, going to marry you. I’m not punishing you for leaving me, but I’ve moved on – met someone else, someone special, and I’m making plans for my future – without you. I honestly wish you all the best. Have a good life, but, I’m sorry, I won’t be in it.
‘Well, that’s told him,’ Poppy said, reading over her shoulder.
Daisy pressed send and shut down her email programme. Surely that would be the end of things with Ben. She couldn’t spell it out any clearer, could she?
‘I just hope he gets the message this time,’ Daisy said.
‘So what are these plans you’re making?’ Poppy asked.
Daisy glanced at her sister. ‘Poppy, I need to talk to you about—’
‘Have I got time for a croissant?’ Tom asked, running into the kitchen. ‘I’m starving.’
‘If you’re quick. We’ve only got a few minutes before we have to leave,’ Daisy said.
A shadow passed by the window and Anna appeared in the doorway.
‘Good morning, Anna. Coffee?’ Poppy offered, holding up the cafetière.
‘No thanks. I’m on my way out. I just came to say Leo and I are going over to Antibes later, so please don’t worry if there’s no sign of life in the villa.’
‘We’re going to Antibes too,’ Tom said through a mouthful of croissant. ‘For Cindy’s birthday treat. We’re going on the train to see the whales.’
‘I’m sure you and Cindy will have lots of fun,’ Anna said. ‘Come and tell me all about the whales tomorrow.’
‘Can I come for a swim as well?’ Tom asked.
‘Of course. Now I’d better get going, otherwise my meeting in Cannes will overrun and Leo will be cross with me. Have fun,’ Anna said as she left.
‘She looks a bit better today,’ Poppy said. ‘Thought she looked dreadful when I saw her yesterday.’
‘Wonder if there have been any developments with Verity and Teddy,’ Daisy said. ‘Maybe Nat will have some news.’ She closed her laptop and stood up. ‘Right, Tom, time we were going.’
‘Hey, what were you going to tell me?’ Poppy said.
‘Talk later, sis. No time now. Come on, Tom, we’d better run if we’re not going to be late.’
* * *
Nat and Cindy were waiting for them in front of the train station, Cindy clutching her pink Cannes bag and smiling happily.
An hour later, they were all finding their seats in the terracing that surrounded the whale enclosure, waiting for the display to begin. Tom and Cindy were soon excitedly involved with some of the pirates who were encouraging the audience to get into the spirit of the show to come.
‘This is fun,’ Daisy said. ‘Just the kind of thing children love.’
Nat nodded. ‘I did toy with the idea of taking them on a real whale watching boat trip out to the Cetacean Sanctuary in the bay, but Verity wasn’t sure how Cindy would cope with a long boat ride.’ He shrugged. ‘I’m in two minds about places like this actually. Nothing will convince me that whales should be kept in captivity.’ He shrugged. ‘Sorry. Don’t mean to be a killjoy.’
‘It is an unnatural environment,’ Daisy agreed. ‘Changing the subject, while Cindy and Tom are engrossed in the pirates, is there any news on the long-lost son saga?’
