Page 7 of Rendez-Vous in Cannes
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Anna was relieved when the plane finally landed at Nice airport fifty minutes late. It had been an uncomfortable flight and she couldn’t wait to collect her luggage and meet up with the car she’d ordered for the journey to the Villa Flora.
The Arrivals Hall when she walked through was crowded. Official-looking chauffeurs were everywhere, holding up boards with various names on them, none of them hers. Did the flight delay mean the chauffeur hadn’t waited?
As people were shepherded off to their transport and the waiting crowds thinned slightly, Anna stood there at a loss to know what to do.
‘Excuse me. You wouldn’t be Anna Carson by any chance?’ a voice at her side asked hesitantly.
‘Yes,’ she said, turning to face a young woman holding a small piece of paper with ‘Anna Carson’ scrawled across it.
‘Hi, I’m Daisy – Poppy’s sister. I’m afraid there was a difficulty with your hire car and Poppy asked me to meet you.’
‘Oh, thank goodness. Being so late arriving, I was worried I might be stranded,’ Anna said, smiling.
Following Daisy as she led the way through the car park, Anna listened as Daisy explained what had happened.
‘So, instead of a proper chauffeur and a limo, you’ve got me and my sister’s runaround,’ Daisy apologised as she opened the boot and put Anna’s two cases inside.
‘I’m just grateful to be met,’ Anna said. ‘I’m not that fond of limos anyway. I like sitting in the front passenger seat and official chauffeurs aren’t too keen on that.’
As Daisy concentrated on finding her way out of the car park and back to the autoroute, Anna sat quietly looking out of the window.
When Daisy let out a muttered curse, she said, ‘Something wrong?’
‘I’ve missed the autoroute entry slip road. Do you mind if we go back along the bord de mer instead? It’s not as quick, but at least I know my way.’
‘I’d enjoy the scenic route,’ Anna said. ‘Do you live down here with your sister?’
‘No. I’m staying with her for the festival. I’m a journalist,’ Daisy replied. ‘It’s my first time covering the festival.’ Waiting in a queue for the traffic lights to change, Daisy looked across at Anna. ‘I gather this is your first festival too?’
‘What makes you say that?’ Anna said, surprised.
‘Your bio in one of the trade papers says although you’ve been in the industry for some time, you’ve never been to Cannes before.’
‘I’ve never had a film make its premiere here before,’ Anna answered.
‘Your filmFuture Promisesis showing at the weekend, isn’t it? I expect you’re looking forward to walking up the infamous steps?’
‘Think so. I’m not used to being in the glare of the spotlight,’ Anna said. ‘I’d rather leave all that to the actors. To be truthful, I find the whole thing rather daunting. Much rather be in the background of things.’ She smiled. ‘So long as my partner, Leo, manages to get here in time, I’ll be fine.’
‘Personally I’m amazed at how large the whole festival is,’ Daisy said. ‘The number of trade stands is huge and everyone seems to be networking like mad.’
‘My favourite festival is Deauville,’ Anna replied. ‘Less trade, far more about the films. Same with Venice, but Cannes is the big one, as I’m sure you’re aware. The important one in the industry.’
‘The public come to see the stars, but people in the film industry simply want to do deals. At least that’s what Marcus, the photographer I’m working with, tells me. Is your company exhibiting here?’ Daisy asked.
‘Yes. I have to show my face at a couple of meetings with some American clients. And probably go to a couple of parties.’ Anna paused as she took in the view of the Mediterranean glinting in the sunshine.
‘Where are we now?’
‘Skirting Antibes. A few more minutes and we’ll be passing the celebrated Eden Roc Hotel, where, I’m told, the best people stay and fabulous parties are held. Another ten minutes and we should be on the outskirts of Cannes.’
‘Spectacular views,’ Anna said, looking out across the bay as they drove down the hill.
While Daisy concentrated on the narrow winding coast road as it made its way around the Cap d’Antibes and on through Juan-les-Pins, Anna enjoyed the changing scenery.
The sudden whoosh of a TGV train rushing past on the railway line that followed the road as it approached Golf-Juan made her jump. Approaching Cannes, the traffic began to build up and soon they were reduced to a crawl.
