Page 15 of One Summer in Monte Carlo
‘Of course he is,’ Nanette said shortly, remembering when she’d done the organising for the on-board parties. ‘Knowing Zac, he won’t stop at the one.’
Mathieu looked at her. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked gently.
Nanette nodded. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. It’s just that photographer tonight…’ She sighed, shook her head and didn’t finish the sentence.
‘Don’t let it worry you,’ Mathieu said. ‘A couple more weeks when F1 is in town, the paparazzi will be busy chasing the scoop that will make their fortune.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ Nanette answered. She looked at him hesitantly before asking, ‘Are you in touch with Zac?’
Mathieu nodded. ‘He’s getting some pit-lane passes for me.’
‘Does he know I’m here?’
‘Yes, I told him you were coming to look after the twins for me.’
‘How did he react?’
Mathieu shrugged. ’He didn’t say anything, so I can’t tell you.’
Mathieu was the first to speak again after a short silence.
‘Talking of parties. We’ve got the Vintage Grand Prix this year the weekend before the main one and I’m giving a lunch on the Sunday. Just friends and a few business contacts.’ He glanced at her. ‘I hope you’ll join us?’
‘Thanks. Of course, you’re directly above the start line here,’ Nanette said, leaning on the balcony, watching the cars moving along the Boulevard Albert 1er below. ‘You’ll have a great view. People will be begging to come.’
‘The sound effects are always pretty awesome too,’ Mathieu said. ‘Even from the old cars.’
‘What about the twins though?’ Nanette asked. ‘Pierre will be keen, but Olivia will find the whole thing terribly boring.’
Mathieu smiled. ‘Maybe when she hears a certain pop star is on the guest list, she’ll come round.’ He paused. ‘Nanette, I meant what I said the other evening about us getting to know each other better – I’m aiming to be home more in the next few weeks, so I hope we can spend some time together. I’m sorry the offer of tickets for the tennis fell through, but I hope you won’t hold that against me.’
‘Of course not. I’ve been busy with the twins anyway.’ Although, in truth, she had been disappointed when Mathieu hadn’t mentioned the tennis tournament again after their night out.
‘I’ve promised the twins I’ll take them out next Monday as it’s a fête day. I’ve got some friends who have a place up in the country near Entrevaux who’ve invited us for the day. Olivia and Pierre love it up there. Will you come, too?’
Before Nanette could reply, his mobile rang and, with an apologetic smile, Mathieu turned from her and answered it.
Nanette closed the balcony doors, mouthed ‘goodnight’ to a distracted Mathieu and went to her room. As she undressed and hung her dress in the wardrobe, she heard the door of the apartment open and close, followed ten seconds later by the subdued noise of the private lift descending. Nanette finished getting ready for bed, wondering where Mathieu was off to so late in the day.
11
A dishevelled Mathieu appeared the next morning as Nanette was getting the twins ready to leave for school.
‘Morning,’ he said, helping himself to a cup of coffee and joining the twins as they ate their pain au chocolat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen. ‘I’ve got to go away again this morning for a couple of days,’ he said to the twins.
‘What about our day out to Entrevaux?’ Pierre asked sulkily. ‘You promised you’d take us. We’re not going to have to cancel again, are we?’
‘Definitely not,’ Mathieu said. ‘I’ll be back for that, and the good news is that Netty is coming with us.’
‘Mathieu, I’ve been thinking about that and I need to talk to you about it,’ Nanette said.
Mathieu glanced at her. ‘Talk later. Right now, there are one or two papers I need to find for my trip and you two had better get a move on or you’ll be late for school.’ With that, Mathieu disappeared into the sitting room. Seconds later, he could be heard talking on his phone.
Nanette stifled a sigh. ‘Come on, you two. Dad’s right. Let’s go.’
Once she’d walked the twins to school and seen them into the grounds, Nanette took her time returning home. Walking through the small park behind the apartment block, she sat down on a bench overlooking a tiny fountain where the sparrows were enjoying the water and rang Patsy.
‘How are you?’ she asked when her sister answered.
