Page 21 of One Summer in Monte Carlo
She didn’t tell him she remembered vividly all the details of the afternoon when Zac had presented her with the racy convertible – an early birthday present.
She’d loved it and had immediately jumped into it and driven Zac around Monaco, showing the car off to all their friends. Nine hours later, the car was a mangled wreck on the autoroute and she was in intensive care in the Princess Grace Hospital, fighting for her life.
She pulled her thoughts back to the present and stared at Zac as he placed his spoon on the tray.
‘Nobody has ever explained why I was flown back to the UK within forty-eight hours of coming out of intensive care. Why wasn’t I just allowed to stay here and recover?’
‘Everyone thought you’d be better off recovering at home,’ Zac said evasively, finally glancing at her, an unfathomable look in his eyes.
‘This was my home at that time. Who’s this everyone?’ Nanette demanded.
There was a brief silence as Zac pulled his croissant apart before turning to face her. ‘It was my decision,’ he said quietly. ‘I made all the arrangements.’
Nanette nodded slowly. ‘I thought as much. Didn’t want the responsibility of caring for me, is that it? Scared I was going to be permanently scarred or disabled?’
Zac shook his head. ‘I just thought you’d be better off where Patsy could administer some tender loving care. Nurse you back to health. Come on, Nanette, you know what my racing schedule is like from March to November, I’m never in town for more than two or three days at a time. There was no way I could play doctors and patient all summer.’
‘Nobody would have expected you to drop everything to look after me. But why didn’t you at least keep in touch?’
Zac held up his hands. ‘Stop. Enough questions. All I can say is, I’m sorry I hurt you, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s history. I’m glad you’re back in Monaco looking so well and I hope we can be friends.’ As he said this, he looked at her quizzically before adding, ‘Or, at the very least, be civil to each other when we meet.’
When she didn’t answer, he sighed before reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket and taking out a brown envelope.
‘Pit-lane passes for Mathieu and the twins for the Grand Prix. If I don’t see you before, maybe I’ll see you over Vintage Grand Prix weekend – and please think about coming to my party next Monday.Pole Positionhas been refurbished recently – she’s looking really smart, I’d like you to see the changes. Right, thanks for breakfast. Stay there. I’ll see myself out. Ciao.’
As the apartment door slammed behind him, Nanette sank down trembling on to a chair, relief that Zac had left flooding through her body. The meeting she’d been dreading was over and she could only be grateful that it had taken place privately, not in public. At least now that it had happened she wouldn’t have to skulk around Monaco worrying she was about to bump into him and wondering what his reaction would be. He was right, of course, they were bound to meet up from time to time and it would be far better all round if they were civil to each other.
Not that she felt very civil towards him right now, after that casual remark about forgiving and forgetting the past. As if it was that easy. He still hadn’t explained why he had not been in touch once he’d shipped her back to Patsy.
Sitting there, trying to analyse her true feelings about Zac Ewart, Nanette frowned. There were still questions about the accident to which she wanted answers and until her memory returned fully, Zac Ewart was the only person who could give them, which clearly he had no intention of doing. She needed to know too, why he’d abandoned her so cruelly when surely he must have known how much she needed him. Blaming his absence on the summer racing schedule was too convenient. There had to be another reason.
Sighing, she returned the breakfast tray to the kitchen. Her fingers were shaking as she picked up her phone from the kitchen table. She needed to talk to Patsy.
‘Zac ambushed me in the apartment this morning,’ she burst out as soon as Patsy answered. ‘It was awful.’
‘What d’you mean “ambushed”?’ Patsy’s voice was full of concern.
’He made sure that I was alone – even Mathieu had agreed to leave – so that no-one could overhear his little “let’s be friends” speech. He seemed to think as the whole episode was three years ago…’ Nanette took a gulp of air. ‘That we should kiss and make up.’
‘Well, that clearly didn’t happen,’ Patsy said. ‘So what happens now?’
Nanette shrugged in answer, before realising Patsy couldn’t see her. ‘No idea. How about I just shut myself away in the apartment until the Grand Prix is over?’
‘No,’ Patsy said. ‘You have the twins to look after. You can’t just stay indoors.’
Nanette smothered a sigh. ‘I know. Okay. The last thing I want is to get caught up in a public scene, so if I bump into him anywhere, I’ll… I’ll just walk on by.’
‘That sounds very civilised.’ Patsy said. ‘What are you up to today?’
‘Working in JC’s office sorting it out,’ Nanette answered. ‘I’d better get going, he’ll be wondering where I am. Thank goodness I know the back streets! Patsy?’
‘Yes?’
‘Thanks for listening.’
For some reason, as she ended the call, Nanette saw Zac’s face again as he failed to meet her eyes when he’d asked about her non-returning memory. Almost as if he felt guilty asking her the question. Could he possibly be blaming himself for the accident because if he’d never given her the car in the first place, they’d still be together, maybe even married by now?
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