Page 27 of One Summer in Monte Carlo
Her phone rang five seconds later.
‘Are you all right? Is it bringing back memories? Please don’t let them upset you,’ Patsy said.
‘I’m not,’ Nanette answered. ‘It’s surreal really, watching it going on from a distance, knowing the kind of thing that is happening on board. I definitely don’t miss it,’ she assured her sister, surprising herself with the truth. ‘How are things with you and the bump?’
‘Good. The sickness has gone, thank goodness. Putting on too much weight, according to Helen, but the midwife assures me I’m in the normal range for this trimester, so I’m listening to her and not Grannyzilla.’
‘Have you called her that to her face yet?’ Nanette laughed.
‘No, thankfully. It’s not funny,’ Patsy protested. ‘I’ve asked Bryan to have a word with her this Sunday when they do their weekly afternoon walk together. I’ve told him hehasto make her listen, otherwise I’m going to book myself into a B&B down on the coast and get completely away. I need some space,’ she added quietly. ‘I wish Mum and Dad were still alive. I could do with one of Mum’s hugs at the moment.’
‘Oh, Patsy love,’ Nanette said, realising her unflappable big sister was close to tears. ‘I wish I wasn’t so far away right now. I promise you I’ll come and give you lots of hugs when I get back. And I’ll keep Helen off your back. Hang on in there.’
‘Talking to you has helped,’ Patsy said. ‘I’m going to bed to read now for a bit. Night.’
‘Night,’ Nanette echoed.
Scrolling through her contacts on the phone, she found the florist she always used and ordered a big bunch of flowers to be delivered to Patsy the next day. Hopefully that would cheer her up.
Mathieu appeared as she closed her phone and turned her attention back to the scenes on the quay in front.
‘I’m off. Sure you won’t change your mind and come to the party?’ Mathieu asked.
Nanette shook her head. ‘Enjoy yourself. You look very smart, by the way, in your tuxedo.’
‘Thanks.’ Mathieu hesitated for a second, as though about to say something else, changed his mind and left.
Nanette heard him open the door and was surprised to hear Jean-Claude’s voice saying hello.
‘What are you doing here, Papa?’ Mathieu asked. ‘Aren’t you coming to Zac’s party either?’
‘I keep Nanette company first,’ Jean-Claude said. ‘Enjoy the party. I’ll catch you later,’ and he closed the door behind Mathieu, cutting off any more questions from his son.
Joining Nanette on the balcony, Jean-Claude smiled at her. ‘Great atmosphere down there.’
Nanette nodded. ‘Mmm. Can I get you a drink or anything?’
‘Maybe in a minute, but first I would like to talk to you.’ Jean-Claude glanced at her before continuing quietly. ‘I think you go and make an appearance at Zac’s party tonight. If only for five minutes.’
‘Oh, JC,’ Nanette sighed.
‘I know you tell me how upsetting and difficult you found seeing Zac recently,’ Jean-Claude said, ‘but going tonight would be another step to getting the past behind you. Zac, he has expressed a desire to be friends, and his guests are unlikely to create a scene or be rude to you in front of him.’
There was silence as Nanette gazed out unseeingly over the harbour. Knowing that Jean-Claude was right didn’t help and she shrugged helplessly as she turned to face him.
‘Why don’t you go and put on a party dress and we go together?’ Jean-Claude said gently. ‘We don’t have to stay long and I promise not to leave your side.’ As Nanette bit her lip and looked at him, he added, ‘It will be fine. Go and change. I’ll have a word with Florence to keep an ear out for the twins, but I’m sure they’ll be fast asleep by now anyway.’
Nanette hesitated. Deep down she knew Jean-Claude was right. Going to the party and being civil to Zac would be a major step forward and meeting him with Jean-Claude at her side would make things so much easier. She gave him a tremulous smile before saying, ‘Okay.’
In her room, Nanette stood uncertainly in front of her wardrobe wondering which dress to wear. She rejected the one she’d worn to accompany Jean-Claude to the Hôtel de Paris as being too dressy and chose instead a summery white one with a lace bolero jacket over the shoulders.
‘Do I look OK?’ she asked Jean-Claude anxiously as she rejoined him in the sitting room.
‘Nanette, you always look lovely to me whatever you’re wearing,’ Jean-Claude said quietly.
Struck by the sincere intensity in his voice, Nanette looked at him in surprise before smiling at him shyly and leading the way out of the apartment. Now the decision to go to the party had been taken, she was determined to be strong and face things, people, head on.
Together they walked past yacht after yacht, each one positively humming with revellers. Everywhere, there was noise, laughter, music and glamorous women. As they approachedPole Position, dressed overall with lights from stern to bow, and moored between two boats busy with their own parties, Nanette felt her heart quicken and apprehension pushed all her new found determination aside. What had she been thinking?
