Page 36 of One Summer in Monte Carlo
After the usual, ‘how are you keeping’ questions had been exchanged, Patsy said, ‘Okay. What’s up to warrant this early chat?’
Nanette took a deep breath and told her about her evening with Zac. ‘Can you believe Zac wants me to work for him again?’
‘I hope you told him where he could put his job?’
‘Not in so many words, but I did say no. The only problem is he wasn’t listening.’ Nanette sighed. ‘I think I may have to ask JC to help me get the message across.’
‘I’ll do it,’ Patsy said. ‘Give me his phone number. There is nothing I’d enjoy more than telling Zac Ewart where to go.’
Nanette laughed at the eager tone to her sister’s voice. ‘Thanks, but I think he’ll listen to JC telling him to leave me alone more than you.’
‘Well, I’ve got your back and I’m on standby,’ Patsy said.
They chatted for a few more moments before Nanette ended the call and got up. Time to shower and get organised for the day.
As she dressed, her gaze fell on the envelope on the dressing table where she’d thrown it last night, intending to ignore it until she handed it back to Zac. She had to admit to being a tiny bit curious about the business Zac planned to build his life around after he retired from racing. There was no way she intended to become involved with him again, but remembering Zac saying he’d like her opinion on it anyway, Nanette reached out a hand and picked up the envelope. Carefully, she opened the envelope and withdrew all the papers and started to read.
23
‘How did your dinner date with Zac go?’ Mathieu asked. ‘Are you two finally friends again now?’
Mathieu posed his questions as he, Nanette and the twins walked around the headland towards the open-air cinema. The twins, excited at the prospect of seeing the latestStar Warsblockbuster, had rushed ahead.
‘Not really,’ Nanette replied slowly. ‘Nothing’s really changed. Zac certainly hasn’t.’ Inwardly, she was still in turmoil from the evening she’d spent with him despite being determined that Zac had no place in her life any more. ‘Besides, it wasn’t a date on my part.’ Nanette glanced at Mathieu. ‘Did you know Zac is starting up a new business for when he retires from racing?’
‘I’d heard a rumour. Some sort of holiday business.’
‘Can you believe he’s asked me to help him run it,’ Nanette said, exasperated.
‘How does Zac want you to be involved? Behind the scenes, organising the business, I presume?’
Nanette nodded. ‘He gave me an envelope last night with details of what he has planned. Initially, the office would be on boardPole Position. According to the job description he’d thoughtfully included, he would also want me to travel to inspect the places and make sure they’re exclusive enough. Starting next month.’
‘Could be fun,’ Mathieu said. ‘Does it have a name, this business?’
Nanette hesitated. Mathieu might be Zac’s best friend, but would he want her talking about his business? He hadn’t told her not to, and Mathieu seemed to know a bit about it anyway. Years ago, discretion and loyalty had been key words in her life with Zac Ewart. Not any more. She didn’t feel she owed him a single ounce of loyalty. Not since he’d so cruelly walked away from her after the accident.
‘Vacances au Soleil, an exclusive holiday club, which will, for a large amount of money, naturally, arrange dream holidays for their members, anywhere in the world. Dubai, St Tropez, Rio, Sun City and, of course, Monaco.’ And Nanette told Mathieu what she’d learned from the papers in the envelope. ‘I admit it’s the kind of job I’d be interested in if I was looking for something different – and if it were for anyone else other than Zac. He’s conveniently brushed aside the events of the last three years – and the fact that I look after the twins.’ She paused. ‘Besides, it’s only a few weeks before the long summer break begins. Even if I was tempted, which I’m not and I’ve told him that, there is no way I could possibly let Vanessa and Ralph – or you – down in that way.’
Mathieu was silent for a moment before glancing at her.
‘Do you have any plans for the future? The twins are growing up – they won’t need a nanny for much longer. Maybe Zac would keep the job open for you? Or you could start with just an hour or so a day while the twins are at school.’
Nanette gazed at him, exasperated. ‘Mathieu, what part of this don’t you understand? I don’t ever want to work for Zac Ewart again. I don’t belong in his world any more. I don’t think I even like him any more. I certainly don’t trust him.’ She breathed a sigh of relief as they reached the entrance to the open-air cinema. Hopefully, Mathieu would have to let the conversation end now.
Mathieu paid for their tickets and sent the twins off to buy a snack from the refreshment cabin before turning to her, a serious look on his face.
‘I can’t tell you the details, but this “thing” I’m involved with is getting more complicated,’ he said quietly. ‘I could do with some inside help.’ He glanced at her. ‘You working for Zac, having access to papers and his associates, might be very useful to me.’
‘Are you saying Zac too, is involved in this “thing”?’ Nanette demanded, shocked.
Mathieu didn’t answer directly, simply giving a slight shrug of his shoulders.
‘Is Jean-Claude right, too, in thinking you’ve become embroiled in something illicit?’ Nanette asked worriedly.
Mathieu sighed. ‘It’s not as simple as being illicit or illegal, and now, to complicate matters even more, I think I’m being followed.’
The twins arrived back at that moment, clutching crisps and popcorn and clamouring to go and find their seats.
