Page 39 of One Summer in Monte Carlo
‘If you turn left out of the exit and then take the next right, we’ll be back on the Bord de Mer.’
It was a mere couple of hundred metres to the busy main road and Nanette was surprised at how quickly she found herself back in the mindset of automatically judging the speed of the traffic. Quickly slipping into a gap between cars, she found herself enjoying driving along the coast road for the first time in three years.
Five minutes later, a noisy scooter, swerving in and out of the traffic, unnerved her and when the driver clipped her passenger-door wing mirror as he passed too close on the wrong side of the road, she abruptly pulled over and parked in the first roadside space she could find.
She was shaking as she pulled on the handbrake and stopped the engine before turning to Jean-Claude. ‘It’s the third anniversary of my accident next week. That scooter just reminded me how quickly accidents can happen and change things.’
‘That wasn’t your fault,’ he said. ‘You must remember how irresponsible the young scooter drivers down here are – they cut everyone up from all angles.’
‘I’d forgotten. I was really enjoying myself until then, so thanks, JC, for insisting I faced the fear,’ Nanette said, undoing her seat belt and opening her door. ‘I’ve had enough for today though. You drive the rest of the way please.’
Twenty minutes later, the car was parked and they were strolling along the ancient Antibes ramparts on their way to one of Jean-Claude’s favourite restaurants. As they settled themselves at a window table, Nanette gave him a happy smile.
The restaurant, popular with both locals and tourists, was busy, but the staff were attentive and within minutes Nanette and Jean-Claude had aperitifs and the bread basket in front of them and the waiter had disappeared to fetch the glass of wine Jean-Claude had chosen to accompany Nanette’s main course, while he stuck with water.
‘I need to talk to you about something,’ Nanette said quietly. ‘You know I told you about Zac wanting me to work for him and his new business venture?’
Jean-Claude nodded.
‘When I told Patsy, she virtually had a heart attack at the thought of me even considering working for Zac. Wanted me to let her tell him what he could do with his job,’ Nanette said, hesitating. ‘Mathieu, on the other hand, would like me to take the job. He thinks I could help him,’ she added quietly.
Jean-Claude was instantly alert. ‘How?’
Natalie shrugged. ‘I’m not sure. He simply said me working for Zac, having access to papers and the names of his associates, might be very useful for him.’ She took a sip of her wine. ‘I didn’t say yes, but I didn’t say no either. I know you’re worried about Mathieu, would it help you too, if I did some work for Zac, because it does look as if they are both embroiled in something?’
Jean-Claude reached out for her hand and held it tightly. ‘Nanette, listen to me. I can’t forbid you to work for Zac, but please don’t. I don’t care what Mathieu says about it helping him – he is so wrong to try to involve you.’ He looked at her intently. ‘Promise me you won’t even think about it. I don’t want you in any sort of danger. I’d never forgive myself.’
Shocked by the intensity of his words, and the look in his eyes, Nanette could only say quietly, ‘I promise, JC.’ She paused. ‘Mathieu knows he’s being followed, you know,’ Nanette said. ‘He doesn’t know who’s arranged it, though,’ she added quickly.
The waiter appeared with their food at that moment and Jean-Claude released her hand.
‘Has the private detective discovered anything?’ Nanette asked once they were alone again and eating their meals.
‘Non. Nothing new anyway. Mathieu has had dinner several times at the Automobile Club. Boris was there on one occasion. Zac on another. My detective wasn’t the only one surveying things. He recognised an ex-gendarmerie colleague who now runs an agency in Nice.’
‘Was he watching Mathieu as well?’
‘Apparently not. He followed Boris when he left. Which makes me wonder, who was paying him to do that?’
‘Your man can’t ask his ex-colleague?’
‘He can ask, but he can’t tell me. Client confidentiality and all that,’ Jean-Claude said, shaking his head.
Jean-Claude was silent for a few seconds, thoughtfully fingering the stem of his wine glass.
‘What a mess,’ he sighed. ‘If only he’d tell me what was going on, I could help. I’m not without connections. I know people in the right places, as they say.’ He shrugged and looked at Nanette helplessly.
‘I know it’s hard not to worry, but the only thing you can do really is to let things take their course and be there to step in with help whenever you can.’ Nanette said, impulsively reaching out for his hand and squeezing it.
‘I am sorry, Nanette, today I want to be a happy memory for us, not one full of worry. Tell me more about your sister, Patsy.’
The rest of lunch passed in a flash as they talked and laughed together and Nanette realised it was a long time since she’d felt as comfortable with a man as she did with Jean-Claude. They spent the afternoon wandering around the old town of Antibes and it was gone five before they reluctantly began to make their way back to Monaco.
The news of Zac’s victory in the Canadian Grand Prix came over the car radio as they drove through Cap-d’Ail.
‘I think he make champion this year,’ Jean-Claude said thoughtfully. ‘He’s driving really well.’
Nanette nodded. ‘He’ll be on a real high when he gets back next week,’ she said. ‘Making him accept no for an answer to his proposal will be difficult.’
