Page 48 of One Summer in Monte Carlo
‘The doctor should be here any minute,’ the attendant answered. ‘I’ve told the lady not to move.’
‘Why do you need a doctor?’ Nanette demanded. ‘Is it the baby?’
Patsy bit her lip. ‘I’ve started to bleed. Not a lot,’ she added quickly, seeing Nanette’s face. ‘Just enough for me to need some medical advice.’
The restroom door swung open and a man entered.
‘I’m the emergency doctor. I gather we have a problem with a pregnant lady? Perhaps I could ask everyone to wait outside for a while?’
‘Doctor, my sister doesn’t speak French,’ Nanette said. ‘Do you need me to translate?’
‘Non, merci. I speak enough English. Please give me five minutes alone with the patient.’
Nanette made her way back to Jean-Claude and Mathieu and quickly explained the situation to them, before returning to see what the doctor said.
‘Bed rest for the next twenty-four hours. Then check with a doctor again. No exertion.’
‘How about flying? I’m booked to return to the UK in a couple of days?’ Patsy asked.
The doctor shrugged his shoulders. ‘Go to the clinic tomorrow and see what the consultant advises.’
Jean-Claude insisted on calling a taxi to return to the apartment, where he and Mathieu solicitously helped Patsy across the foyer to the lift. Once back in the apartment, Nanette saw Patsy into her room before joining the men in the sitting room.
Mathieu was holding a piece of paper, which he handed to Nanette. ‘Florence left this note for you. Apparently, Zac has been ringing all evening.’
Nanette sighed as she read the housekeeper’s message:
Zac Ewart needs to talk to you urgently. Would you please ring him at whatever time you return. Mathieu will give you the number if you don’t have it.
‘What on earth can be so important? I’ll ring him in the morning,’ Nanette said. ‘I’m too tired and worried about Patsy right now.’
As Mathieu went to say something, Nanette held up her hands.
‘Mathieu, my days of running after Zac are long gone. Incidentally, have you finished with the Vacances au Soleilpapers yet?’
Jean-Claude shot his son a swift glance. ‘What were you hoping to find?’
Mathieu shrugged. ‘Just an address.’
‘Did you find it?’ Jean-Claude asked.
There was a barely perceptible pause before Mathieu shook his head. ‘No. I’ll get the papers for you now.’ He went into his temporary office, returning seconds later with Nanette’s envelope.
‘I said I’d take Patsy some warm milk to help her sleep,’ Nanette said. ‘Shall I make us a nightcap too?’
Mathieu shook his head. ‘Not for me. I’ve got a breakfast business meeting tomorrow, so, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to bed. Goodnight.’
‘Can I get you anything?’ Nanette said to Jean-Claude as the door closed behind Mathieu,
‘No, thanks. I’ll leave you to look after Patsy – and don’t worry, I’m sure she and the baby will be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Thank you for a lovely evening, JC,’ Nanette said. ‘I really enjoyed myself. The best birthday for years.’
Jean-Claude gave her a gentle kiss and he was gone.
As the door closed behind him, the telephone rang. Quickly, Nanette snatched the receiver off its hook before the shrill noise could disturb everyone. She knew exactly who would be ringing her this late.
‘Zac, stop pestering me…’
