Page 52 of One Summer in Monte Carlo
He was waiting for her in the garden and Nanette’s heart skipped its customary beat like it did whenever she saw him. As much as she might tell herself not to rush things, she knew she was falling in love.
Standing in the circle of his arms as he held her tightly, she felt herself tremble with desire as he kissed her. Several moments passed before he released her with a sigh.
‘How did the appointment with the consultant go?’ he asked.
‘Everything seems to be all right, although he thinks Patsy should go home earlier, but I can’t change the flight – no seats available,’ Nanette answered slowly. ‘Haven’t said this to Patsy, but now I’m worried that they’ll refuse to take her anyway if we mention what’s happened.’
‘When does she want to go?’
‘Tomorrow would have been ideal,’ Nanette said.
‘Excuse me a moment.’ Jean-Claude punched some numbers into his mobile. As he began to talk in rapid French, Nanette wandered across to the terrace wall and looked down on the Mediterranean sparkling under the azure blue sky.
Jean-Claude joined her a few moments later. ‘Voila. Patsy flies tomorrow at fourteen hundred hours from Cannes-Mandelieu. I will drive you both there. You will arrange for her husband to meet her, yes?’
Nanette looked at him in amazement. ‘How?’
‘I have a friend with a private jet. He, like me, is happy to help,’ Jean-Claude said. ‘He flies to the UK several times a week on business and tomorrow he happens to have a spare seat.’
Nanette smiled. She’d forgotten how different the rich really were, with their private planes and expensive habits. ‘I can’t thank you enough, JC. And Patsy will be thrilled.’ Impulsively, she reached up and gave him a kiss, before asking, ‘Right, what do you want me to do this afternoon?’
‘Nothing,’ Jean-Claude said. ‘Today I want to give you your birthday presents,’ and catching hold of her hand he led her towards the garage where he kept his Lotus. ‘I’m sorry it’s a day or two late, but I wanted to show it to you in private,’ he said, opening the door of a white convertible parked next to his treasured racing car. To Nanette’s amazement, he handed her the car keys. ‘I know you’re ready to start driving again now, so this is here for you to use whenever you need it.’
‘JC, I don’t know what to say,’ Nanette said.
‘You don’t have to say anything. Just put the keys in your bag so you have them when you need them.’
Jean-Claude reached into the car and picked up a small orange drawstring bag that was on the driver’s seat and handed it to her.
‘The car is something to make your life easier when you need to go places. This is your real birthday present from me,ma chérie.’
Nanette was quiet as she opened the bag she recognised as coming from the exclusive jeweller near the Casino. Inside the bag itself was a padded, silk-lined box.
Nanette caught her breath as she lifted the lid and saw her present.
‘JC, thank you,’ Nanette said, gazing in amazement at a watch nestling in the folds of silk. A classic Rolex Lady-Datejust in yellow gold. ‘It’s gorgeous. I’ve never been so spoilt. I’m overwhelmed.’
‘Does the strap fit? We can have it altered if necessary,’ Jean-Claude asked anxiously. ‘Let me help you put it on.’ Bent solicitously over her wrist, checking it fitted correctly, he said quietly, ‘It’s wonderful to have someone special to spoil,’ before taking her in his arms and kissing her.
As his lips claimed hers, Nanette abandoned herself to the delicious feelings swamping her and returned his kiss passionately.
34
‘Well done, you two,’ Nanette said as the twins came running towards her and Patsy, having been collected by Mathieu from the stage door of the theatre, after performing in their school play. ‘You were both brilliant.’
‘Wish Mummy could have been here,’ Olivia said wistfully.
‘I videoed all the bits you and Pierre were in,’ Jean-Claude said. ‘So Mummy will get to see you. She’ll be home in a few weeks.’
‘I took some photos on my mobile phone,’ Patsy said. ‘Here, take a look,’ and she handed her phone to Olivia.
As the twins giggled excitedly over the photos, Mathieu asked, ‘Would you two like to go for burgers as a special treat?’
‘Can we go to that new one down in Fontvieille?’ Pierre said.
‘Sure, if that’s OK with everyone else?’ Mathieu said.
Half an hour later, as everyone tucked into gigantic portions of burgers and chips, Jean-Claude’s mobile rang. With an apologetic ‘Sorry’ he excused himself and went outside to answer it.
