Page 68 of One Summer in Monte Carlo
‘Yes,’ Nanette managed to answer. ‘JC took me straight to the hospital as apparently Zac was asking for me, but he was in a coma by the time I got there,’ Nanette told her. ‘It doesn’t look too good, to be honest. All we can do is pray that he pulls through. I’m going back in the morning, but there’s nothing I can do. I’ll ring you tomorrow.’
* * *
Nanette spent a restless night in Jean-Claude’s guest suite, unable to sleep, fearful that the phone would ring, summoning her back to Zac’s bedside.
Early-morning sunlight was streaming in through the French doors of the sitting room when she went downstairs. Jean-Claude was in the kitchen, listening to the news on the radio and preparing a breakfast tray for her.
‘After you eat, I take you to the hospital,’ he said, pouring her a large mug of coffee.
Nanette smiled her thanks and cupped her hands around it. Information about Zac’s accident was dominating the local radio stations’ news bulletins and Nanette tensed as the voice of the woman he’d rescued came on the air. Praising his actions and calling him a hero, the woman sobbed with gratitude as she publicly thanked Zac for saving both her and her baby daughter and wished him a speedy recovery.
Silently, Jean-Claude leant across and switched off the radio. ‘Breakfast,ma chérie, then we leave for the hospital.’
There was a small group of journalists hanging around the main entrance to the hospital as they arrived. One of them clearly recognised Nanette, but a glare from Jean-Claude and a sharp warning ‘Non’ stopped him in the act of pointing his camera at her.
Zac’s room was full of doctors and nurses and a worried Nanette and Jean-Claude had to wait outside for some time before they were allowed in.
‘Is there any improvement in his condition?’ Nanette asked.
‘Monsieur Ewart had a stable night,’ a young nurse informed them, ‘but he remains unconscious.’
Nanette sat by his bedside all day, leaving only for a short time when Jean-Claude insisted she needed some fresh air and something to eat.
It was early afternoon when Zac stirred briefly and returned the gentle pressure as Nanette held his hand. That hardly-felt squeeze filled Nanette with hope, but the rest of the afternoon passed without any further progress in his condition.
At eight o’clock, as Jean-Claude suggested they should think about preparing to leave for the day, Zac unexpectedly opened his eyes and looked at them.
Nanette felt her heart skip a beat as she smiled down at him. ‘Hello, Zac.’
‘Sorry. Shouldn’t have lied.’ The words were spoken so softly that Nanette could barely hear them. She bent over him, eager to catch his next words. ‘Please forgive me.’
‘Of course, Zac. It’s in the past. Just get well.’ Nanette glanced up as the machine started to emit a series of quick beeps and a nurse bustled in to check it.
‘Would you mind leaving and coming back tomorrow please?’ The tone of the nurse’s voice suggested it was more an order than a request.
As she went to leave, Zac murmured her name, ‘Nanette – thank you.’
Nanette smiled at him and shook her head. ‘Thankyou, Zac. There is one very grateful mother and baby out there telling the world what a hero you are.’ Gently she lent down and placed a kiss on his forehead – the only part of his face that wasn’t covered in a bandage. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, Zac.’
Moving towards the door where Jean-Claude was waiting for her, she smiled again and mouthed ‘goodbye’. She just caught the whispered words ‘Be happy, Nanette’ before Zac’s eyes closed again.
Jean-Claude held her hand tightly as he quickly led her past the journalists still waiting in the foyer.
‘Any news?’ one called out.
‘Non,’ Jean-Claude answered shortly.
To Nanette’s surprise, Jean-Claude didn’t drive straight back to the villa, instead he drove down to Cap d’Ail and parked the car.
‘Come on, a walk along the beach to blow the cobwebs away,’ he said. ‘You need some fresh air before we go home for supper.’
Strolling along with Jean-Claude’s arm around her shoulders holding her tight, Nanette felt strangely detached from reality. The last thirty-six hours had passed in a blur. Only now was she beginning to fully comprehend what had happened.
Zac’s delirious ramblings had taken her to his bedside out of compassion and in remembrance of their past love. Now, as the breeze off the Mediterranean ruffled her hair, she thought about that love. How Zac’s actions had changed it – how she had changed in the aftermath of her accident.
‘If – when – Zac comes out of hospital, he will still need a lot of care for some time,’ Jean-Claude said quietly, interrupting her thoughts. ‘Round-the-clock attendance probably.’
Nanette nodded. ‘I’ll find the best for him. We’ll nurse him back to health. Thank goodness he can afford all the care and help we need.’
