Page 40 of Summer on the French Riviera
Hugo introduced her to Freya as Marcus pressed a glass of champagne into her hand before taking Hugo off to ask his advice about a problem they were having with their internet connection.
‘Hugo is a computer genius,’ Freya said. ‘We’d be lost without him. Sorts out all our IT problems.’
‘Really? I didn’t realise that,’ Harriet said. ‘I don’t know him that well yet.’ She took a sip of her champagne. ‘I love the picture of yours he has in the gallery – “Communication”?’
‘Thank you. Hugo has been talking about your work. Thinks we’d do well together in an exhibition, if you are up for it?’
‘I’ve only managed to paint five paintings since I’ve started again and I’m not sure they’re really up to a good enough standard. In theory, I’ve got all the time in the world to paint now…’ Harriet sighed. ‘But real life, it seems, has other ideas and distractions to keep me occupied at the moment. If you’ll pardon the cliché, a curveball has thrown everything up in the air, stopping my concentration in its tracks.’
‘Had a few of those – they’re vicious beasts,’ Freya laughed. ‘If you want to talk…?’
Harriet smiled, not sure how much to confide in Freya, or how much Hugo might have told her about what was going on. Freya was so easy to talk to, but Harriet barely knew her, so perhaps she’d not tell her too much tonight.
‘An ex-boyfriend has shown up in my life without warning.’
‘Not a welcome appearance then?’
‘Actually, under different circumstances it would have been good to have him back in my life,’ Harriet said slowly as she realised that truth behind her words. ‘But I think it’s far too late.’
Freya gave her a questioning look. ’Sometimes one should grab a second chance at happiness with both hands,’ she said. ‘Not everyone gets them. Trust me on that.’
‘It’s not only my happiness, though, that is at stake. It’s my daughter’s as well.’
'And don’t forget Hugo in all this will you?’ Freya said quietly. ‘I can see he’s fond of you, try not to hurt him, won’t you?’
Harriet nodded. ‘I promise. I don’t want to hurt him either.’
Freya went to say something else but at that moment Marcus and Hugo came back out onto the terrace.
‘This man’s a blooming genius with computers,’ Marcus declared. ‘Solved our problems within minutes. Right, let’s eat.’ And the conversation between Freya and Harriet was over, although Harriet found Freya’s words were lingering in her mind.
31
Thursday evening, as Harriet was preparing to take Lulu for her evening walk, a text pinged in on her mobile. Jack. She glanced at it and froze as she read the words.
I’m outside
Grabbing her jacket and Lulu’s lead she rushed out of the house.
Opening the villa gate she saw Jack standing on the opposite side of the road, once she was on the pavement Harriet quickly pressed the remote and the gate closed behind her as Jack strolled across.
‘Hi, Harriet. You all right? You don’t look too good.’
‘What are you doing here?’
‘I’ve come to see you. It’s been days since we talked, you don’t reply to my messages, I just want to know what’s happening, maybe get things moving in the right direction.’
Harriet’s heart sank. She was not in the mood for a confrontation with Jack.
‘The right direction for you, maybe.’
Lulu barked and pulled on her lead.
‘I have to walk the dog,’ Harriet said.
‘Fine. I’ll walk with you. Maybe we can stop for a drink, even have a pizza, and we could talk.’
‘I’m coming straight home once I’ve walked Lulu.’
