Page 45 of Summer on the French Riviera
Jack interrupted his mother. ‘One hundred per cent certain it is my daughter, yes.’
‘Have you at least got a photograph?’
Jack shook his head. ‘Sorry.’
Martha sighed. ’So, I suppose the next thing is we’re flying to England to meet up, right?’
‘No. Harriet is actually living here in Juan-les-Pins with her French mother and Elodie. I had supper with Harriet last night.’
‘Why not Elodie?’
‘Me turning up in her life is a big shock, but I’m meeting her tomorrow morning. When that has happened, I would like her to meet her American grandmother too. And of course Nathan sometime soon.’
‘Ah, Nathan. How do you think he is likely to react to having a half-sister? We both know how Sabrina is likely to react to the news,’ Martha said, pulling a face at the thought.
Jack sighed. ‘I am not remotely interested in how Sabrina is likely to react. We are divorced, end of story. Nathan, on the other hand, will, I hope, be pleased to have a sibling. He’s often said he wished he wasn’t an only child. Well, now he’s got a big sister.’
‘And when our holiday here is over, what do you think is going to happen?’
‘What I want to happen before the end of the holiday will hopefully lead naturally into a whole new relationship with my daughter. Both here in Europe and the States.’
Martha nodded thoughtfully. ‘And where does her mother fit into this scenario? What do you hope to happen with her? The woman who neglected to tell you about your daughter.’
‘Mom, you ask the most impossible questions. I don’t currently have an answer to that one.’ Jack was silent for several seconds. ‘Every time I see her, this huge wave of joy engulfs me. I enjoyed spending last evening with Harriet, it was like old times. We reminisced, we laughed. It was as if I was finally back with the one person who mattered.’ He held up his hand. ‘I know it’s impossible to turn back the clock, but I would like to get close to Harriet again, if she wants to, of course. But right now I intend to concentrate on meeting my daughter and establishing a father-daughter relationship with her. And then,’ he shrugged, ‘we’ll have to see what happens.’
* * *
Gabby sat out on the terrace after her swim enjoying the morning sunshine, while Philippe stayed in the pool for a little while longer. There was a book open in front of her, but her thoughts were all over the place and within minutes she gave a sigh and set the book aside.
This whole thing with Jack Ellicott turning up unexpectedly wanting to meet his daughter was stressing everyone out and she still hadn’t found the time or the opportunity to talk to Elodie about her plan to move in with Gazz. Two major things she had no control over. Thinking about the problems that were outside of her control was so frustrating, she’d be better concentrating on her own immediate problems. Like what to do about the brush pot that was still in the cave. Should she sell it or keep it in the family? Was keeping it in the villa now she knew its value feasible though? The house insurance would be sure to go through the roof. Was the fact that it had been in the family for so long enough for her to keep it? After all, she hadn’t seen it for forty years. The chances of it surviving for another forty years without being chipped or accidentally damaged were probably quite low. Besides, if the auctioneers who had suggested the possible price it would fetch were right all those years ago, the money could be better employed.
Gabby sighed. She’d take a couple of photographs later and ask Colette to contact the expert she knew. It was always possible the original auctioneer had made a mistake. It was safe enough for now down in the cave, out of sight, out of mind. If the second valuation came back at a similar figure, she’d decide then what to do.
‘Gabriella,ma cherie, you look very serious,’ Philippe said as he climbed out of the pool and began to towel himself dry.
‘I’m frustrated at not being able to sort things out,’ Gabby said. ‘This whole Jack business is dragging on. It’s not only Elodie who wants to meet him, I do too. I can’t decide whether I’m going to like or hate him for making my daughter pregnant and not being around afterwards.’
‘Which wasn’t his fault,’ Philippe said softly. ‘I think now he does know he wants to try to make amends.’
‘And that could bring a whole host of new problems.’ Gabby sighed. ‘Sorry. I’m being pessimistic, which isn’t normally like me.’
Philippe finished drying himself and came over to sit next to her. ‘I’ve news that may cheer you up. We’ve received our invitation to the viewing of the show apartment in Hotel Provençal. Two o’clock the last Thursday in July.’
‘Really? I look forward to that. I wandered down there with Colette the other day, but we couldn’t see anything about a viewing day. I was going to ask if Colette could come with us, but I guess it’s too late now if you’ve received the invitation. There is still not a lot to see, even though some of the hoarding has come down, and there is clearly still a lot to do, but the top half of the building certainly looks very pristine.’
‘Maybe Colette can go another time,’ Philippe said. ‘This viewing is definitely just for you and me. And rest assured there will be plenty for us to see. It’s not just the outside of the building that is looking pristine, the inside too is looking spectacular I am told.’
35
Harriet was on the veranda at midday on Saturday trying to concentrate on painting a picture of the Antibes ramparts, her thoughts dominated by Elodie and Jack, when Hugo rang. Julia, his main assistant, had gone home with a bad migraine. ‘Any chance of you working this afternoon?’ he asked.
‘Yes, of course. I’m your emergency girl,’ Harriet replied. It would be good to be busy. Serving customers would be a distraction, taking her thoughts away from everything else that was going on.
‘Thanks. See you later.’
* * *
There was already a queue waiting as Hugo opened up after lunch when Harriet arrived. Within minutes, they were both busy serving customers and it was an hour or two before it calmed down.
