Page 12 of A French Adventure
‘When I stop looking at the view, it’s fine,’ Vivienne said.
Once they were settled on the terrace, glasses of wine on the table in front of them, the bottle in a terracotta cooler, Maxinereached into her handbag and pulled out a book. ‘You missed this one the other day, it was in the bedroom.The Wonder of Jazz– it is, I think, an important book in the history of jazz.’ She held it out to Vivienne. ‘Peut-êtreit help your research?’
‘Thank you,’ Vivienne said, flicking through the pages.
‘But I have another reason for coming this evening to see you. Please come to my garden party. You will enjoy it and meet more people.Peut-êtreyou have ideas for your story too.’
Vivienne sighed. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t pack any clothes suitable for going to a glamorous party for one thing. And for another, I’m not very good with parties where I don’t know anyone.’
‘Pff. All that is nonsense. I take you shopping for a dress. Not expensive – or expensive if you like. You know me and Olivia. My stepson Thierry has messaged to say he is coming, so already there is three people you can talk to. Felicity and Trent, Olivia’s parents, are coming also. You can help me keep the peace between Olivia and her maman!’
Vivienne laughed. ‘You’re not exactly selling me the idea of coming to the party with that job offer. As for shopping for a glamorous dress, I’d probably only wear it once. My life in England isn’t remotely glamorous.’ No need to tell Maxine that it was a life that was about to descend catastrophically into chaos when she returned with even less use for a glamorous dress.
‘All the more reason to seize the opportunity to go to a glamorous party while you are on the Riviera,’ Maxine said. ‘So we go shopping?Oui? I know a little boutique. I get you a good price. I arrange and then afterwards we have lunch.’
Vivienne laughed. ‘Okay, I know when I’m beaten. I will buy a dress and come to your party, thank you.’
‘Bien,’ Maxine said. ‘You and I will have fun shopping.Santé,’ and she raised her glass in Vivienne’s direction.
Before Vivienne could acknowledge and respond, her mobile rang. Natalie.
‘My daughter, will you excuse me, but I need to answer this. Hi, darling, I’m a bit busy right now, can I ring—’ Vivienne stopped as she heard the sound of sobbing. ‘Natalie, are you all right?’
‘No. Tim and I have just been to see Dad.’
‘Ah.’
‘How can he do this to you? To us.’
‘Sadly, it happens to a lot of people. Are you at home now?’
‘Yes. How come you are so laid-back about it? And why didn’t you tell me what was going on?’
‘Because I have no intention of making life easy for your father,’ Vivienne said. ‘Try to put it out of your mind for a while. Maybe a cup of tea, glass of wine, might help to calm you down. I have a friend here right now, but I’ll phone you later this evening and we’ll talk then. Okay?’ She heard Natalie sniff and take a deep breath.
‘Promise?’
‘Of course.’
Vivienne’s shoulders sagged as she pressed the off button. She gave Maxine a rueful smile as she asked, ‘Problems at home? You like me to leave so you can phone your daughter back right away?’
‘No, please don’t leave yet. Have another glass of wine,’ and Vivienne picked up the bottle and topped up both their glasses before looking at Maxine. ‘Jeremy, my husband, drove me to the airport for my flight down here and decided it would be a good time and place to tell me, minutes before I boarded, that he’s been having an affair, intended to leave me and wanted a divorce.’ She took a large drink of her wine. ‘He also seemed to think I’d help him break the news to not only his mother but also our children. I declined and told him to do his own dirty work. Apparently he has now done so, to the children at least. I’m not sure he’s told his mother yet.’
‘Mon Dieu, Vivienne, what a bastard,’ Maxine exclaimed. ‘I hope you punch him on the nose. I’m so sorry your marriage has ended in such a way. No wonder you were in a bad state when you arrived.’
Vivienne laughed. ‘I’m far too British to do something like that in public, but oh how I wanted to. I simply turned my back on him and walked away and haven’t contacted him since, although there have been a couple of messages which I’ve ignored.’ She sighed, remembering the last one. Had Jeremy passed that information on to Natalie and Tim as well? His mother? She pushed the thoughts away.
‘Your daughter, she is upset with her father too?’
Vivienne nodded. ‘I think when it all begins to sink in, she’s also going to be extremely angry with him. As for Tim, my son, I’m sure he will be the same.’
‘But it is not like it is their marriage that has imploded,’ Maxine said gently. ‘They are young and resilient, they will surely be hurt because of his behaviour but in time, they will become used to what he did, become used to their parents living separate lives. It will become the normal way their family is. It is you who will be most affected. I know how hard divorce is, after even a short marriage.’
Vivienne glanced at her, surprised.
Maxine gave her a rueful smile and shrugged. ‘My first marriage, it was a mistake. I was too young and too stupid to realise that he was a control freak and he also had a serious mistress – alcohol.’ Maxine pulled a face. ‘The bruises faded. I recover. You will recover – but it may take some time because of the close family ties that exist between the two of you and bind you together. And because…’ She paused. ‘Because it is hard to recover from emotional pain however old one is, but in mid-life…’ Maxine sighed and closed her eyes, shook her head beforeopening them and saying sadly, ‘I have to warn you, the future can look bleak for a long time.’
10
