Page 27 of Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky
‘I think I’ll do that, especially as I’ve now got some urgent editing and proofreading to do for work. I’ve met up with an old friend too, Piers. He’s got a cafe in town and he owns the most beautiful boat. I had a glass of wine with him on board the other evening, I can’t wait to introduce the two of you. I think you’ll get on.’
‘Look forward to meeting him. I’d better let you go. Give my love to Zazz and Agnes. My arrival time on the Friday is about four fifteen. Love you.’
‘Love you too. See you soon,’ and Francine ended the call feeling a lot happier knowing that Edwin was coming to join them. She’d concentrate on getting her editing dealt with and then when Edwin got here they could tackle clearing the house together. And for the first time she could show him the sights of her hometown. Something she realised she was going to enjoy.
* * *
It took Zazz less than an hour to sweep and wash the yard down and clean the patio set later that afternoon. Next, she weeded the plant tubs with lemon trees, roses and a crimson bougainvillea, before giving them all a good soaking that they looked to be in dire need of. Job done. Supper under the stars could be on the agenda from now on.
Francine was in the kitchen writing a shopping list when Zazz went back indoors. ‘Dad is coming on Friday, isn’t that great?’ she said. ‘Thought I’d better get some food in. We can’t keep eating out or going down to Theo’s. In fact, we can have them up here for dinner.’ She stopped when she saw the look on Zazz’s face. ‘Or maybe not, the way Maman feels about this house. But I can take stuff down and cook it at Theo’s. Can’t expect him to feed all of us all the time.’
‘I’m eating with Mel tonight,’ Zazz said. ‘I think too now that you know, and I know I’m staying in the house, I need to try and get my work and life routine sorted for when you’ve left. I have to remember I’m not on holiday. Maybe just meet up with you guys a couple of nights a week instead of lunch every day as well as dinner?’ She looked at Francine, hoping that she would understand her need to get her new life organised and not just drift around.
‘I understand what you’re saying and why but now that Dad will be joining us at the weekend, it would be good to eaten famillewhilst he is here?’ Francine said. ‘Once we leave you’ll be on your own.’
‘Okay. Breakfast every day together and then let the day’s plans decide about dinner,’ Zazz said.
‘So tomorrow?’
‘Tomorrow Mel has suggested I shadow her for the day and maybe get some ideas for features and content for my Instagram, so we’ll probably get lunch somewhere and then in the evening I’ve planned on going to the cinema.’ Zazz smiled at her mum. ‘And Friday night is out as the Cortez’s are coming.’
‘You certainly seem to be settling in down here. Mel seems a good friend already.’
‘She certainly is.’
‘So how about Saturday night dinner somewhere nice with everyone?’ Francine said.
‘Cool. Sounds like a plan. Enjoy your shopping. See you later.’ And Zazz disappeared upstairs to her room.
26
When Zazz ran down rue Saint Antoine and crossed the road making for the Allées de la Liberté the next morning she could see Mel already waiting for her by the statue of the Englishman, Lord Brougham.
‘I love this part of Cannes,’ Zazz said, looking at the statue and the water feature in front of it and the people milling around. ‘I wonder what he would think about history calling him the father of Cannes. Would he even recognise the place now?’
Mel laughed. ‘I doubt it and definitely not in the next few weeks.’ Zazz gave her a puzzled look.
‘The Film Festival begins soon and the place will go a little mad. The hoardings are already going up all over town. Cleaning the red carpet will be next.’
‘I’d forgotten about the festival,’ Zazz admitted.
‘Have you been down on a Sunday morning yet when there’s a brocante and artisan market here?Non? You should, lots of ideas and people to interview for features,’ Mel said.
‘Maybe next Sunday,’ Zazz said. ‘Where are we going first today?’
‘An apartment on rue d’Antibes. It’s one I’ve just taken on the management of and I need to check it out. The first rentals are due in tomorrow.’
Ten minutes later, after Mel had introduced Zazz to the concierge, they were in a lift going up to the sixth floor of a large apartment block. Stepping out on to a hallway with several doors on either side, Mel made for one near the end of the hallway and unlocked the door.
‘This apartment is quite luxurious. There’s a sitting room, two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and balcony, and,’ Mel said, opening the patio doors onto the balcony and stepping out, ‘a sea view out over the Croisette. I think this is going to be a popular rental with my clients. Now, the cleaner was here yesterday so let’s check she’s done a good job. Everything has to be spotless, so we need to check this list.’
It was twenty minutes before Mel declared everything to be to her satisfaction and they locked up the apartment and left. ‘You do this for every apartment every time it’s rented?’ Zazz asked.
Mel nodded. ‘And when there are three or four changeovers on the same day, it gets pretty busy.’
‘I can imagine,’ Zazz said.
‘I’m slowly building up a really good team of cleaners though and that’s half the battle. The next apartment is in an old Belle Epoque villa about two streets away. Come on, there’s a good cafe nearby, we can get a spot of lunch afterwards.’
