Page 54 of Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky
‘No, of course not. That evening in Antibes when we made love I never gave a thought to becoming pregnant.’ Agnes shook her head violently. ‘Oscar, when we were on honeymoon, kept talking about the babies we would make and I believed, like everyone said, that Francine was a honeymoon baby. If I’d known she was yours I’d have told you. It could have changed everything. I wouldn’t have kept it from you.’
‘I didn’t think you would. You and I have always been totally honest with each other. I do wish I’d known about Francine being mine earlier but I am grateful to know now. We’ll have to take this to Monsieur Caumont so he can legally do what is necessary.’ Theo put the letter down on the table.
Agnes gave a weak smile. ‘Not sure what he’s going to make of this new development.’
‘I don’t care what he makes of it,’ Theo said. ‘I couldn’t be happier with the news. I meant what I said the other day – you and Francine have always been my family and now it’s official.’
‘We also have to tell Francine and Jasmine,’ Agnes said. ‘I think Francine will be happy with the news. As for Jasmine, I think your elevation from great-uncle to grandfather will no doubt delight her.’
* * *
Monday morning, and Agnes and Theo made their way to Monsieur Caumont’s office. With no rendez-vous, they told the receptionist that they needed to see the notaire urgently as something had come to light that would alter the way Oscar’s will was dealt with dramatically. Within five minutes they were shown into his office.
‘Thank you for seeing us,’ Agnes said as she held out the envelope. ‘Clearing out Oscar’s papers, in addition to the folder you already know about, Theo found this envelope with my name on it. I finally opened it last night. You need to see the contents.’
Carefully, the notaire took the envelope’s contents out and read them. He looked up at Agnes quizzically as he shook his head. ‘The estate of Monsieur Oscar Agistini continues to throw up yet another surprise. So now, after you receive your legal quarter share of the estate, the remaining three quarters will be inherited by Monsieur Serge Cortez alone. I will notify him of the change to his position now that he is the only child of Oscar Agistini. I think he will be pleased about it. Have you informed Madam Francine Mansell about her changed circumstances yet?’
Agnes shook her head. ‘Non, we plan on doing that later today.’
‘Bon. Do we think this, irregularity shall we call it, with the deceased’s will, is the last?’
‘I sincerely hope so,’ Agnes said.
As the notaire showed them out he turned to Theo with a smile. ‘May I offer you belated congratulations on the safe arrival of your daughter.’
Theo laughed. ‘They are certainly belated but appreciated all the same.’
* * *
Agnes was quiet as she and Theo walked back from the notaire’s. ‘I wonder how Francine will react to losing her inheritance from Oscar,’ she said.
‘I don’t think she will be too upset,’ Theo said pensively. ‘She didn’t have a lot of time for Oscar and has always said she didn’t want anything from him. Her main concern has always been that you should get something, so I think on the whole, she’ll be quite philosophical about it.’
‘Hope so,’ Agnes said. ‘When are we going to tell them?’
‘As soon as possible. Zazz too. We could walk up to the house now if you like, see if they are there.’
‘Let’s do that – and make it my very last visit to the house,’ Agnes said.
Zazz stepped out of the house just as they reached it. ‘Gran. Theo. What are you two doing here? I thought you were never going to darken the door of this house again,’ she said, laughing.
‘This is the last time,’ Agnes said. ‘We need to talk to your maman and you. Are you in a hurry or can you stay for a little while?’
Zazz glanced at her watch. ‘I can hang around for about ten minutes, need to get to the library to do some research before it closes for lunch,’ and she followed them into the house. ‘Hope you haven’t come to tell us about another lost relative. I’m telling you Mum will freak out if you have.’
‘Not exactly,’ Agnes said quietly. Zazz looked at her, surprised, but didn’t say anything. ‘Mum is in the kitchen.’
‘Maman, why are you here?’ Francine jumped up as Agnes walked into the kitchen.
‘I promise you it’s the last time ever,’ Agnes said. ‘Any chance of a coffee?’
‘I’ll do the coffees,’ Zazz said.
‘Agnes and I have just come from the notaire’s,’ Theo said.
‘Oh, what now?’ Francine sighed. ‘Please don’t tell me our buyer is dropping out.’
‘No, it’s not that,’ Agnes said, taking a deep breath. ‘First, I need to take you back to before you were born. I was in love with Theo and he with me and we had one glorious day and evening together as a farewell before I did as my parents insisted and married Oscar.’ She turned to looked at Francine. ‘You remember the envelope you found with my name on it in Oscar’s bureau? I finally opened it last night. It was a letter from Oscar but it also contained the results of a DNA test using a strand of Jasmine’s hair.’ Agnes stopped speaking and took a deep breath. Before she could continue, Theo took hold of her hand and began to speak.
