Page 57 of Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky
‘Give them to me and I’ll put them on the hook in the kitchen where Theo keeps all his keys. I’ll take them to the notaire when I go,’ Agnes said, holding out her hand for them.
47
Completion morning and Agnes and Serge found themselves sitting next to each other at the notaire’s. Monsieur Caumont and another notaire with power of attorney, acting for the absent buyer, went through pages and pages of legal jargon requiring initials on every page – either theirs or the new owners or both. It took over an hour to be completed and for the keys to be handed over to the other notaire and for monies to be transferred to bank accounts.
As they left the notaire’s Agnes heaved a sigh of relief. ‘That took a lot longer than I was expecting,’ she said. ‘Buying and selling a house in England is far less complicated at that final stage. All that initialising of paper, and the reading aloud of clause after clause.’ She shook her head. ‘Come on, let’s get back to the cottage. We both deserve a drink.’
Theo had suggested a small celebration party after the notaire’s visit would be good. As he was now officially Serge’s uncle he decided it was his responsibility so he would host it at the cottage.
When Agnes and Serge walked in they found Theo, Edwin, Francine, Zazz, Rachel and Al all waiting impatiently for their arrival. The champagne was in the ice bucket and plates of aperitifs were on the table.
‘So who are the new owners?’ Zazz asked as Theo handed round the champagne. ‘Anyone famous?’
‘No idea,’ Serge answered. ‘They weren’t there. Their notaire had power of attorney and signed everything on their behalf.’
‘As for their name, Monsieur Caumont had difficulty in pronouncing it and I can’t even remember it,’ Agnes said. ‘I daresay we’ll hear eventually but I’m not really interested, to be honest. I’m simply happy that the place is out of my life now, I have some money, Serge has his rightful inheritance and everybody can now move on.’
‘Let’s raise a toast to that,’ Theo said. ‘To new beginnings and our extended family.’
‘New beginnings and our extended family,’ they said as they all clinked glasses.
* * *
Two hours later and the Cortez family had left and Edwin was carrying his and Francine’s suitcases downstairs ready for their departure. Theo had insisted he would drive them to the airport and the luggage was soon being loaded into the car.
Both Francine and Edwin hugged Agnes tight as they said their goodbyes.
‘We’ll see you again soon,’ Francine said. ‘You take care. Don’t let Zazz take advantage.’
‘As if I would,’ Zazz protested as she hugged her mum.
‘Our granddaughter can take advantage of us as much as she likes,’ Theo said, helping Edwin put their suitcases in the car. ‘That’s what grandparents are for. And I, for one, will not complain.’
After watching them drive away, Agnes and Zazz returned indoors. Zazz going straight upstairs for something and a thoughtful Agnes going into the kitchen to make them both a coffee. She’d noticed recently that Zazz was quieter than usual and she guessed that something was bothering her which she was determined to get to the bottom of.
Upstairs in her new bedroom, Zazz picked up a box from the boulangerie she’d bought earlier and gave a happy sigh. She knew Mel’s sofa bed wouldn’t have been that comfy and September was a long way away. Besides, living here for the next few months gave her the opportunity to get to know Theo better in his new role as her grandad, something she was really looking forward to. But first there was something she needed to say to Agnes whilst they were on their own.
Back downstairs she handed Agnes the boulangerie box. ‘I thought we might need cheering up a bit so I’ve bought a couple of strawberry tarts,’ Zazz said, pulling out a kitchen chair and sitting down, Cerise instantly at her side.
‘Gran, I know you and Grandad are really happy but I still feel guilty that I came down here sneakily like Mum says and everything fell apart because of a strand of my hair.’
Agnes gave her a thoughtful look. So that was what was bothering her. ‘If we’d given the notaire the go-ahead for the paternal DNAs to be done it would have fallen apart in a few weeks anyway,’ Agnes said. ‘Honestly, Zazz, it is good the truth has come out. Please don’t give it another moment’s thought. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been and so is your grandad. We’re both very grateful to that strand of your hair. Eat your tart.’
Zazz stared at it her. ‘You just called me Zazz, not Jasmine.’
‘You can thank your grandfather and Denice. They both told me I should call you what you wanted to be called. I was apparently showing my age by insisting on using your proper name and not going with the modern nickname.’
Zazz got up and hugged her. ‘Thank you.’
They’d finished their coffee and tarts when Zazz’s mobile buzzed. Dominic.
‘Excuse me, Gran.’ Zazz said, standing up and going out into the courtyard.
Agnes watched her fondly. Dominic was a lovely lad and clearly very fond of Zazz. She had a good feeling about that relationship.
* * *
Zazz was out with Dominic, and Theo and Agnes were eating a late supper out in the courtyard under a full moon, later that day, when Theo said, ‘There is one loose end we still have to tie up before we are completely free of Oscar.’
