Page 11 of A Noble Affair
He wasn’t used to indulging in such morose reflections, so he shook it off and walked over to his suitcase to take out a shirt for the evening. On his way across the room, he suddenly paused, struck by a thought. He picked up his cell phone and dialed.
“Bonsoir, Isabelle, it’s your uncle,” he said, when he heard a young woman answer the phone.
“Oncle,” she squealed, dropping her heavily-accented English for her mother tongue. “Where are you calling me from?”
“I’m in London. Your mother asked me to look in on you to see what mischief you’re getting up to.”
“Je suis sage comme une image,” she retorted pertly. “Innocent as you please.”
“I thought I might come to Cambridge tomorrow afternoon for a visit if you’re free.”
“Oh.” She was clearly taken aback. “I, um…I’m free, but I promised to work in the soup kitchen all afternoon. I don’t suppose you want to join me for that?”
“That sounds like a perfect way to spend the afternoon,ma filleule. I’m pleased that you’re getting involved in such a noble undertaking. I think I’ll come.” He smiled, waiting for more.
“Oooh. Uncle Charles, you called my bluff,” she said, with her usual gaiety. “If you must know, I’m going along with a new…friend. We know each other from class, and he’s invited me to go with him. To be perfectly frank, I don’t wish to scare him off right from the beginning by having my imposing godfather come along.”
“Ah, so I’m imposing, am I?” Charles laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t come and frighten him away. He’s English then, I’m assuming?”
“Actually, um, he’s…Nigerian.” It sounded like she was cringing over the phone. “I don’t suppose you approve.”
“Why do you need my approval? You’re a grown woman—or nearly so—and you can make your own choices. Plus,” he added, “I’m not nearly as archaic as you think.”
“You don’t let me call you Charlie,” she retorted.
“No one is allowed to call me Charlie,” he said calmly.
“ExceptMaman.” He could hear the mischievous grin in her voice.
Charles said, “Your mother only thinks she can because she’s older than me, but that doesn’t make it true.”
There was a pause and Isabelle’s voice grew serious, “But Grand-mèreisarchaic, isn’t she?”
“I’m afraid Grand-mère is.”
“So you won’t tell her or my mother just yet,” she pleaded, “not until I’m more sure of my feelings?”
“Of course I won’t, silly creature. When have I ever been a tattle-tale?” He always made her laugh when he used childhood slang. It was so strange coming out of his mouth.
“I suppose I should get going,” he continued. “I just wanted to check in with you. I’ll tell Louis you send kisses.”
“If you want,” she said. “But we text all the time, you know.” He hadn’t known, and was surprised, since he and his son never communicated that way.In fact, we rarely communicate at all.
“I’ll send Grand-mère your kisses then.” He paused, adding dryly, “Unless you text her too.” Isabelle just giggled.
“Now I can tell your mother I have faithfully discharged my duty to look in on you.”
“Of course you would never call me on your own volition,” Isabelle said, teasing, but petulant.
“I’m hurt,” Charles shot back. “How can you accuse me of such a thing when I was willing to come serve in the soup kitchen with you?” He thought for a minute before adding, “Come to think of it, this must be an exceptional young man to drive you to altruism.”
Instead of retorting in jest as he expected, her voice turned pensive. “He is. Actually…before you go, thereisa favor I’d like to ask of you, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure. Go ahead.” Isabelle took a deep breath and began laying out her idea.
After they hung up,Charles selected a pink and white checked Alain Figaret shirt and a muted purple silk tie, and laid them on the bed. He began peeling off his jeans and shirt from the day’s trip as he considered Isabelle’s request. The phone on the nightstand rang, interrupting his thoughts, and he went over to pick it up.
“Hello, chéri.” Manon’s animated voice spilled out of the receiver. “I just wanted to let you know that Bruce is also dining at Barney’s Tavern with the director, and he arranged to have us all seated together. I hope you don’t mind.”
